The point is moot. The origional question asked about 'new' engines. New 5.4L's do not have the piston slap issue, it has been solved..

The number of engines that did experience this was a very small %..



------------------
Y2K F250 XLT SC 4x2 5.4L 5sp 4.10LS

 

Mr. Bess,
How sure are of this?? I know two guys that have 2000 F-250's that have build dates of September 1999 and have engine knocking problems. Bugman.

 

The 5.4 problems are rare. I've had none. I think it all boils down to what your going to use the truck for and your personality. I have a big 4X4 and like power, so I got the 5.4, but haven't done any mods and probably won't (I've got mustang's for that!). If your big into mods and power/speed get the 5.4 engine.

On the other hand, if you want to get from point A to B and gas milage is a concern, the 6-cylinder may work fine.

------------------
1998 F-150 SC 4X4, 5.4, ORP, Red clearcoat, K&N, Chrome push guard, roll bar & tube side steps, Smoke bug guard and tail light covers, Black bed mat & Ford mud flaps.
www.wrtc.com/oldbook/Truck5.jpg

 

Dusty, The chances of 25 of 25 motors failing are so astronomical I'm not even going to mess with you. The one thing about the internet is people think they can pack anything they want up your *** and use it to prove their point. I would write a check to the right Ford Empolyee in engine development to come on this site with the numbers and the facts on units mfg'd and those that have failed to shut you whinny turncoats up so the new members on this site can enjoy their trucks!!!!!! We have people writing in about strange ticking noises they hear from the exhaust system as it cools. We have others mistaking simple tapet noise for the slap. They log on here with pride and are then shot down by posts of law suits over imagined slap problems. Those of you that think the slap has not been fixed yet must have no clue what even causes it. It's gone!! Do you think this is the first time a mfg's delt with this problem. They know the cause and the fix and if you think they have not done that yet your a moron! This is their number one selling vehicle period. And yes I do believe some units were effected but the problems fixed. Let the rest of us enjoy our trucks with a little pride.

------------------
1999 F150 XLT 4X4 S/C,5.4,Wht,ORP,Pwr seats,Infinity/Alpine, Nerf Bars, Glasstite Targa Sport Topper, K&N, Tow Pkg.

 

Bugman,
Very sure.. You generically state 'knocking sound'. Are you meaning 'piston slap'? or something else.. I know the 'piston slap' issue is solved..
There are some normal sounds that the 5.4L makes (and the V10) that some folks mistake as 'spark knock' or 'detonation'.
One reason is because the above terms are overused, and it is often difficult to describe a sound..


------------------
Y2K F250 XLT SC 4x2 5.4L 5sp 4.10LS

 

Something Shady's going down with this Bugman guy. It is like he/she (I don't know) has a life passion for destroying the 5.4. That there is not one good one out there, or, that the whole 5.4 engine is bad.
What's up with this? You obviosly have a better engine in mind, right? What the Dodge 5.9, the Chevy 5.3? You think these engines are better. I am not going to waste my time to bombard you with the overwelming praise the 5.4 has recieved over these engines. But, if you ask me, it sounds like you are one of those people who would sue McDonald's for you spilling hot Coffee on yourself. Your crusade is pointless in anybodys mind with common sense, which these days is not to common. I don't care what a biased MotorTrend magazine thinks, or any other magazine. When it comes to trucks, there are facts, and I think you've been mislead like a politician during a campaign. And, what's with these bogus numbers of how many 5.4's are plaqed with the "Slap". With numbers as high as you talk, USA Today or Consumer Reports would have a field day, if they were true. Let me ask you, can you say one positive remark about the best selling truck in America's 5.4 engine? And, do you think there is a better one out there?

 

Mr Rathburn
The units were built very close to one another,(the serial numbers are within 300). In fact all of the motors were manufactured December of 1998 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is my understanding that it is only the Windsor moters that are developing the problems up to May of 1999. I am not against the 5.4l just the ones that have problems that were identified by Ford juring the first year they were produced. The 5.4l way out performed the 4.6l in our work (Construction)I own a 1993 F150 E-cab with the 302 4x4. My company truck is a 1995 Ford 150 E-cab 4x4 with the 351M with 385,000km(240,000miles) with absolutly no engine problems in either. I am a Ford man from the time I was a kid. My Father used to be a salesman for a Delership in Regina in the late 60's and early 70's. When the Mustang ruled the roads. I see the problems with these motors as a result of the design process being fast tracked. It also should be noted that I have not seen or heard of any problems with the Windsor motors manufactured after May 1999

 

Dusty, I understand where your coming from on the serial numbers/date of mfg. That makes sense. Piston slap would be more of a out of tolerance issue than one of design! The design is what all the acclaim has been for! Ford was first to put a high tech overhead cam motor in a big truck. This motor was designed to last.... err Ford Tough I think is the correct wording.

