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Ted Lambert · 04-05-2016, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randalpho

The attached .pdf is from Matthew Shanahan, a Ford Tech and part time college automotive instructor who spent the time to document his findings on the spark plug issues.

Thank you
That is great information, anybody considering a used Motor Home should read it.

ga traveler · 04-07-2016, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs

From 1999 to 2004 Ford used cylinder heads that only had four threads to hold the sparkplugs in. There were very few problems with the original sparkplugs being blown out. However many times when the plugs were replaced they were over tightened. Consequently they stripped the threads in the head and some eventually were blown out.

Here's a link to the Ford TSB covering the problem:

http://www.terminator-cobra.com/Ford_TSB07-21-2.pdf

Note the text says 1998 to 2004 F53 chassis. This is in error. Ford did not introduce the 6.8 liter V10 to the F53 chassis until the 1999 model year. The 1998 model still used the 460 cu. in. V8 and the EO4D transmission.

Also the early 3 valve per cylinder engines (2005 - 2007) had some problems with the plugs breaking when they were removed. These were multi piece plugs. The clearance between the lower part of the plug and the head was minimal. The area would fill with carbon and in some cases the plug would break as it was removed. Newly designed plugs are available to eliminate the problem.

If you should encounter either problem there are remedies for the problem that don't require disassembling the engine. An insert can be installed to the earlier model 4 thread design, and there is a tool available to remove broken plugs in the later model design.

As a side note we had a 2001 motorhome built on the F53 chassis. It went over 100,000 miles without a spark plug problem. I changed the plugs at 75,000 miles. If you're careful and follow the directions I doubt you'll have a problem

You need to check your facts on the 1998 having a 460. Ford skipped the 1998 chassis. They went from the 1997 to a 1999 My chassis was made in Jan. 1998. It is a 1999 chassis with a 1998 Pace Arrow motorhome. There was NO 1998 F53 chassis. The chassis made in 1998 was called a 1999 F53 chassis.

Hikerdogs · 04-07-2016, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

You need to check your facts on the 1998 having a 460. Ford skipped the 1998 chassis. They went from the 1997 to a 1999 My chassis was made in Jan. 1998. It is a 1999 chassis with a 1998 Pace Arrow motorhome. There was NO 1998 F53 chassis. The chassis made in 1998 was called a 1999 F53 chassis.

I understand that Ford did not make an F53 chassis designated as the 1998 model year. The bulletin is somewhat confusing in that it mentions: 1998-2004 F-53 Motorhome Chassis, F-Super Duty. While the V10 did appear in the 1998 model year F-Super Duty trucks it wasn't introduced to the F53 chassis until the 1999 model year

The 1999 model year F53 chassis had a 275 hp, 2 valve per cylinder V10 coupled to an E4OD transmission. In the 2000 model year the engine horsepower was increased to 310. It was then coupled the 4R100 transmission. This combination was used through the 2004 model year that actually ended the last day of February 2005. These are the first and second generation engines that had 4 threads holding the sparkplugs into the heads.

On March 1st 2005 Ford introduced the 2006 model year F53 chassis. The 2005 model year designation was skipped just as the 1998 model year designation. The 2006 model year was the introduction of the 3 valve per cylinder 362 hp engine and the 5R110 transmission. The heads used through the 2007 model year used 2 piece plugs that could seize and brake when being removed. The heads and sparkplugs were redesigned for the 2008 model year.

Ted Lambert · 04-07-2016, 03:26 PM

So can a person assume that if you look for 2005 and newer. Chances are you will get an Engine that would have been trouble free at least as far as plugs are concerned?
Barring the fact that BACK YARD JOE has kept his fingers out of it.

I know there are a lot of home mechanics that do great work. No offence to anybody!

Rambow · 04-07-2016, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by narampa

I missed it by a year

No, you didn't. You were both right. My first car, bought new when I was 18, was a 65 1/2 Mustang 2+2. The flashy fastback was introduced mid-year. Wish I still had her!

Ted Lambert · 04-07-2016, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rambow

No, you didn't. You were both right. My first car, bought new when I was 18, was a 65 1/2 Mustang 2+2. The flashy fastback was introduced mid-year. Wish I still had her!

Beautiful Car! You are so lucky to have had it.

spyderRV · 04-08-2016, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hikerdogs

I understand that Ford did not make an F53 chassis designated as the 1998 model year. The bulletin is somewhat confusing in that it mentions: 1998-2004 F-53 Motorhome Chassis, F-Super Duty. While the V10 did appear in the 1998 model year F-Super Duty trucks it wasn't introduced to the F53 chassis until the 1999 model year

The 1999 model year F53 chassis had a 275 hp, 2 valve per cylinder V10 coupled to an E4OD transmission. In the 2000 model year the engine horsepower was increased to 310. It was then coupled the 4R100 transmission. This combination was used through the 2004 model year that actually ended the last day of February 2005. These are the first and second generation engines that had 4 threads holding the sparkplugs into the heads.

On March 1st 2005 Ford introduced the 2006 model year F53 chassis. The 2005 model year designation was skipped just as the 1998 model year designation. The 2006 model year was the introduction of the 3 valve per cylinder 362 hp engine and the 5R110 transmission. The heads used through the 2007 model year used 2 piece plugs that could seize and brake when being removed. The heads and sparkplugs were redesigned for the 2008 model year.

Not sure that is true. I have a 1999 F53 which has pwm pressure regulation on the tranny which is designed for the 4R100. I replaces the valve body with a Jon Wood item, http://www.jwtt.com/yahoo_site_admin...135056_std.jpg designed for a 4R100 unit.

Hikerdogs · 04-08-2016, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyderRV

Not sure that is true. I have a 1999 F53 which has pwm pressure regulation on the tranny which is designed for the 4R100. I replaces the valve body with a Jon Wood item, http://www.jwtt.com/yahoo_site_admin...135056_std.jpg designed for a 4R100 unit.

I believe you are correct on the 4R100 transmission. The owners manual gives transmission fluid specifications for two transmissions. It does specifically mention the 4R100, but doesn't identify the second transmission. The manual I have covers all F series chassis. It's possible that one or more chassis still used the EO4D transmission, or it could be a carry over from the previous model year that didn't get corrected when the systems changed.

boatman10 · 05-08-2016, 07:09 AM

I would not buy a 06-09 RV with a 3 valve ford engine unless I had witnessed the plugs being removed and replaced with the one piece plug.
and then I would remove and replace them myself every 25,000 miles.
lots of horror stories on the internet and one that I personally know of about this....and its a very, very high percentage of problems showing up.
before '06 the only-4-threads-in-the-head spitting out spark plugs in the 2 valve engines could be an issue, but rarely, actually, percentage wise....especially when re-torqued regularly [yearly maybe].