With all this reading I'm about to end up with a splitting headache! I have a feeling that you're gonna end up replacing the head just to solve the plug hole thing all that trying to fix the threads that have been stripped and redone probably more than once. I've never had any luck with a v-6 from any car company before. All any of us can do is offer our advise and it's up to the owner of the vehicle on what he or she wants to do with getting it fixed. There's only so many times a hole can be rethreaded before you end up with either a peice of scrap metal or going to a bigger plug. and then GOD only knows what plug is the right one. you need to fix one thing at a time and then find out if another goes away or not.

 

You're absolutely right Mr. Grindman. However, since suggestions are cheap, especially from the experienced people like us out there, the is NO harm making a suggestion that may or may not help someone.
He may wind up with a piece of scrap metal. However, he has a driveability concern that makes the car almost worthless, and was starting at major engine work, anyway.
So, if the idea of rethreading it works for a while, so much the better.
To give you an illustration, I had sticking shift solenoids in my 99 Escort; it would neutral out when shifting into 3rd gear every once in a while. This started 3 years ago, and has gotten progressively worse. I lent the car to a friend, with instructions on how to drive it when this conditon occurs. Since sloth has never been one of my shortcomings, and I had an extra tranmission laying around that will now be rebuilt and installed, I postponed it.
The car has accumulated 50,000 miles with the trans problem. I knew that there was no way I was going to go back into that box and fix it, and wanted to see how long it would last.
I had no idea it would be so long. I'm glad. I got it through a very difficult time in my life, and now it will be a very simple thing to overhaul it and install it.
And besides, you've worked on so many cars, I would've thought that you'd have all for it!

 

Ok, well we were able to rethread the holes...no new head!!
The vehicle still seems to flair between between 2nd and 3rd gear. I've heard there was a flash or tsb for this...
I'm thinking it's not related to the rough idle...so if someone could send me a brand new trans in the mail I would greatly appreciated it. All kidding asside...thoughts?

 

I really hate to say it, but reflashes really did help lower milage vehicles. When they get some age and milage, not so much.
However, the residue of professionalism in me recommends to do the reflash and reevalutate the problem.
Then, on the other hand, the tranny tech in me says you're probably on the downside of a rebuild.
These were a really easy trans to overhaul (much easier then the bigger brother 5r55n/e/w), and while you're at it you can install a new EPC solenoid (which was always a problem) and a shift kit that will prevent this very same concern.
Then, there's the hack in me that says 'drive it till it drops', like I did with my Escort.
And now, I'm off to rebuild the 4eat for my escort!

 

How do I determine what transmission I have in my truck? Is there a site that will do it with my vin or a door code? I have a code 730...the tech suspects valve body or solenoid?

 

In this specific truck, you have either the 4 or 5r55e trans. If it's the '4 and a half speed', which means when you get on the throttle to more then half open and it has the 'other gear' that's not there when under that throttle, it's the 5r. If it's the straight 4 speed, it's not there.
It doesn't matter, because the internals all identical. All that's different is in the valve body, and very little in there is different.
If you have a lot of miles (I don't remember, sorrry), then you could try a new EPC solenoid and a shift kit (which was designed for exacly this concern). The EPC solenoids always leaked in these tranmissions, and can create a lot of this concern.
Let me know what you do.

 

I am taking it into the "Trans specialists" this morning. I will keep everyone informed.

I believe it is the 5r55e, not 100% sure but 99%
Alot of my research lead me to valve body issues and valve body gasket issues in this trans...we shall see. I will def post the end result once I have it for future onlookers.

 

Well, I used to be one of the elite trans specialists, and I've repaired so very many of these, it's not funny.
Yes, they had a lot of valve body and lots of problems with the seperator plate gaskets; if you take off the body, the bad ones will be very britttle and most likely have pieces blown out and/or missing.
When the body is out, clean the VB with brake cleaner. DO NOT turn the body over, as you'll loose all the spring and valve keepers, and it's really tough to get them all back in.
Also, pay attention to the TCC apply and limit valves; they had a habit of sticking. If they do, put the body in the freezer and whack it around a few times. That usually does it.
I'm just a hack now. Hanky put me in my place!

 

Hanky wouldn't do anything like that intentionally. How did he do that?

 

Hanky, you're perfect. Not only do you give the right anwers all the time, I can't remember the last time you've been mistaken (notice, I didn't say wrong) about something. I wish I had your expertise while working on my cars. Might make my life easier!