2004-2006 Ford 5.4 engine

Cool Hand Lurker

Cool Hand Lurker

Well-known member
Engine is starting to make valve noise and occasionally slips into what sounds like the old hit-and-miss engines. Probably the cam phaser mechanism. Will any other engines work to replace the 2004-2006 F150 5.4 with about 140,000 miles?
 
Cool Hand Lurker said:
Engine is starting to make valve noise and occasionally slips into what sounds like the old hit-and-miss engines. Probably the cam phaser mechanism. Will any other engines work to replace the 2004-2006 F150 5.4 with about 140,000 miles?
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...whew ...

Have you had it diagnosed? It would have to be replaced by a good take-out or reman because of the ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM and FED/STATE emissions laws. I would think it to be easier and cheaper to go through it.

- https://driveceladon.com/ford-5-4l-triton-v8-engine-problems/
 
I don't know how long it will last but if I put Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas it helps a bit. I have been told by another owner that changing the oil more frequently helps. I had the spark plugs changed a couple of years ago and they came out OK except for a couple. I followed the method of first warming up the engine, then tightening the sparkplugs a tiny bit just to break the seal, then shooting the threads with PBblaster and letting it set for about an hour. Then most of the plugs came out easier.

I really want this truck to be my last one. I hate to get into a newer truck with LCD screens that have all the directions for every function, that you can't read or set while driving. And the buzzers, dingers, chimes that are always going off. And the traction control that makes it impossible to drive in snow if you learned how to really drive in it years ago. I'm 84. I want to enjoy driving with ME in control of the truck. And yes, it is only two wheel drive, no problem.


Has anybody here done a Ford 5.4-to-Cummins diesel conversion? I hear that swap is a real problem-solver that will work for years.
 
The diesel swap would cost a bunch of money, add a lot of weight to the frontend, most likely require a stronger transmission as well as not meet the EPA requirements to get it licensed to drive. For the cost of this alone you could find a qualified shop to replace the engine with a Ford reman and get a real warranty with it
 
Cipher On These With Morning Coffee (and JD) -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MARIUcyEnSk

https://www.ford-trucks.com/how-tos/a/ford-f150-how-to-fix-cam-phasers-429633

https://www.wmsracing.com/wmsweb/bi...w-sct-x4-and-tune-4-6-and-5-4-3v-details.html

If unable to do it yourself, the problem will be finding an honest qualified shop. If you take it to a dealer it will ride a cash service order and they will stick you.

Have or perform #1 above done first to see if the engine needs to be gone into or replaced.
 
craig said:
The diesel swap would cost a bunch of money, add a lot of weight to the frontend, most likely require a stronger transmission as well as not meet the EPA requirements to get it licensed to drive. For the cost of this alone you could find a qualified shop to replace the engine with a Ford reman and get a real warranty with it
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Thank you, you answered a couple of questions that were in my mind. Good advice, too.
 
I preferred the 2-valve modular engines. They had fixed cams and were less troublesome. They didn't have as much torque but they weren't all that far behind. They were used along with the new 3-valve set up in 2004 for F150s but that was the last year for the 2-valve.
 
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rotorwrench said:
I preferred the 2-valve modular engines. They had fixed cams and were less troublesome. They didn't have as much torque but they weren't all that far behind. They were used along with the new 3-valve set up in 2004 for F150s but that was the last year for the 2-valve.
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Thanks for that info! I wonder if the 2-valve, fixed cam 2004 engine would just drop into my 2006 F150 to replace the 3-valve, cam phaser engine? That engine was used 2004-2006 F150 trucks, so maybe that switch is possible?
 
The 2v will bolt up to the trans, but the pcm and wiring are different. It would be a nightmare to swap
 
craig said:
The 2v will bolt up to the trans, but the pcm and wiring are different. It would be a nightmare to swap
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!!! AMEM !!!​

You would need a donor. Much quicker and easier ($$$) to bite the bullet w GENUINE FORD PARTS and somebody who knows what the hell they are doing and can trust them (IMO)
 
Reman 5.4 is around $2500, reman 4.6 is around $3200, diesel is off the wall, driving mine until it drops is $-0-..... so I think I will choose the last alternative. Then tow it home and then put in the reman 5.4 original engine.


Thanks for all the responses!
They were all good and right on spot. :)
 
When you do install a remanufactured engine check if your engine is a Windsor or Romeo engine. Your local Ford dealer can run what they call an oasis report and that will tell you.
I may be wrong but my recollection is there were two versions of the 5.4.
 
There actually three versions of the 4.6 and 5.4 engines. There are 2-valve, 3-valve, and 4-valve versions. The only major problems on these are the plastic intake manifolds on the earlier ones and those cam timing actuators on the later ones.
 
1942deluxe said:
When you do install a remanufactured engine check if your engine is a Windsor or Romeo engine. Your local Ford dealer can run what they call an oasis report and that will tell you.

I may be wrong but my recollection is there were two versions of the 5.4.
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GOOD INFO!

WINDSOR, ESSEX and/or ROMEO -

The 2-valve 5.4 Triton engines were built at the Windsor Engine Plant until Ford moved the production to the Essex Engine plant starting in 2003. However, Ford took back the decision, and the production was taken took the Windsor plant again in 2009.

The high-performance 4-valve engines were built at the Romeo engine plant and were hand-assembled.
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SOURCE - https://dustrunnersauto.com/ford-5-4l-v8-triton-everything-you-need-to-know/
 
oldbugger said:
had some of the same issues you have. I changed to 20-50 and most issues disappeared.
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Thanks for the info. And I just had a conversation with another local friend who had the same issues and just changed the oil, with the same results.
I would like to say that I am going out to change the oil right away but Minnesota is on freeze-down, lock-down since the beginning of the week. Truck sits outside, minus zero temps, 7" snow, doors frozen shut for five days now. Bummmmmer !!
 
i started by changing the cam actuators, didn't make a difference, but 20-50 did. good luck, cold here too up to 20" coming tonite and tommorrow.
 
Ahhh.... you are on the shore of Lake Michigan with the lake effect snow! And the wind will be coming from the lake. Go buy groceries, quick!
 
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