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

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In this video, I fully remove the cab from SVT Lightning to reveal its gigantic and very broke engine. I pushed this Lightning a little too far knowing it had weak head gaskets and here's what happened. Now the good news is while taking the engine apart I found a nice surprise that the previous owner or Ford dealer replaced for me! Enjoy!
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[@LegitStreetCars]

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?

[@MaxBeecher]

Probably matching heads lol

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

@@MaxBeecher 😄😄

[@markopolo945]

Alex, when will you restock the LegitStreetCars Caps? Trying to get a few for Friends and Family.

[@brian_jake]

new headers and rust proof every metal surface

[@funnypranker34]

Headers, aftermarket heads, intake, everything

[@Fordtech30482]

Hi love the videos I’m a ford tech cool to see someone on KZbin 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.

[@sergiorosales1689]

Nice lol

[@Stylemaster911]

Cool!

[@kylemcweeny878]

Bawse

[@MrTimdtoolman1]

Nice work!

[@2wheelz420]

Guy on the inside

[@Chiefbadbruuuuuh]

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!

[@LegitStreetCars]

I was the same way. Saturday morning was always cartoons and then as I got older it was car shows. Thanks for watching!

[@elrey327]

💯 %

[@camilofeliz6934]

Same here.

[@korbendallas4232]

Agreed

[@BradAgostinelli]

Yay

[@stuffandjunkandthings364]

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.

[@LegitStreetCars]

Good to know!

[@jeremyTallen1]

Good point!

[@robertturnbull2903]

Yep that's got the 4 thread heads

[@seanreynolds9906]

Aftermarket heads with cams and headers!!!!

[@Lonnie-Young]

Agreed the stock ported heads will be waist of money for the gains we've even tried home porting stock heads nobluck justvgetvthe TFS heads can't go wrong

[@davidwatsonbr]

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. 👨🏻‍🔧

[@KaldekBoch]

Agreed. I much prefer these.

[@anthonypena6322]

I can honestly watch anything Alex does. He is very smart and takes his time explaining what he is doing. I haven't seen a better channel out there when it come to explaining and showing what it is he's doing. Keep up the great work Alex, justy opinion but I think you're one of the very best people on KZbin and one of the best channels showing and explaining what it is you do. Thank you, and here's to so much future success!

[@kylemcweeny878]

@@anthonypena6322 same

[@deanstanley2277]

I like his way of explaining things. Buy a modernish f150 or mustang ecoboost and upgrade it, turbos, downpipes headers etc etc....bringing a highmileage f150 back to life for a contractor for to sell or giveaway would be awesome.

[@MaxBeecher]

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

[@Azspeedin]

Peter is the M F’N man✌️

[@jeremyTallen1]

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.

[@funnypranker34]

It takes patience that only northerners have to remove those

[@jeremyTallen1]

@@funnypranker34 you got that right. I have found that pouring gasoline all over the vehicle and lighting on fire works best 🤣

[@funnypranker34]

@@jeremyTallen1 🤣 Now a northern mechanic working on a rust free southern vehicle can be very very uncomfortable because of how loose the bolts seem to be

[@longjohn77]

You should look into buying a bolt buster. Game changing

[@jeremyTallen1]

@@longjohn77 never heard of it I'm looking into it now

[@PeeterPuncher]

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.

[@VegasShuffle]

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

[@Laffs23]

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.

[@LegitStreetCars]

Great to know! Thanks!

[@Sequestor]

@@LegitStreetCars If you do go with Trickflow heads DO NOT USE off the shelf or stock pi cams for them, you will need custom grind cams for them.

[@hawkinsjd11]

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

[@The_Redkween]

And they haven’t even out it back down, yet. 😂 You will probably say it 39 times in that video.

[@lonewolfsstuck]

Love using the industrial tensile strength tester on the cab-out jobs lol.

[@telzmomo]

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

[@LegitStreetCars]

Thanks!

[@DeusVolo]

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

[@yoyodynepropulsion.systems]

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

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

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.

[@joecrancher2008]

I for one would not complain if we had lots of episodes of this!

[@red58impala]

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.

[@ez112442]

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!

[@jeffreycooper7264]

I've heard the same. if you keep going to a new blower etc, you're going to have to build the motor to handle it. Rods are crap. I think I've done everything to my Lightning I can without a bottom end. I'm looking for an electric water pump and have a e-fan to get rid of parasitic power loss, but will never put a new blower on it, even with supporting mods (fuel)....unless I have to do the motor

[@guy990]

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

[@jeraldsteinbronn9001]

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.

[@neilbrown82]

Lol its a 2v mite as well drop in a coyote before wasting thousands of dollars on it

[@ssiickk03HD]

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. 😆

[@SirDankNewton]

Different platform but I can vouch for American Racing Headers. The quality is top notch.

[@yungtooli]

@@SirDankNewton the only thing i dont like about ARH is you need some deep pockets

[@SirDankNewton]

@@yungtooli Oh absolutely, but they're one of the best. Price is really the only con I've heard from their products.

[@michaelbolton1090]

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.

[@chassegallerie2910]

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).

[@kamata93]

Especially in Canada. In my country import cars from Canada always have rust underneath.

[@mathewfullerton8577]

Midwestern, not east coast. It's not called the rust belt for nothing.

[@jamesk3565]

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

[@67Details]

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

[@richardsmith2721]

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.

[@davereiland9921]

A dozen 😂

[@kumakaroshi117]

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

[@1960Murf]

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

[@terrypaquette2824]

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??

[@jamesestep9240]

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!

[@danielbutler578]

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.

