Two problems related to engine have been reported for the 1997 Ford E-350. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The #3 spark plug on my '97 Ford E-350 van blew out (about 1 year after the plugs were changed) while starting to drive slowly in a parking lot. I have been told by more than one mechanic that this is common on this engine (5. 4 l 8-cylinder) and that it is a design defect. I have not had the money to get it fixed yet (estimated by mechanic to be $1500 to pull the head and repair). I have also read that there is a good possibility of fire when this happens, although that did not happen in our case (we shut down the engine right away and had it towed home).
Spark plug was blown out of the aluminum head of an E-350 Ford v-8 vortex engine. Mechanics I have spoken to have reported familiarity with this exact problem when vehicle reaches 60,000 plus miles. Individual with same type and year (97) truck is having same trouble.