Summers22

iTrader: (2)

I agree, 300k is good, but not very likely as the rest of the truck will be worn out unless someone dumps a lot of money in suspension/drivetrain work.

Mod (Ret.)

Drivetrain - many neglect to ever change the transmission fluid until which time it begins to demonstrate shifting issues; too late then.

And others dump lots of money in other areas of the truck; paint, headlights, radio, and interior which may make a new engine swap feasible over the price of a new truck.

Millinex

I literally don't understand how someone can just never change their trans fluid, it blows my mind LOL

Summers22

iTrader: (2)

Most people that have a brain do maintenance before mods. I change my oil every 4-5k and swap out 4 quarts of trans fluid every 10k. Plus I spend money on paint, headlights and radios, because I can.

Mod (Ret.)

No doubt you as well as many others on this site have a lot of time, effort, and money invested in their truck, myself included. And many perform good preventitive maintenance schedules on their truck.

It appears to me that the OP's truck must have had a previous owner that was hard on the truck, perhaps a poor maintenance schedule as well; 56K was way to early for the cylinders to be scored and damaged enough to require an engine replacement. Cam phaser ticking at 56K might indicate a poor oil change interval, or perhaps was normal for these early 5.4's.. But cylinder scoring? That's abnormal for 56K

My reason for mentioning transmission neglect is that this is often true. Folks change their engine oil and filter often, but its suprising as to how many skip out on the automatic transmission. It might be because many automobile manufacturers state in the owners manual that the transmission has "lifetime" oil, but they do not define what "lifetime" is. I guess lifetime is when the transmission gives up.
To the OP, I'd have all the fluids replaced on that truck for good safe measure. If that engine had to be replaced at 56K due to cylinder scoring, I'd suspect it was perhaps abused by its previous owner, or did not have a good maintenance scedule done on it. Changing all the major fluids (rear end, transmission, engine oil, and antifreeze at the very least) will give you some piece of mind that the truck will go on to give you upwards of 200K or beyond of good service.

Matthew West

I went out and checked the valve covers, and there are no date code stickers (no stickers what-so-ever!) I've got the invoice from Ford.