Should I replace the engine heads or get a reman

[karl madinski]

Did a compression test dry and wet on a Lincoln navigator 5.4. these are my compression test results cyl1.181 w192 cyl2.172 w179 cyl3.178 w.207 cyl4.191 w.195 cyl5.162 w.178 cyl6.179 w.189 cyl7.148 w.160 cyl8.183 w.198
Also did a leakdown test cyl1.92 cyl2.72 cyl3.water bubbles resovoir cyl4.93 cyl5.66 cyl6.77 cyl7.48 cyl8.82
Most of my leakage at the low readings came from oil fill tube.
I just do not know which rought to take is it better to purchase a reman engine or replace the heads only. Thanks for your response still a shadetree mechanic

Topic

[Roy French]

We use the Triton 5.4 engine in some of our wheelchair vans. The lower ends stand up to incredible abuse. We have had some timing chain, valve,and cylinder head issues at around 150k. We put 300k on before they get sold. These are in hard working high top wheelchair vans that are run all day long. We have had no lower end or ring failures. I think you could get away with just cylinder heads. You should check your timing chains and chain guides while you have it open.

[karl madinski]

Thanks for your reply, my wife and I also run a wheelchair van service. Yes we agree its a good engine, we’ve only experienced spark plugs blowing out of heads.Thats with 230,000 miles or more on them.
Just paid $14 to just ask technician, he also confirmed just repair the heads fix. Thank you for your reply

[jay]

I agree with the other guys,I have 8 e350s and and the bottom ends are tough go for the new heads.

[EricTheCarGuy]

I’ve done a video on this very topic.

I’m not sure but replacing that engine might be a bit more difficult than you think. I think the body needs to come off the frame to work on that engine. Keep us posted.

[Roy French]

You can get the engine out, but you do have to take off the whole front of the van. Replacing heads is no picnic either. You have to remove the motor mounts and let the engine down. Even then some of the head bolts have to be removed with the head due to clearance issues.

[Author]

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