[@edwardgrimes8572]

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

[@spooln30]

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.

[@organiccold]

He has one i think, but i bet will be at home in the garage lol

[@craighearn747]

Convert it to an Allison trans.

[@bradgilpin9740]

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!!!

[@airchar23]

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?

[@rustythebailiff9785]

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

[@Robsav-yx6vi]

Peter . Ready for PRIME Time. Cracked me up .

[@DrPeppa]

7:02 - "How old are you?" Alex: "I'm... 22 years old" Well played Alex! 😄

[@franklinmaurer8383]

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

[@russianrick8403]

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:)

[@imbeingfrank3864]

Love the lighting videos. Keep them coming.

[@sagas070707]

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.

[@frankwhite3148]

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.

[@nhbountyhunter]

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.

[@jhuntosgarage]

Enjoying this channel content. Thanks for sharing.

[@kerrylewis2581]

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

[@oldmikeemerson2411]

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.

[@Killingallbimmers]

It’s definitely fun watching you tearing stuff apart

[@scratchgolfer]

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

[@jimherrmann9839]

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

[@carlyeremian]

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

[@ytna28]

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

[@sonicslow995]

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!

[@jeremyTallen1]

Port and polished heads should make a big improvement!

[@cjmarsh504]

I'm glad you got to it

[@slyfox4564]

Finally some youtuber merch that isnt an ad. Its just a nice svt lightning shirt with no logo, you dont feel like youre wearing an advertisement. Good job on being one of few youtubers who dosent sell advertisement shirts

[@LegitStreetCars]

Thanks!!

[@M1LAD81]

Thanks, Alex.

[@StephenBrewer89]

Headers,and a full titanium exhaust would sound killer. Port match everything.

[@TheRealTomLauda]

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

[@williammc3183]

Holy Cow , claimed they replaced the long block at 409 miles, yet used 2 different year heads... that's not a longblock replacement, imo. And the head gaskets blown before 75k miles.... wtg Ford. That's the honest customer service statement . Experience is truly the best measuring tool.

[@danielgomez19888]

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

[@TorturedPeace]

“This old thing?” Classic!!!

[@clifbradley]

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.

[@aaronbritt2025]

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.

[@mohamedabdalhamid8947]

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

[@JohnnnieBravo]

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

[@zoboas]

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

[@hellcat1988]

The problem with relying on the temp gauge to tell when the engine is overheated, is that it REQUIRES coolant to be in contact with the sensor to get a reading even the far side of accurate. If you don't have coolant at the sensor, you could have a normal looking temp on the gauge, meanwhile the engine is melting.

[@cjcoleman7372]

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.

[@O4erful]

Im not a mechanic but as a DIY guy, I'd say the "while you're there.." is a good labor and money saving techinque but also can easily get out of hand sometimes 😅

[@firesurfer]

"While we are at it" is where I made my money as a carpenter. Carpenter ants are a carpenters best friend.

[@johnkerr8157]

I had a 01 L, loved it, switched to an electric fan and the relay failed one day, the truck overheated blew off all the freon and pumped coolant out. The temp gauge never went above half way, I was told by the tech that worked on it for me (I worked at at dealership) that the gauges don't go much past 1/2 way no mater what, be careful.

[@suneesra7074]

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!

[@gusser2121]

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

[@davidl2438]

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.

[@Rovinman]

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.

[@lancelaprarie6128]

Always awesome stuff

[@organiccold]

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

[@DOHCCordia]

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

[@Jasshands1]

My good friend was a master tech at ford. They would always pull the cab on 5.4, 5.0, 6.0 and 6.2 for major engine work. I got tons of pictures of when I’d visit him int he shop.

[@br549rdr]

Great video 💪 Awsome advice and information in the comments.

[@xxx_ray]

it would be so cool to see this truck completely restored and refinished while it’s taken apart

[@yasar6522]

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

[@austinvolkenant4823]

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!!

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Cant wait to see part 2!!!

[@nathanwilson8376]

Love the content you're doing a great job .

[@setunedouche]

Mike Jones phone number made me laugh!!!!!! I’m really debating on getting a 4 door lightning (HD) lol. Another excellent video brother!!!!

[@tylerjarratt]

Don’t think I didn’t catch that down in Texas! WHO??

[@glennc7201]

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.

[@EliHasan]

Lol Peter sleeping with the head gaskets was too funny 🤣!

[@MichaelRadelet]

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

[@NKPGarage]

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.

[@digital4282]

Stainless Works makes excellent long tubes for those trucks. I’ve got them on my Crown Victoria and they are the best headers I’ve ever owned. Added bonus, they are made in the USA!

[@adamskypixelds6390]

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

[@ChrisVargasrpht2000chris]

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

[@redwalsh87]

Send the heads off to Modular Head Shop in Florida, they can timesert the one head to 8-9 thread spark plugs while they clean them up and port them. Also get some custom spec'd cams from Todd Warren (check out Apocalypse Performance), with some longtubes you should easily net 100whp+ with a mild tune. I gained 100hp with non ported heads and custom cams from Todd on my NA Mach 1.

[@402SHO]

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.

[@joeyf8368]

Stoked for some lightning content

[@TheDecguy]

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.

[@mikeydemeno9186]

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

[@davidfrank2824]

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.

[@DLurch]

Mike Myers is a legend

[@Tarkov.]

It's hard to tell if head gasket sealer will actually help, and since you're boosted it probably wouldn't. ChrisFix did a video about using it on his dad's Jag which got daily'd for like a year just fine, but as soon as you put boost into that type of a fix it shoots right through it.