2001 and up Ford Problem Cylinder Heads

Some Ford cylinder heads have an extra "step shaped" material above the spark plug hole. Since the 55518 counter bore tool is included in the 5553 and 5600 kits; we recommend these two kits for 2001 and up applications. The Calvan 38900 does NOT have a counterbore tool and is not designed to be used with Time Sert's 55518 counter bore tool. Using the Calvan 38900 on heads with this extra step material could result in the insert/spark plug riding higher in the hole. This would mean that the spark plug would not reach the proper distance into the cylinder.

Below is how Time Sert describes how to check if you are working on a cylinder head that has the extra step shaped material above the spark plug hole.

PROBLEM FORD HEADS ROMEO STYLE 

RF-1L2E or RF-2C5E have a step. 

Check the casting number if your vehicle is 2001 and newer.

If your vehicle is 2000 or earlier you do not have a step in your head
just skip the counterbore tool p/n 55518 and start with the reamer tool.

If you are repairing a RF-1L2E or RF-2C5E head, this is a Romeo 2001 and up PI head. Due to a countersink problem with the head design, a special counterbore tool P/N 55518 is needed to give the hole clearance for the repair.
Checking Casting number and location:

The most important part in the above casting number is the second set of digits 1L2E.
Location of casting number: This Casting number can be found just above the
exhaust manifold.

If you use a digital camera or cell phone camera and take a picture you will see the image correctly.
If looking down from the passenger side it should be located just below the oil dip stick.
If looking down from the driver side it should be located further back near the firewall.

If you use a mirror to see it from the top view note that the number will appear backwards.
You are just looking for the RF-1L2E start of the casting number.

Below is a Section view of problem:
The left picture "problem head 1L2E" will not allow the reamer to the correct location.
The p/n 5553 kit includes a counterbore that will prepair the hole by cutting out the "extra step" of aluminum
not present in other ford heads.

The counterbore p/n 55518 is a self guiding tool that has a pilot shank with 45 degree stop just before the 4 cutting teeth. The counterbore will cut out the extra material found in the FORD 1L2E heads and will stop at the correct depth by stopping on the original OEM taper seat in the aluminum head. 

 Now continue with the 5553 or 5600 repair kit and the insert will be in the correct location. Also see the Calvan 38900.

See the video below for more information on the location of the casting number on 2001 & up Ford 2V 4.6, 5.4 and 6.8 engines.