------------------
1999 F150 XLT 4X4 S/C,5.4,Wht,ORP,Pwr seats,Infinity/Alpine, Nerf Bars, Glasstite Targa Sport Topper, K&N, Tow Pkg.

 

Mr.or Mrs. Fordby4,
I have nothing against the 5.4 engine but, what I have against, is Ford knowledge that for years they knew about the design flaw of the pistons and did nothing about it until people like me and other good people on this site stood up and did something about it. It's people like us that voice our opinion to get something changed that is wrong. I'm by far not a whistle blower but, when my dealer and Ford try to give me the run around about a bad engine especially, when I just spent $30,000 dollars on one of their vehicles and especially when they knew about the problems with these engines, I'm going to say something about it and tell other people about it to try to help them out. That's what I'm about. How about you?? Bugman.

 

Dusty, You know what else I just thought of looking back over your post. My orig motor was replaced do to the leak and thought to have the slap (by me anyway) and it was mfg'd in December of 98 also!! My replacement was from 12/99 and runs like a top. My apologies "it could happen". I supose I stick up for Ford because they treated me real good! My new motor took a week, it was new not rebuilt and the Dealer, Phil Long Ford did a fantastic job on the install and provided a free loaner. You also own some nice Fords!!!


------------------
1999 F150 XLT 4X4 S/C,5.4,Wht,ORP,Pwr seats,Infinity/Alpine, Nerf Bars, Glasstite Targa Sport Topper, K&N, Tow Pkg.

 

Just wanted to thank everyone for your opinions on this subject. I was at a ford dealer yesterday and noticed the two supercrews in stock had 4.6 motors in them. Does anybody know who is the supplier for the pistons for the 5.4? Is it trw? I'm assuming that's the problem and I doubt its a problem with the block boring process. I can remember in the early 70's international had this problem with small V-8's in the half ton pickups and did not replace these engines with piston slap. I'm leaning toward the 5.4 and will need to decide by this week. Thanks again. Bill

 

Here's what I will order
2001 Supercrew XLT 2 wheel drive
5.4 or 4.6 motor (wish it could be a deisel)
Deep wedgewood blue/silver
Dark graphite int.
Appearance Pkg. (like that grill better)
Trailer tow pkg.
Power drivers seat
Limited slip axle
cab steps
keyless entry
lower two-tone paint
6-disc cd changer
Captains chairs and console
5-spoke cast aluminum wheels
P255/70R16SL OWL tires
Will let you all know what the sticker is and
what my final drive out price will be
Thanks.

 

Ordered today 2001 Supercrew
Retail sticker 29,915
paid 28,995 drive out with Tax and title, L
ETA 6-8 weeks
with 5.4

 

Mr Rathburn
Boy, is my face red. I just got a new company truck 2000 F150, 4x4, 5.4l, S/C, nerf bars, XLT Loaded! It seems that since the last time I wrote our accountant only told me about what the 2 wheel drives were. GMC all of the 4x4's are Fords (18). It seems that with fleet maintenance costs the Fords have a higher rating. Again I am embarassed but am very happy with my new Ford. Also do you have any of those cracks in the doors with your 1999? Of our company trucks(1999) we have a few small ones developing.

 

Dusty, So far no crack. I will keep my fingers crossed because I can see the flex in the door skin when the window goes up. I'm sure it's just a matter of time. My Father-in-law has a Chevy Blazer that has the tire on the swing out mount on the back and it has a huge 4" rusty flex crack from the way it makes the tailgate flex when closing. Seeing that made me feel a little better! Man what I wouldn't give to have a smagy big truck given to me from my Employer!!!

------------------
1999 F150 XLT 4X4 S/C,5.4,Wht,ORP,Pwr seats,Infinity/Alpine, Nerf Bars, Glasstite Targa Sport Topper, K&N, Tow Pkg.