New Ford Gas 7.3L V8 and 10-speed TorqShift

Don't expect to see either in a Class C chassis until spring.

The first year of a brand new engine always seems to have it's issues.

You have to watch out for the weird requirements too. A mechanic friend who works at a Jeep dealer told me last night that the new Wrangler 2.0L Turbo engine requires a special Mopar engine oil. Using any other type of motor oil will damage the engine and void the warranty. And Chrysler has a method in knowing when cheating. What the heck was Chrysler thinking?

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Here's what I've been able to find in Ford's fleet document:

-There is no 2020 E-series. Instead, they will have an early release of the 2021 model.

-Production starts in January.

-The 7.3L will come in both an "Economy" calibration, and a "Premium" calibration. I suspect the economy calibration will match the numbers for the current 6.2L in the E-series (330 horsepower). Or maybe be better still, otherwise they'd just keep the 6.2L option like they are in the F-series. So the Premium calibration has potential to be quite a bit more powerful than the V10.

-The 2021 E-series does NOT get the 10-speed. It gets the 6-speed still. I'm hoping it won't take long for the 10-speed to get added.

-Dual alternators (240 + 157 amp) are optional

-The instrument cluster and steering wheel finally get updated to current F-series spec. Which means they are also adding Emergency Brake Assist, Lane departure warning, adaptive cruise, TPMS etc.

2020 Fleet Preview Guide

ron.dittmer wrote:
The first year of a brand new engine always seems to have it's issues.

I agree with the completely. It's been 23 years since Ford made a pushrod V8. Regardless of how well it's been engineered, I suspect the production line (and suppliers) will have a bit of a re-learning curve.

carringb wrote:

ron.dittmer wrote:
The first year of a brand new engine always seems to have it's issues.

I agree with the completely. It's been 23 years since Ford made a pushrod V8. Regardless of how well it's been engineered, I suspect the production line (and suppliers) will have a bit of a re-learning curve.

Looking at the video they mentioned they use elements from other engines such as valve seats from the turbo diesel. The design could be great and preproduction testing done but having every engine in the initial production run perfect unlikely.

carringb wrote:
Here's what I've been able to find in Ford's fleet document:

-There is no 2020 E-series. Instead, they will have an early release of the 2021 model.

-Production starts in January.

-The 7.3L will come in both an "Economy" calibration, and a "Premium" calibration. I suspect the economy calibration will match the numbers for the current 6.2L in the E-series (330 horsepower). Or maybe be better still, otherwise they'd just keep the 6.2L option like they are in the F-series. So the Premium calibration has potential to be quite a bit more powerful than the V10.

-The 2021 E-series does NOT get the 10-speed. It gets the 6-speed still. I'm hoping it won't take long for the 10-speed to get added.

-Dual alternators (240 + 157 amp) are optional

-The instrument cluster and steering wheel finally get updated to current F-series spec. Which means they are also adding Emergency Brake Assist, Lane departure warning, adaptive cruise, TPMS etc.

2020 Fleet Preview Guide

That is good. The 6-speed TorqShift is used only on the F250 in 2020 so perhaps that indicates a fit issue in the E350/E450

RambleOnNW wrote:

That is good. The 6-speed TorqShift is used only on the F250 in 2020 so perhaps that indicates a fit issue in the E350/E450

From this video, i'm not sure it's a fitment issue. https://youtu.be/sD_1CFr2lAg?t=114

I suspect it might have more to do with 1) vehicle configuration (3rd overdrive probably won't be beneficial in a full-profile vehicle) 2) driveline and axle limitations (because the greater torque multiplication of the 10R140 would probably damage the current driveline and differential).

That said... it would be nice if they went back up to a 11.25" ring gear in the E450, like some had for the first couple years. Then GCWRs could go up to match the new power output.

IMO, the article is typical magazine tech writer drivel. You can't just compare one engines cubic inch displacement with another to predict the power output. Especially if one engine is a V10 and the other is a V8. The V10 is a higher revving overhead cam design and the V8 has pushrods. The V10 for the F53 has 3 valves per cylinder. 2 intake, 1 exhaust. The V8, I'm not sure. The V10 has been production for +- 20 years. The V8 design is old, but it is new . . . . . again.

Clearly the new V8 will be cheaper to build than the V10. But, what about the volumetric efficiency? Smaller cylinders are typically better than larger ones. Oh well, . . . . . we'll just have to wait and see what Ford says about the new engine they designed and built. Who knows, the numbers could be better!

Chum lee