My SVT Lightning Has A Major Engine Issue After Towing So I Took The Cab Off To Take It Apart! 

Join the Mana waiting list and be the first to start earning rewards by gaming! join.mana.app/legitstreetcars What should I do for performance while I'm in there?

When I was a kid, I loved Saturday morning cartoons. This is the adult version of Saturday morning cartoons for me. Keep up the great videos!

Hi love the videos I’m a ford tech cool to see someone on RU-vid messing with a lightning, I noticed the vin in the video and decided to see the warranty history on your truck and seen it had the long block replaced feb- 2002 at 409 miles because of lower engine noise is the customer complaint, figured you might find that interesting.

I pretty much do prefer to see you working on repairs like this than boosting your fleet, Alex. It’s so nice to see you fixing things. Great job on the lightning. 👨🏻‍🔧

For the money you would have into porting the stock heads, you can pick up a set of TFS heads that not only flow better, but also don't have the spark plug issues.

I am pretty sure you are the first person from Illinois to ever take exhaust manifold bolts of without snapping one off. You definitely deserve an award. This is coming from a fellow Illinois rust belt mechanic.

It was the "Legit Street Wear, SVT Spring Collection" for me 🤣

One thing I recommend since the heads are off is drilling out the exhaust manifold stud holes to 10mm and install the larger coyote 5.0 exhaust studs to prevent any more broken exhaust studs......I've been doing it on all 2V engines I work on and have not had one come back for broken exhaust studs.

Cab offs are always so entertaining. I said "I'm glad I'm not doing this" about 7 times

Wouldnt bother porting the factory 2V heads if your sending them out to be done, not much gain for the cost especially if you aren’t changing cams. Trickflow 2V heads are far better but then you end up having to do cams as well. For what its worth I dropped a set of Comp off the shelf 262AH in my 2V and made a nice seat of pants improvement for under $700.

Peter modeling the merch made me spit my drink out I was laughing so hard. So subtle but hilarious. Great video Alex

Before I tossed any money into mods, I'd dang sure make sure everything stock is in good order... pistons, rings, bearings, all that stuff. Would make ya want to upchuck if you pulled it all down to this, built it back up and it died. Take your time, milk some episodes, build it to last. My 2cents.

Your videos are full of information and you somehow make it not boring and very enjoyable to watch everytime.

I love Peter, he's great for the channel. He needs to stay in the truck when you need him.

Peter is an awesome addition to the channel. "What? This old thing?"..... I'm dying over here!

14:51 this is why I watch you, insight like this is so rare to find on RU-vid! When I saw you spray the bolt with water after heating it up that comes from experience dealing with rust too!!

Love catching your uploads when I'm not working! Always such hq videos and awesome content! Where else are you gonna see someone tear down an SVT Lightning??

I had this same issue with coolant blowing out of my radiator only under hard acceleration. I have started tearing everything down to replace it and unfortunately ran into a funds issue. I hope to be able to drive my car before the end summer 🙏. Good luck on it and can’t wait for the next video!!!

Since the heads appear to be different, I'd get new aftermarket heads to help it breathe better and to avoid the spark plug issues.

I just randomly bumped into your videos and I must say I love this channel been watching videos non stop. Love the positive energy

Fun episode! Alex, you da' man. Good camera work, Peter. Thanks, guys!

Hello fellow Chicago-ian. Long time watcher first time comment. I used to have a 99 Lightning for a long time (Still have some videos on here) and I dealt with the dreaded 4 thread issue. If you have the money, just replace them both with an 8 thread Trick Flow. Because this is a modular engine (4.6), personally, I was able to swap in newer 2V Mustang (PI) heads in my truck that I found for a good price. Don't go aftermarket blower, because the bottom end (rods) will not handle something like a 3.4 Whipple. A ported blower is just fine. I had a popular Stiegemeier IV blower. It was nice. Your videos make me miss my truck, but I have a C63AMG now, so I'm pretty happy. Can't wait for your next video!

It’s really good to see you showing some love to the Lightning. I was starting to think you had forgotten it.

Really enjoy your posts. Chicago native myself. You have down to earth, matter of fact approach. Keep it up!

If it is a 2-valve engine, my vote is to put TFS twisted wedge heads on it along with a ported blower, bigger cams, and long-tube headers. Nothing exceeds like excess! I'm enjoying the videos no matter what you decide.

I look forward to these videos every week! Glad to see the work on the Lightning! How about a "while you're in there" manual swap?

