High Mileage 5.4 Triton e350 question

[M3W2]

I couldn't find much with the search function on this engine so I wanted to ask what the general consensus on them is. I'm looking at an e350 that has 200,000 with the 5.4, square body but it's not really a box truck more like a square van. They're asking 6,000 for it, which seems high to me with it having 200k miles, but a lot of vans around me that aren't high top or anything are going for 4k+ with 200k miles. The guy says he doesn't have any maintenance records for it and that it hasn't had engine work done to it, but he says it runs and sounds perfect. I know these have a spark plug problem so I would probably change them out first thing. He claims people usually run these vans to 400k miles and the 200k isn't really that high. What are your thoughts on it? I know it depends in how it was maintained but do many of these go up to 300k before needing major engine work? Could it need rebuilt at any time? Thanks.

Pictures of the van I was looking at.
[img=100x100]https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.ne...0387ede651bab840b40c6dba7f6&oe=60E0AE2E[/img]
[img=150x100]https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...fd8efd283ab2b1a1d36f87cf692&oe=60E07CB3[/img]
[img=100x100]https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.ne...22225d45b0e9064b54e9efa6b83&oe=60E10F18[/img]
[img=100x100]https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.ne...7cdb0c5ffe9cee56594ebe8a7af&oe=60E18C5D[/img]

 

[user 423]

What year is it? Price depends a lot on that. Looks like an ex-UHaul truck that was then used for some trade business. Iffy maintenance history not a good thing.

I've checked U-Haul truck sales and they sell them with fewer miles. Rough usage but they do get regular maintenance. Have you checked the rental fleet used sales sites?

Depending on the year, replacing the plugs would not eliminate the plug problem.

Check Ford forums for more info on the engine. Here's one:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum128/

After 2008 or so, the problem was finally fixed.

 

[M3W2]

Thanks, it's a 2001

 

[ckelly78z]

Cam phasers were a problem on the earlier 5.4 motors. It would indicate a problem with a loud ticking sound, that should also sound like another common problem...exhaust manifold gasket leak. The spark plug problem can be eliminated by properly torqueing the new plugs, but follow the procedure for changing the plugs (found on Youtube). I can't remember if you have to change them hot, or what the procedure is.

 

[highdesertranger]

It's not so much the spark plugs it's the heads. Changing the spark plugs will not fix the issue. I would say 4k is more in line. Highdesertranger

 

[user 423]

I know these have a spark plug problem so I would probably change them out first thing.

On any of those vans it's a real PITA to change the plugs on PS of the vehicle (link to Ford Forum):

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/516809-1995-e150-conv-van-tuneup-time-what-a-joy.html

The worst part is that it's difficult to get a compression test done because access is so tight. I bought my '93 four years ago and even though it only had 114k on it, I really wanted to check compression. I could not get in there with the tester I had. Now shops surely have the adapters and know-how to do it (or a leakdown is even better) and it would be advisable to have that done on a truck with 200k on it.

 

[Cammalu]

A couple spark plugs on mine blew. I stopped immediately so didn’t damage the engine. There really aren’t enough threads on the engine to hold down the plugs. They threw a new kit in there but I don’t know if that could have fixed the problem or not.

 

[user 423]

^^
What year is yours?

Actually, there were 2 different problems with some Ford engines depending on the year and version.

The other problem was a sparkplug design that caused the plugs to break in two when trying to remove them.

I'm no expert on the details but anyone considering a Ford between '97 and '08 should do some research.

I'm just glad my '93 has cast iron heads and conventional sparkplugs.

 

[Cammalu]

It was an 02

 

[user 423]

^
Oh,was that in the B+?

 

[Cammalu]

Yes that B