Ford 6.2 Gas motor known issues?

[JBFab]

It's kinda of a doggy motor, but it's not horrible. As others have mentioned cam phasers are a bitch. They're a PITA to replace, but worse they are very sensitive to precise oil pressure. If you're 1 psi too low - that's enough. My machinist had a 5.4 with cam phasers, machined to spec, but due to wear on other components it wouldn't build enough pressure for the cam phasers to work properly.

If it's valve springs, I believe you can do those without pulling the head by applying air pressure to the spark plug hole.

[unfinished]

Originally Posted by JBFab

It's kinda of a doggy motor, but it's not horrible. As others have mentioned cam phasers are a bitch. They're a PITA to replace, but worse they are very sensitive to precise oil pressure. If you're 1 psi too low - that's enough. My machinist had a 5.4 with cam phasers, machined to spec, but due to wear on other components it wouldn't build enough pressure for the cam phasers to work properly.

If it's valve springs, I believe you can do those without pulling the head by applying air pressure to the spark plug hole.

I have read that the throttle response can be a bit mushy, and some ways to reset/relearn the computer.

Hoping its the valve springs and nothing major. Probably go back soon, and pull the valve covers.

[unfinished]

Did a little investigation on this truck. Changed the starter and briefly started it to hear what it was doing. It didn't sound quite like rod knock, but definitely a loud tapping on the top end. Pulled both valve covers off and found a broken spring on the passenger side.

However, I think the valve is bent. I cannot move the valve up and down within the bore. I was able to find both keepers, but the valve hat that holds the keepers is missing, it must have bounced into the cavity for the front timing cover. The tip of the rocker is also damaged.

Further inspection shows some bad wear on the cam and rollers. Must have been poor oil, low oil or extended oil change intervals.

Kind of leaning on finding another used engine. However they are hard to find and pricey.

Next time I will pull the head, and see what I'm working with regarding the piston and valve seat. Perhaps I can replace the one valve, and reinstall the head. Then I would want new cams, new rockers, and new timing chains. I'll have to price that out.

[midmosandblasting]

Pull head may get lucky and a cam and rollers .Some of the m are lots of hours for R&R

[mccutter]

How does the cam look where the spring was contacting it? Maybe a trip to the local pull-n-pay and yank the cam and assorted parts you need?

Pull the plug and take a look inside the cylinder with a bore scope? That would be my next move to determine fix or replace.

[unfinished]

Some updates.

Engine is junk. The dropped valve shattered the piston. Some of the piston was thrown into the intake plenum, rest in the pan. Just the rod and wrist pin rattling in the cylinder bore. The pass head is also damaged. Surprised it ran as well as it did on 7 cylinders. So I looked for another engine.

Lucked out and found one with 38K from a rear end collision. 3.5hr drive each way, got it home. $700 plus gas and time. I'll change the valve springs with a new set from Melling, but other than that, I'll just run it. I did order a timing chain kit, but probably unneeded with the amount of miles.

[unfinished]

Additional pics

[unfinished]

Originally Posted by mccutter

How does the cam look where the spring was contacting it? Maybe a trip to the local pull-n-pay and yank the cam and assorted parts you need?

Pull the plug and take a look inside the cylinder with a bore scope? That would be my next move to determine fix or replace.

Cam lobe next to the spring was okay, but other lobes on other cylinders had too much wear in my opinion. Plus some spalling on the rocker rollers.

I didn't bother with a scope, as I was assuming the head would have to come off either way due to the bent valve. I wasn't expecting a destroyed piston. In retrospect, scope would have saved a little time. But it was also beneficial to open it up to understand the timing chain setup and cam phasers.

[mccutter]

Originally Posted by unfinished

In retrospect, scope would have saved a little time. But it was also beneficial to open it up to understand the timing chain setup and cam phasers.

Yup...

For future reference and use LINK--note they are different head size if you wanted to look in a rifle barrel you'll need a small one... You shouldn't need one longer than 3M.