goodgollyjosh
XS650 Addict
So, I decided to fix the leaky right side exhaust manifold gasket on my '07 F150 5.4L. Well, even after soaking the nuts in penetrating oil days early I still snapped a stud off in the head. It was below the surface and impossible to reach or even see for that matter. Not to mention the truck is 4x4.
So, after much thought that included copious amounts of wine and cigars I decided to yank the head because I'm too picky to let something like that go. Then I figured might as well do chains, guides, and tensioners while I am in there since this engine is prone to blown out tensioner O-rings which in turn cause the cam phasers to rattle (and I was approaching 100K miles on the truck).
Then, I figured well two head gaskets come in the set, might as well yank the other head at the same time. Finally, I came to the conclusion that if I resurface the leaking manifold and reinstall it more than likely it will just warp again in the future since this is another common problem with this motor so I said why not throw on a set of factory fit headers and be done with it.
I was pulling an all nighter Saturday at the shop and became fatigued after working 16 hours straight on this truck when I accidentally knocked the plastic intake manifold off the work bench and it broke...DAMN! Well, went home and slept it off and came back Sunday with a clear mind and kept plugging away on this blue oval.
I am glad to report after an entire weekend of bustin knuckles and much money spent that my exhaust leak is fixed. Not sure how something so minor got turned into a whole teardown but sometimes it sucks having OCD.
In case your asking yourself, isn't that the three valve engine that is prone to breaking spark plugs off in the head because someone thought it was a good idea to make them a two piece design? Why yes it is lol. So, I changed those as well while I had the heads on the bench. A nifty tip on the 5.4...remove the plugs with an impact. I know it sounds crazy but they never break. Try to remove them slowly with a ratchet and penetrating oil and they will snap on you 50% of the time.
Despite my crazy weekend, I still love my Ford!
So, after much thought that included copious amounts of wine and cigars I decided to yank the head because I'm too picky to let something like that go. Then I figured might as well do chains, guides, and tensioners while I am in there since this engine is prone to blown out tensioner O-rings which in turn cause the cam phasers to rattle (and I was approaching 100K miles on the truck).
Then, I figured well two head gaskets come in the set, might as well yank the other head at the same time. Finally, I came to the conclusion that if I resurface the leaking manifold and reinstall it more than likely it will just warp again in the future since this is another common problem with this motor so I said why not throw on a set of factory fit headers and be done with it.
I was pulling an all nighter Saturday at the shop and became fatigued after working 16 hours straight on this truck when I accidentally knocked the plastic intake manifold off the work bench and it broke...DAMN! Well, went home and slept it off and came back Sunday with a clear mind and kept plugging away on this blue oval.
I am glad to report after an entire weekend of bustin knuckles and much money spent that my exhaust leak is fixed. Not sure how something so minor got turned into a whole teardown but sometimes it sucks having OCD.
In case your asking yourself, isn't that the three valve engine that is prone to breaking spark plugs off in the head because someone thought it was a good idea to make them a two piece design? Why yes it is lol. So, I changed those as well while I had the heads on the bench. A nifty tip on the 5.4...remove the plugs with an impact. I know it sounds crazy but they never break. Try to remove them slowly with a ratchet and penetrating oil and they will snap on you 50% of the time.
Despite my crazy weekend, I still love my Ford!
And a set of spark plugs once a year... 
