3 tons wrote:
MikeJinCO wrote:
Our local motor rebuilder has had several modular block Fords in and thinks one of the major problems on the 3 valve motor is that the variable cam timing mechanisms can get all gummed up from either not changing oil or going to dealers for the super cheap oil changes with unknown oil quality. These new motors are very complex compared to the old small block Chevy or Ford.
Agree, staying with the factory spec oil is critical on any engine with variable cam phasers, else a valve failure can await...Fords 4.6 3 valve V8 is also is a candidate for spark plug failure... One would think that as many engines over the years that Ford has build they’d know how to rectify and this issue....My 07 Shelby ‘garage queen’ has only 10.8 k miles on the clock and the thought of a plug thread failure scares me...
Just to chime in on oil with these engines. When I replaced faulty head gaskets, another story, I discovered two hydraulic lifter like devices that place pressure against the nylon timing chain guides in the front right and left of the engine. Both were clogged closed with dirt or wear particles either from poor maintenance and not changing the oil at proper intervals, or not using the 5-30 weight oil FORD recommends. There is also a small orifice next to these hydraulic devices that is supposed to direct and spray oil on the timing chains and nylon chain guides. I suppose I was lucky my head gaskets failed or I wouldn't have found this timebomb of a problem in my engine to fix. My have saved me a bunch of other repair costs if it had failed. Change your oil regularly with these engines folks.
