Question for mechanics

[Seahawk12]

I've got an 01 f150 with the 5.4l engine.
I replaced the engine 5 or 6 years ago.
10 days ago it overheated. I pulled the manifold to make see if it had cracked because of white smoke from the exhaust.
Looks to me like the head is cracked.
I give up on trusting this vehicle.
I'm going to by a diesel truck in a few weeks.
I wouldn't mind attempting to replace the head and keep it around for a beater rig.
Where is a good place to source a replacement head?

[jackelope]

So you can see an external crack on the head?

[Seahawk12]

After I removed the manifold I saw what looks like cracks leading to cylinders 6, 7, and 8.
Heres a pic: 

[Woodchuck]

Aluminum Head Rebuilders out of Portland. 

[deerlick]

That's not where they usually crack. Clean that up and inspect it closer.

[BigGoonTuna]

  almost looks like a line from a casting

my dad's got a '97 F150 that he blew the head gasket on about 5 years ago.  i remember telling him i could probably fix it, until i read that the easiest way to do it is to start by pulling the cab off the frame.  that, and the special tools needed for the cam timing on those engines...it's still sitting in the yard.

[Woodchuck]

That's not where they usually crack. Clean that up and inspect it closer.

Or have a machine shop test them. 

[jackelope]

I assume it overheated because it was out of coolant. Did you pressure test the cooling system before you pulled it apart?

Don't buy a diesel assuming you're going to get a more reliable vehicle. Also be aware that when they do break(not if), they're more expensive and more complicated to repair.
 

[Seahawk12]

Thanks for the replies.
Here's the lead up.
The truck was running just fine. No real issues.
I made a trade with a guy I know for a yj that he had picked up in AZ. Only catch was that I needed to pick it up from his place in Chelan.
So, I decided to change all the fluids out in the truck before going over to tow it back.
As part of the coolant change I used a coolant system cleaner.
Drove over. No issues.
Towed the jeep back. No issues.
Daily driver for two weeks. No issues.
Then the heater stops blowing hot air.
Coolant levels are fine.
I changed out the thermostat. No change.
I changed out the water pump. No change.
I pull the hoses running to the heater core and flush it out.
Heater works.
Drive it the next day and idiot light come on and it's over heating. I pull over and after letting it cool topped off the coolant.
I took it home and the temp stayed normal.
Next day the same thing, but it started hard.
I took it down to orielys and had them give me the codes.
It gave overheat codes and #s 6 7 and 8 misfiring.

I've had manifolds fail before, so I tore it down that far to check it. It looks fine, but there was coolant down in the head and what looked to me like cracks (see picture).
That's where things stand now.