2001 F150 5.4 swap over per request 😉

[Landsvw]

Went to Bandon and geriatric dog sat for sister. Hehe. Did some fishing and crabbing, but didn’t go riding as was kind of busy with things around her property. Mowing, shoveling gravel, etc. Anyway, she’s back tomorrow, and I’ll head home. Got Boxster key fob at a shop in Portland getting its micro switches soldered on. That’s about it!

[Landsvw]

Rearranging my shop to put my generator in the corner and run it’s exhaust out the back wall. Will also do a disconnect in some way so if our power goes out again this winter, I have a somewhat easy way to keep freezers and furnace running. Driving the Boxster around and loving every minute of it. KLX almost went for a ride the other day; had it running and ready but my sister got sick so couldn’t go. Maybe this weekend.

[Landsvw]

Revisiting the misfire on cyl six, on the ford. Even after replacing COP, was still misfiring. So, I pulled the plug today. Looked fine. I decided to replace the injector on that cylinder since I had 8 extras from the engine swap. Swapped out easy. Put it together. Now, the engine usually only misses when the truck is cold. This time I it started up and ran well. Was putting out a cloud of steam or possibly; this is my theory, gas smoke? It would disappear almost immediately so wasn’t oil. That leaves anti freeze or gas. I’m wondering if that injector might have been leaking? I just don’t know, but tomorrow’s start up should tell me something.

[Weldangrind]

Any milkshake under the oil cap?

[Landsvw]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Any milkshake under the oil cap?

No, and, I can pressurize the system with my tester at 16psi for an hour and it doesn’t drop. And, after several days of sitting will still have pressure under the cap when removing. Unless there’s a head gasket going, and it’s acting as a one way valve, I think the coolant system is ok. Not 100% sure, of course... after the big overheating incident this summer.

Will continue to investigate and update.

[Weldangrind]

Is there a whiff of fuel on the dipstick?

[Landsvw]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Is there a whiff of fuel on the dipstick?

Haven’t checked lately... I’m leaning toward some kind of weird antifreeze leak into a cylinder or possibly an injector ?

[Weldangrind]

The 4.2l of that era had a TSB about intake manifold and timing cover gasket leaks. The fix was new gaskets from Ford and the intake manifold gasket was considerably thicker than the original. So much so that a specific pattern was required to even start the bolts, before they could be torqued. I installed the upgrade on my buddy's '97 and had to run the torque sequence five times before the wrench stopped turning; I've never seen that before.
The symptom in that case was milkshake under the cap, but it was caught very early before any damage. It's still humming along today.
Not sure if any of that could apply to you (considering a very different engine), but maybe even running the torque sequence on the intake manifold would reveal something. Just a thought.

[Landsvw]

Thanks for the info. My intake is an all aluminum from a 1998 Lincoln Navigator, with all new gaskets when I installed the engine. I do think tho, there is a leak. I think it’s probably head gasket... I bought some of the more expensive head gasket stop a leak product (didn’t Subaru have factory issues with this and had a liquid product to put in the engine?) recommended by the counter guy at our parts store. I’ve added it and will monitor for a while a see what happens... pretty sure this all took place when I overheated the engine, last summer and had to replace the radiator. I kinda knew I wasn’t going to get away with it. However, if the stop leak works ok, I’ll just keep driving, but if it doesn’t I’ll have to pull intake and heads and reseal... which is a major pain in the butt due to timing chains, their cover and the lack of space in the engine compartment...whatever the leak is, it seems to be very small since pressurizing the system with my tester holds 16 indefinitely, and even after a few days sitting the coolant system has pressure. So, hoping the liquid seal will do its job! Provably happening when piston is moving, and also, when it’s not running it’s dripping some antifreeze into one or more cylinders overnight.

[Weldangrind]

Maybe run the torque sequence on the head bolts as well.

[Landsvw]

So far, the startup in the morning has been smooth with no misfire, so, here’s Hoping!

[Landsvw]

The goo seems to be working. I have no idea if this is permanent or temporary. I guess time will tell! I do know that on the leaky Subaru’s, it was a factory permanent fix. Anyway, if it lasts long enough to go to Bandon (90 miles) and tow my trailer home, on the 18th of October, then I’m golden!

[Weldangrind]

That'll be a good enough test.
On another note, would you consider a separate thread for your Boxster build? I'd love to hear details on that one.

[Landsvw]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

That'll be a good enough test.
On another note, would you consider a separate thread for your Boxster build? I'd love to hear details on that one.

Hmmm... ok! I’ve had fun with it so far! Will start a new thread on the Boxster later this weekend.

[Landsvw]

Sealant still sealing! And will drive the truck to the coast tomorrow so will be that much more of s test.

Meanwhile, been working on the generator in shed for the next power outage scenario...
Have new 220/240 breaker installed, wiring run and just a few wires to skin and hook up. Will then have 220/240 in the garage, along with the ability to disconnect house, and fire up generator. It’s a Chinese generator, so fits right in with this crowd!