Excellent work as usual. Your work helps inspire me to work on my cars. Thank you.

I pull a ton of cabs every month. I seem to always break the manual 4x4 shifter. All the trucks use vacuum stuff, so I often forget to check when the random floor 4x4 comes in. Also you'd love pulling a cab on a border patrol truck. You have to cut and re splice like 200 wires.

Can't wait to see the finished product, coming from someone who drives a old grandpa car , if feel I'm with you working on a dream I wish I owned.... congrats Playboy....great content.

As always, great video. I just didn't want to finish but bamm once I realise you were talking about the next episode. Can't wait to see it.

As always amazing content,,, I wish you know how much we enjoy watching your videos Keep up the great work Your subscriber from Sudan

I was just wondering about this truck this morning as I was toying with mine,I hadn't seen anything in a while with it. And if you are like me,and I think you are,you will be doing a basic chasis restoration before this all goes back together. Mine still has not hit the 11k mile mark and it has always been dry driving,and fortunately I have been able to keep it in the garage since new,so zero rust issues. I do have a 4lb lower,a cold air intake,boost bypass,and the old super chips 94 octane tune. I did change the plugs though when I did the mods and was always a little bothered with the 4 threads issue. But it was a beast back when new compared to other offerings,I embarrassed many corvette and viper driver's at the track,used to run a solid 12.5 with decent weather,and traction. Funny by todays standards it is just average,I just drove a new reg cab work truck with the 5.0 and it felt as quick as the old lightning when stock,but it is still a blast to drive.

Man, when you were taking apart those harnesses it took me back to working on my duramax. I just finished replacing my whole fuel system on that duramax, and that was only a little short of doing head gaskets:)

Fantastic videos mate. I could watch them all day, cheers

Love the lighting videos. Keep them coming.

Such a great video! Can’t wait to see the long tube headers on the lightening!!

I had 2000 lightning back in the day that I pull dynatech longtubes on with a borla cat back that sounded amazing! I would suggest those. Make sure you do the $1 boost bypass mod!

Finally ! I was waiting for this one for months ! Definitely 8 threads on the "newer" head, 4 on the other.

Seeing you pick the cab off made me really jealous! Had to do everything for my motor swap on my back in the garage. Wish I had a lift!

Enjoy your videos. Good work ethic. The person you bought the truck from knew there were issues. But that is the way it goes. Now is the time to make the truck right so you can truly enjoy it.

What's nice with this vid, is that people can see what happens when you have an issue but you don't have it fixed ASAP. For "normal" people this end up costing them an arm and a leg. For mechanics like you, it will cost you the parts price, but not the time, so you can do it for cheaper. Also, you mentionned protecting the frame with paint or whatever, I think you should do it, since you also use it in the winter and we all know Eastern coast winters are pretty bad for cars (even up here in Canada).

Love this series ! If you've got this far, and you're unsure about the bottom end, then it's a fool's errand NOT to get it cleaned out. Stay safe ! Stay clean ! Stu.

Been waiting for this video, glad to see the lightning content is back! Hey so stick with the ford motorcraft metal manifold gaskets, they are the best as far as not leaking for this trucks. Also switch back to to motorcraft coils.

It’s definitely fun watching you tearing stuff apart

Yeah! Finally! Been waiting for the SVT engine build. I think it blew out a plug with the original heads and so the dealer replaced it. I think the tech that did it didn't torque the head correctly and that's why it blew a head gasket.

I remember replacing the spark and ignition coils on my moms 2001 expedition 5.4 triton. They were a pain for sure 😅

Since the heads are coming off you might want to consider having a machine shop fix all the spark plug holes. The problem with the spark plugs popping out even continued after Ford made them deeper and adding more threads. There is also kits that you can buy and do it yourself. A good one goes for about $300 I definitely would not use helical. They are great for a quick fix but since you have a blower I would go for more of a permanent fix instead of a Band-Aid fix. Looking forward to watching you put this all together and cannot wait to see the results.

Really great stuff on this channel. Keep it up. 👏🏻 Greetings from Germany.

Alex, I have no interest in Fords, or Lightning for that matter! However, I watched every second of this video because it was packed full of great info, presented in an entertaining way. Fantastic job! Keep up the good work and good luck! Also if you can work on an aircooled flat 6 at some point you will break the internet!

Go with American Racing Headers from JLP Performance. Replace those flow junkers with the full 3" system. Porting the heads on these engines is also a huge benefit, the stock heads flow very poorly. Might as well throw on a set of cams while you're in there. 😆

cleaning the bottom end, it's that "while you're in there" that gets everyone!!!!!

