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

[Maxtor]

Here is my two cents... 225K miles is high miles for a gas engine, plus transmission, brakes, wheel bearings, differential, etc. If you do not want to put any money into the truck, then if I were you, I would pass on the deal. If you want the truck, then prepare for repairs and repair costs. My best guess by reading your questions, is that you do not have very much mechanical experience. Therefore I would get a mechanic to do the job of putting the helicoil in.
Good luck on whatever you do.

 

[JLDickmon]

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.

that's about as close to how they do it in the dealership as you're going to get.

what I've seen, is they'll lift the body off the chassis, then service the powertrain sans sheetmetal interference.

Ford doesn't want you to Helicoil the head because if you don't get it square, you're going to have a leak past the seat of the spark plug that will continually destroy the COP assembly.

the way I see it, you have three choices
1. pass
2. put a boneyard head on it and turn it ASAP
3. put a lower mileage boneyard engine in it and figure it out from there

 

[bushpilot]

wow thanks for that usefull post.

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

my issue is folks are offering you solutions and you keep
looking for a CHEAPER way out...when you KNOW there
isnt one.

helicoil, replace the head & pay the labor or pass on the truck

 

[F350DRW1]

These engines and the V-10 triton had a nasty habit of spitting plugs. You can pull the fender, fender well, hood, etc. and access. Heli-coil is probably your best bet. Use plenty of grease on the helicoil tap, take your time, and you won't get much shavings in the cylinder. Happy wrenching!

 

[RenoF250]

my issue is folks are offering you solutions and you keep
looking for a CHEAPER way out...when you KNOW there
isnt one.

helicoil, replace the head & pay the labor or pass on the truck

You made your comment after two posts, seemed pretty uncalled for to me. Also, he was only saying why he did not want to HeliCoil, there was never a comment about cost.

 

[al010101]

You made your comment after two posts, seemed pretty uncalled for to me. Also, he was only saying why he did not want to HeliCoil, there was never a comment about cost.

precisely, i had a harsher comment towards him prior but edited it because i figured it'd just make me look as ignorant as he made himself look.

and maxtor, no i've only been working on automotive and marine applications for 8yrs, 3 in an auto shop, 5 on my own.

i'm fully aware of the choices, i simply thought perhaps you guys would have a better solution, since i knew this was an issue with the v10 and 5.4.

Many of you are far to critical, why even post on the forum...if you're just going to be a dick to someone? don't have the balls to be a jackass to people in public so you take your aggression out on people here? or ? i don't know what a few of your issues are.

However to those who gave decent input (the majority) i do appreciate the input. i've sourced a good head with low miles for 30$ from my junkyard friends...now i just have to decide if i really want to bother with the labor involved.

 

[bushpilot]

i can recommed another forum, if you like....youd probably have
LOTS to complain about over there...

and im sure theyd REALLY light you up !

that SAID, ILL APOLOGIZE, and ill add a few thoughts....

--------------------------------------------------------------

what mechanic hasnt used HELICOILS !?!

i might have been "gruff" but i NEVER called anyone
a "DICK" !?!

when you bought that 30 dollar head i think you
may have forgotten all the GASKETS
youre gonna need, and the new head studs...not
to mention the ANTIFREEZ/COOLANT AND OIL...

can you imagine the work a 225k mile truck is
gonna need...better do a water pump while
your workin on it...and i wonder how long that truck
has been running w/out a PLUG in the hole
(water get in the hole driving it in the rain ?) i wonder
what the ring/cyl. wall condition is like...

and fwiw you shouldnt HAVE TO BUY the ENTIRE helicoil KIT...
FIND someone w/ the KIT and buy just the thread-cert that you need !?!
youre a mechanic surely you know someone that has a kit !

some might not recommend the helicoil...ford wants you to buy
another head (they dont sell helicoil kits)...if the helicoil doesnt
work your out a hell of a lot LESS cash (and effort) and as a
MECHANIC youll be able to make good use of the HELICOIL "KIT"
in the future (if you buy it)...but hey these are just MY opinions...
and thats what PUBLIC forums are all about