Hello everyone,

Just picked up an '02 F150 Super Crew Heritage that's in really good shape for its age, except for the engine(5.4l VIN L). I am told that it had frozen and popped a freeze plug then was driven till it got hot enough to quit and has been sitting since then (about 10 months).

I am an A&P mechanic and have rebuilt a half dozen or so car and truck engines and have shop space.

What are some of the quirks of the 5.4 that I should be aware of?

I would like some advice whether to rebuild the engine I have or just buy a reman?

Thanks,
William

 

I'd pull the engine out and take it apart and see just how bad it is, then make a decision.

 

I've rebuilt several old chevys and one pontiac V8 but know very little about the 5.4. One thing I do remember reading is that the head bolts and maybe others are torqued until they stretch so they are one use bolts. I'm fairly sure the block is cast iron and the heads are aluminum.

You could be looking at a cracked block since it froze. Won't know until you look at it carefully. Overheating the engine doesn't do the transmission any good either.