i have a chance to buy an '01 f250 with the 5.4 that has a stripped plug hole..

[al010101]

as the subject line says, i have the opportunity to purchase a '00 or '01 (don't remember) f250, it's a 2wd, regular cab, 225k miles, has the 5.4 litre v-8 gas motor, the pass. side rear spark plug hole is stripped, truck still runs but...no plug so it runs rough obviously. book time says 14.6hrs to swap the head....because you have to remove the motor. is this a common issue? any easier way to fix it? if i could get in there, i'd just take weld the plug in place lol! but i don't know how long that would work. it'd just be an around town work truck....pass fender is dented, front bumper is tweaked, bed has it's share of dings/dents....clear title...1100$...what do you guys think?

i love my psd but, i'd like to make it nicer, not romp on it as a work truck, hence the thought of the gasser.

 

[bushpilot]

what about a HELICOIL or some other kinda "thread-cert"
Helicoil | Thread Repair Kits | Helicoil Inserts | POP Rivets | Blind Rivets | Inserts for Plastics | Brass Inserts

 

[al010101]

can't even get to where the plug hole is, and it's about 4-5" deep :-x

 

[big_rooster]

Sure why not if all you do is repair it and resale it you'll make a killing with low miles like that. From what i hear yes you gotta pull the motor to replace the head easy enough if you got the time and the tools.

 

[bushpilot]

can't even get to where the plug hole is, and it's about 4-5" deep :-x

then dont buy it ! you asked our opinions and we offered up suggestions...
ow youll have to decide

 

[al010101]

then dont buy it ! you asked our opinions and we offered up suggestions...
ow youll have to decide

wow thanks for that usefull post.

i wasn't insulting you, i was simply responding to the heli coil idea.....whats your issue?

 

[RenoF250]

Yes, it is all too common for the 5.4L, a woman at work had it happen to their V10 as well. HeliCoiling is a common way of fixing it and much easier than pulling the head not sure how you would get it in there though. It is common enough there may be a custom tool for it. Wait, what do you know:
HeliCoil - Sav-A-Thread HT® - Ford 5.4 and 4.6 Liter Spark Plug Thread Repair

But I guess Ford says it is a no no:
15815
Do not repair spark plug port threads in aluminum cylinder heads-
Unapproved usage of helicoil for serice
Some engines equipped with aluminum cylinder heads may exhibit spark plug port(s) with stripped or missing threads, "Do not" service stripped or missing spark plug port threads by using "helicoil" or "tapersert" repair kits. It is likely that additonal engine damage or engine failure will occur after an unsuccesful atttempt to service the cylinder head spark plug reports with "helicoil" or taperset. The only authorized service procedure is to replace the cylinder the cylinder head assembly when spark plug port threads are damaged is to replace the cylinder head assembly when spark plug port threads are damaged and in need of service, refer, to the pertinent workshop manual (section 303-1) for cylinder head removal and installation procedures. Note: When servicing spark plugs for any reason , do not use air or powertools and take care to ensure that spark plugs to not crossthread.

But then again they are the nitwits that made the crappy head.

I don't think you would get hurt at $1,100 but I would try to get him down even more.

Worst that happens is you ruin the head. I would think that at 225k the engine is pretty tired anyway.

Also, you could just sit on the truck until they finally get Ford to recall it and then get it fixed for free.

 

[al010101]

thanks, i'll check into that helicoil, but at 203$...ouch, i've sourced a good head for 30$, it's just...putting it on isn't a quick and/or easy job. i was figuring at the price, i wouldn't be to deep in, it's a friend of mine...he paid 1100 for it, and hasn't gotten around to fixing it, so he offered it to me for the 1100..gave me 2 days to let him know then he's going to put it up for 2k..i know he wouldn't go any less.


What i had thought is pulling the intake, and pulling the dash out, then cutting a hole in the firewall behind the dash to get in there....would be a lot easier than pulling the motor, if the hole would give me enough room to either find a way to get the plug in there (helicoil, tack weld, etc..), or to remove the head, with the hole giving me rear access....without removing the whole motor from the truck.

 

[RenoF250]

Dash work sucks big time, I would rather pull an engine. Also, you will have a hole that will let engine noise in.
I would also be concerned that the good head would fail as well. The HeliCoil'd head is stronger than stock so if I bought the tool I might HeliCoil all 8. The other option is too find a mechanic with the tool to do the job. You just have to make sure you get the shavings out.

 

[patrickc]

I recently did a 5.4 motor job in a van and there is not too much clearance since the 5.4 is a 90 degree V-8. I can't see their being much more clearance in a pick-up. I would say that if you are going to pull the motor it is easier and quicker to pull the front clip off the truck. It will save alot of time unbolting/bolting up the exhaust manifolds (which are held on by studs and nuts) and engine components.