Question about the 10th gen F-150 5.4L spark plug issue

I was hauling a load of lumber near Spokane when my '04 F-150 started running rough and lost power. I pulled over and found cylinder 8 had blown its plug out of the head, stripping the threads. Everyone online said to just use a thread insert kit, but I didn't trust it. I took the head off and had a machine shop weld and re-drill the hole, which cost me $450 and two days. Has anyone else gone this route instead of the quick fix?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_rose8d ago

Man, that whole mess reminds me of my buddy's old Chevy. He kept patching the exhaust with soda cans and hose clamps instead of just welding it, lol. Every time we hit a bump, another piece would fall off and sound like a gunshot. He probably spent more on duct tape and swear words than a real fix would've cost.

allen.drew8d ago

Good on you for doing it right. That quick insert fix is a band-aid on a broken leg. People want the cheap fix now, but they never think about the heat and pressure that cylinder sees. Welding and re-drilling is the only real repair. It costs more up front, but you won't be doing it again in six months. Too many folks trade a big future problem for a small immediate convenience.