Love the comment in the back when pulling the fan out “should we call someone with more experience” 😂😂 Your videos are awesome! Always go into detail when doing them!!

Catching up on the videos in the playlist and finally got to the lightning ❤ this truck in this color is badass.

Alex, it good to see you relying on real RU-vid auto content providers for fan removal. A perfect example of what professional solution content providers do during cab removal. Hahaha Am really enjoying how you overlap all the story lines from Mercedes’ to Subaru back to Merc then over to ford. Great editing. Terrific story telling. And even better ‘solutions content’!!! Really great sequel of videos! Keep-’em rolling.

Cawffee Tawk from SNL with Mike Meyers! Great reference! Love your channel! You have great taste in vehicles!

Oh man! Don't stop now!!! I want to find out what happens next! LOL. That's okay Alex... always leave them wanting more 😀

I wish you guys were hear in the Vancouver Bc area . I need the motor replaced in my 2000 lighting had the same issue as you did .... No shop around hear wants to do the Re and Re . Great video guys and gd luck!

Living where you live Alex I'd definitely be getting on the frame with some por-50 or at the very least some good quality wax covering to protect against that horrible Chicago winter weather.

I personally wouldn't put any time or money into those heads I would go with some aftermarket heads like AFR , DART, or any of the top performance companies and port the blower but definitely check the blower brick or replace it with a after market performance one plus ARP studs. In 07 I had a accident that left me disabled and I can't remember everything that I had done to these trucks but I do remember that the bottom end was tough I had built some for road courses and drag racing there are also aftermarket cams but all that being said definitely portted heads and blower, hooked headers there was another brand but I just can't remember. Good luck and looking forward to seeing this build. I always just pulled the motor on the lightnings only the regular f150 I would fix the problem in the truck. I was a heavy line gas and diesel tech for Ford. God bless you guys and as always be safe 👍

This repair is long overdue. Glad to see you literally jump in to get it fixed.

I’ve seen a few examples of supercharged 2v modular heads where the combination chambers had some pretty big cracks around the intake valves near the eyebrow castings in there

Enjoying this channel content. Thanks for sharing.

Love these trucks. Maybe a set of trick flow heads?

Yayyy finally a video! My old trucker neighbor when he retired bought a square body lighting I don’t know the name of the body style and got a anniversary 3v mustang. He’s has crashed them all since the last time I seen him.

been waiting for this video lol i looked through the channel like 2 days ago to see if your posted a new lightning video lol

Good move lifting the cab! Total rebuild one the motor is needed. I would have cleaned the engine bay prior to work. Good video!

Pretty sure your right about the heads being replaced. My 99 came stock with ZERO exhaust manifold gaskets. When I ejected 2 plugs I had the head removed and "Timecert" incerts put in all the plug valleys holes.

The ending just gets you right in the feels, someone was cutting onions.

Great job. Can’t wait for the next episode!

Porting the heads isn't really going to get you a lot of gains. My dad had one of these and if I remember correctly, he was told that the heads were already ported to the degree that they could be. But that could just be the tuning guy my dad went to didn't want to do it. But he went into all the reasons why you'd not want to do it. Anyways. Love these videos. This is a shorter one...that's sad. Coincidentally, my dad sold his when his head gasket went. He went back to a regular F-150. But got the Triton 3 valve, so after that the 7.3L F350 amd he still has that.

Seen your Instagram post so i came flying to watch this... Lets go have fun!!

Huge fan of the show! Could you please make a video on how to install cruise control into an older car.

Modular Head shop was my go-to for head work when I worked with Mod Motors, they can port and polish, and tap the 4 threads to 8 threads. I would say if you got the green, to send the motor out for recon, your already most of the way there, I would do it. You know as well as I do that a forced induction engine is harder on bearings than an N/A build.

Some here have mentioned trick flow heads. Those are crazy expensive. Take a look at Promaxx. I just installed a set in my 04 GT after it blew a plug. Very happy with them.

Back when I was still getting print magazines delivered. Muscle mustangs and fast fords used to be splattered with articles for Johnny lightning performance. May want to check them out

You need one of those dual-lens deps tech borescopes for things like thread counting. They look pretty cool, seen both a small engine restoration guy and the South Main Auto guy pretty happy with them. I'm just trying to hold off buying one since my current one is adequate... (And yes the second head has more threads...)

It's about time you got back to the Ford Lightning, I love that truck.

