Ford continues 5.4

I'm not a fan of the Triton 5.4 engine in any of the configurations. I owned one and wasn't impressed. :)

Yep, my 2v Triton 5.4L is still pulling strong.

rexlion wrote:
I will never own another 5.4L after the one I had blew spark plugs 3 times (each time while towing, IIRC).

I know that feeling. Well, almost. My V-10 blew one (not three) while I owned it and possibly more right before that. The plugs were changed out by a local Ford dealer before I bought it. Stuff happens. I try to not hold any grudge, not easy I know.

This "plug shortcoming" was a concern as I prepare to buy a new (rebuilt) V-10. I then noted that many rebuilt blocks advertise the PI heads. I wasn't sure what they were. Ford used to label performance engines PI, for Police Interceptor.

Now it appears that PI stands for Performance Improved. The idea is that the design evolved as Ford continued to make the product. The newer 2-valve and all later 3-valve heads have better spark plug threads. The link above refers to 2000 as the magic year, but other sources have mentioned 2002 if I recall. Basically, I might want the PI heads for a replacement engine.

The newer of the V-10, V-8 Ford designs are solid performers. I think the V-10 efficiency is improved over the old Ford 460 design; i.e. the Ford V-10 seems to have a slight fuel economy advantage while towing. The V-8 is a match for the old 351 Windsor it replaced.

A new engine will cost more than I paid for the used truck, but I still trust the updates enough to do it as a matter of budget control over buying a new truck.

Wes
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I will never own another 5.4L after the one I had blew spark plugs 3 times (each time while towing, IIRC).

Excellent post Wes!

My 5.4L at 78k miles has lived up to my expectations. The whole truck has except for the uncomfortable seats. It's been trouble free. It's going to have to last a long time to come.

Whoops.

I thought this was a thread about an engine built by Ford.

.............but now that I see the candle lit altar.......

Henry Ford built the Willow Run assembly plant during WWII. In that plant Ford built B-24 Bombers.

By the end of the war, they were producing one B-24 off the assembly line every 55 minutes. Amazing.

So I am sure Ford will not have a problem these days gearing up or down for engine production as they deem necessary.

Having two factory supercharged Ford modular motors, I can attest to the fact that they are very reliable and have tons of potential.

The other patriotic benefit was that this same intact workerforce and corporate infrastructure won a couple of wars for the U.S and Canada.

Could have gone either way.. as "ole henry" was working for both sides.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/daily/nov98/nazicars30.htm

"Ford and GM Scrutinized for Alleged Nazi Collaboration"

"Hitler was an admirer of American mass production techniques and an avid reader of the antisemitic tracts penned by Henry Ford"

I am glad that they are extending the life of the 5.4. And Wes, thank you for an intelligent post. I agree with your statement 100%.