Ford mechanic, couple questions….

Anyone is welcome to comment, ‘cept the chevy fan boys

First and foremost, I have a 2001 F150, with the 5.4L, it appears I have a head gasket leak , anyone have any experinces with this, I getting quotes from $1800-3000 to get this fixed, yeah something like almost twice what I was expecting….

Secondly 1999-2004 Mustang convertable (auto most likely) , anything to watch out for? Probably get the 3.8L , (I do remember the Ford 3.8L’s had some issues earlier on, head gasket iirc) possibably the 4.6L, IF I could find a nice one for the right price. Any mustang input is welcome.

I would re-torque the bolts before you do anything. I had this happen on my truck and and so did my brother. My uncle, who is a mechanic told me to re-torque the bolts and that fixed my leak, my brother wasn’t as lucky.

Worst case scenario I have a price of $1500. Normally the valves and seats need to be refinished so that’s in the $1500. If the valves were good the cost would be less. If you want a contact # PM me.

I paid $1200 for mine early spring just to give you a number. Make sure to offer cash
That was a Chevy and it only needed to be done because of the of the radiator fluid GM uses. I heard it corrodes more than does good….I HEARD…no need to jump on me

This is my first and last GM just because of one issue after another. I’m glad I can do some stuff on my own to save ching yet. I could not refuse the price from my father at the time

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I would re-torque the bolts before you do anything. I had this happen on my truck and and so did my brother. My uncle, who is a mechanic told me to re-torque the bolts and that fixed my leak, my brother wasn’t as lucky.

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Sounds well worth the effort, as of now it only leaks after the engine is good and warmed up.

OneStout I’ll take that number for sure pm me

Bret you option may be a little far for me, but I’d like some detail if you could. pm me

OneStout/Bret Did you guys do both side, pretty much I think it’s one side, causing the problem now, but at this cost I think it would be silly not to do both, I do plan keeping the truck for at least 2 more years if not longer

Have you changed the plugs yet? Found out the hard way

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Have you changed the plugs yet? Found out the hard way

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How so what did you find? I ‘m atleast on the second set, can’t remember if this is the second or third set of plugs for sure.

My 01 5.4 blew a plug in Red Wing, right by the Ford dealer. The new plugs have extended threads. It sounds like an old John Deere when you blow a plug

ok gotcha, yeah I’m well aware of that issue, so far so good, I know I asked the dealership about that when they did the plugs, they “seemed” to know nothing of what I was talking about, I assume they used the correct plugs though. The truck actually runs perfect until it warms up a good 20 min. (in this weather)

the plugs are also known for breaking off when you try and change them. The carbon around the elctrode tends to lock them in, there is a tool out there to help remove them after they break.

If you do have to tear into it, hope that the head is not warped. If it is, you may be looking at quite a bit more $$$.

Don’t buy a Mustang, at least a 3.8L or an Automatic. They ride like crap, cheap interior, and handle like poo.

If you go the V8 route, whole different story, that engine makes up for the interior and the handling is still not good, but at least you have some power to play around with. Go for a V8 5 speed and you won’t be disappointed.

I hear ya on the head.

Well on the mustang tip, I’ve heard the auto’s are actually the ones to go for, and with the v8 they can hand;e a lot more power than the 5 speed, the one 5 speed I drove left a lot to be desired, really long and heavy clutch travel.

Don’t get me wrong more power and a 5 speed sound like a good idea, until this year I scoffed at the idea of a V6 convert mustang, but I’m not going to street race it or thrash it through corners. Overall I may just end up wait on the car, and going with at least the V8, because I think I can probably get a lower mileage car in really good condition, for 10 or so.