Leaving the master cylinder connect to the lines just remove from booster really saves time in the long run

As usual, you’re the best Can’t wait for the next episode

Just hopped on my lightning looked at my notifications while engine warms up a little then I see this... Nice! Saving for later

Peter is the best…”Sven spring collection”…..Great to see Blue Thunder getting fixed.

They do make scopes with side cameras now. Definitely seems like you have two versions of Ford heads there and btw just because the casting says 2003, doesn't mean it was replaced that year. Could've been many years after 2003 when the warranty work was done. Find another 8 thread head for sure and get them PnP.

Thank goodness you did not do the sealer. That scope footage is interesting. Thanks for taking the time to do that and share the footage.

lol, that was a very unexpected laugh with you... the stud, then the smile. Mate, golden.

Watch out at 16.53 looks like a bendet pin in the connector on the cab :)

Odometer blackout @ 2:30! My 02 F150 had that same issue, supposedly it's bad solder in the instrument panel!

Great video 💪 Awsome advice and information in the comments.

My 89 Escort was a fine example of Ford's better ideas. It came from the factory with the heater hoses reversed at the heater core. It would start blowing cold air every time you dropped to an idle and barely blew warm air until you got the engine speed up to 2000 rpm. The spark plugs only had about 4 or 5 threads. I put thread inserts in all 4 holes when I rebuilt the engine. The oil pump had a sliver of gasket material wedging the pressure regulator valve open, which is why the engine had to be rebuilt. The AC was working when I got it but leaked down during the first winter I had it. The previous owner had it fixed when he got it in 92 and it failed again in 96. A friend who worked at the local Ford dealership told me that they were having to replace the seals on the AC quick connectors every 3 years because vibration would wear out the O-rings It was a fun car to drive but I couldn't see having to pay $800 to $1000 every 3 years for air conditioning in a car that got driven to work and back 5 days a week. I only needed the AC for about 45 minutes a day for about 3 months. It had an oddball PCV system that never worked right and you couldn't find replacement parts for it either. Ford used to have great cars and trucks but, like every other brand, quality has gone down the drain. Between government regulations and building cars out of plastic and paper thin metal, we have cars that you can dent with your finger. You can't figure out what is wrong with them without a diagnostic scanner and they are too damned expensive. My 1969 AMC Ambassador drove away from 2 different hard deer impacts with very little damage. On the other hand, my 2014 Nissan was totaled by a dog.

Thanks, Alex.

When I look at things like this under the hood I think back to my F100 with a 240 ci straight six and three on the tree. Mine even had the weight reduction package from the New York State Highway Department salting the roads in the winter. Everything easy to work on with a basic 3/8 inch socket set from Sears. I miss those days.

Since you're there I'd rebuild the bottom end, upgrade the internals and bore and stroke it also. You already said you were possibly porting the heads and upgrading the blower anyways... might as well beef up the bottom end at the least.

God i love lightnings, sure miss mine… this was an amazing video! Way too little lightning content on youtube, so keep the lightning videos coming :D!

Stoked for some lightning content

Port and polished heads should make a big improvement!

Had my blower ported by stegmeier stage 3 with elbow and mmr stage ported heads with larger valves and I see n about 140 hp increase well worth porting heads and blower also seen great improvement running the johnney lighting chiller killer cooler

I'm glad you got to it

Looking forward to the next video. Also, yeah some new exercise moves. 💪 🙂👍

Get the heads ported while they’re off, if your doing that get some cams and springs. With the ported blower and headers and cams that motor will flow nice and equally as important, efficiently get the heat out and lower the pressure thereby adding cooler intake temps. Drop in boost but more power and less heat. Head flow on those is important. With the auto I guess you’ll have to think about not bringing the rpm’s up too much with the cams/porting though.

Having a smart phone handy makes working on a car so much easier. I usually take photos of everything when I'm taking it apart. Back in the old days I used to have to use a film camera and then wait two weeks before I could put the car back together. One time the film got overexposed and I lost the whole roll. It wasn't so bad though. I only had a dozen or so leftover parts and the car ran well enough.

All that rusty goodness in the previous video possibly was head gasket sealer. But it's nice to see you fix this up and not let it goto waste like others have in the past. I would send the heads out for cnc porting as there are most likely a cnc program for those heads by now. Even if it was a 15 to 20% better flow rate & that would = more boost as the blower wouldn't have to work as hard. Just a thought. Have a good day & please be safe. Ppv video and the caddy drag race would be nice to see once it warms up.