5.4L headers

[Ranger850]

I recently inherited my dad's 97/98 (?) F-150 with the 5.4L. Still not sure if it's 2v or 3v. My question is about headers. I'm seeing them for less than $200 on almost all the sites. Is there a brand to stay away from? Or one to Go with.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Stay with main brands if you can.

Offbrand can have fitment/sealing/durability isues.

Don't expect much for performance gains...

 

[Shran]

It's a 2v engine, you won't see 3v engines until 2004.

Unless you have a really good reason to put headers on it, I'd probably just run the stock manifolds. Cast iron manifolds last forever.

 

[Ranger850]

It's a 2v engine, you won't see 3v engines until 2004.

Unless you have a really good reason to put headers on it, I'd probably just run the stock manifolds. Cast iron manifolds last forever.

Not really looking for performance gaines. Before he passed, Dad told me he thought he had a cracked exhaust mainfold. I can hear the exhaust "ticking". Right now, I am strictly in "research" mode

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Not really looking for performance gaines. Before he passed, Dad told me he thought he had a cracked exhaust mainfold. I can hear the exhaust "ticking". Right now, I am strictly in "research" mode

Breaking studs and blowing out the gasket is common.

Personally if it did have a cracked manifold I would replace it.

You have half as many brokens studs to replace that way...

Sorry to hear about your dad.

 

[Shran]

Yep, I'd replace it too. I don't recall cracked manifolds being a problem on any of the modular engines - broken studs was though, very common in the V10 world. But I could be wrong. My work truck, 2018 Ram, had two cracked manifolds at 60,000 miles. VERY common with those.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Yep, I'd replace it too. I don't recall cracked manifolds being a problem on any of the modular engines - broken studs was though, very common in the V10 world. But I could be wrong. My work truck, 2018 Ram, had two cracked manifolds at 60,000 miles. VERY common with those.

Yup, I sold piles of those when I was slinging parts at a CDJR dealer. At least they eventually came out with kits that had everything in one box rather since apparently they couldn't figure out how to get them to not crack.