90cherokeeguy

does any one know how hard it would be to replace the exaust manifold gasket on a 98 ford expition with the 5.4 trition or would it not even be worth it

96_xj

this is a very common issue with the 5.4. it takes time but is doable. I would get a set of replacement headers and throw them in there too (the stock headers cause the problem)

mentalbreakdown00

I see a lot of broken bolts in these, and depending on which one breaks, ou can't get to it, and have to pull the head to remove the remainder of the bolt.

2Evil4U

You'll have to do it through the wheel well. Fasteners will be the big issue. Looks much easier than changing the spark plugs though.

Bustedback

Have you blown a spark plug out of the head yet? 98-01 4.6 and 5.4 engines are bad for blow the spark plugs out, it's always the ones at the rear of the engine that tend to blow out and take the coil out with it.

90cherokeeguy

well im assuming its the gasket because it sounds like a major exaust leek right on the motor my brother was driving it and out of nowhere it went

Bustedback

Check the spark plug torque. I had a 5.4 three valve in the shop the other day that sounded like it had an exhaust leak, it just had one plug that was loose by almost a full turn.

2Evil4U

I will say that when I changed the plugs on my 5.4L 1997 F150, the second plug back on the passenger's side was loose.