Which Modular Engine is the Toughest?

MachME

2V Power
Established Member
Joined
Dec 29, 2005
Messages
5,896
Location
Z
Look up the fordtech guy on youtube, he has indepth of every part of a 5.4 3v and the trucks they were on. It hurt's to say, but those engines do seem like they are junk. The oil pumps fail and the spark plug issue/hassle, just not worth it. Ford also put some fuel relay thing that is alum on the metal frame, so it corrodes and just will leave you stranded without warning.
 

Tifosi2003GT

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2006
Messages
4,907
Location
R.I
Did the later plastic truck manifolds have the cracking issue. I know the truck engines had aluminum intakes up to around 2000.

most 2v's with plastic intakes have leaked by now and all have revised intake.. if not they can be had cheap.
 

Sirhc7897

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
1,063
Location
Macclenny, FL
My vote goes for the 2V 4.6.

The odometer on my dads 97 F-150 that he hunts out of quit working 10ish years ago with somewhere north of 300k hard miles on it. Thing is still kicking today. The truck is falling apart but that motor just keeps on trucking. God know how many miles are on it now. I’d wager at least 500k.


Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com
 

black4vcobra

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Party Liquor Posse
Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Messages
4,460
Location
Cottage Grove, WI
It probably won't have the longevity of the lower rpm and lower stressed 2V 4.6's but I think Ford did a great job with the 4V 4.6 assuming it is not pushed past it's mechanical limits. Plenty of NA Cobras and Mach 1's take a good beating without the engine grenading. That's pretty impressive considering the engines 7000 rpm capability.

The NA Cobras don't seem to have the valve guide and seizing issues the Terminator does.
 

RedVenom48

Let's go Brandon!
Established Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2014
Messages
7,973
Location
Arizona
Did the later plastic truck manifolds have the cracking issue. I know the truck engines had aluminum intakes up to around 2000.
On my former 2002 Explorer 4.6L, the Romeo 2v had the plastic intake with aluminum crossover tube. That was the first upgrade. It still relied on molded groves in the plastic flanges to locate and support the o-ring style gaskets. Still a weak link. Mine was puking from the upper plastic groove after it burst.

The latest version has aluminum crossover that now features the sealing ring grooves on it. The Manifold to cylinder head flange is now all flat and there is a special gasket assembly located by the manifold location studs.

Ive had to replace the manifold on my old 4.6 2V and my dads 5.4 2V. No issues on my dads 5.4, the 4.6 is still in the family and ok so far.

As for the 4.6/5.4 3v, the 2013-2014 GT500 oil pump is listed as an upgrade part for the 3v's. My guess is that the original factory 3V oil pumps simply couldnt supply the system with enough oil volume and pressure.

If Im not mistaken, that was Ford's first attempt at V8 cam phasing wasnt it?
 

Klaus

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2018
Messages
13,538
Location
minnesota
Look up the fordtech guy on youtube, he has indepth of every part of a 5.4 3v and the trucks they were on. It hurt's to say, but those engines do seem like they are junk. The oil pumps fail and the spark plug issue/hassle, just not worth it. Ford also put some fuel relay thing that is alum on the metal frame, so it corrodes and just will leave you stranded without warning.

Car wizard did a 15 min beatdown of the 5.4 3 valve. Seems like an idiotic design to me.
 

tt335ci03cobra

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2008
Messages
6,958
Location
USA
Honestly the approachable stuff, 03/04 4.6 2v’s are tough.

If we are talking shortblock, easily the 05/06 Ford gt shortblocks, followed by 03/04 cobra’s.

If we mean true longblocks with all accessories, I’d say an 03/04 4.6 2v is a very long lasting setup.
 

Double"O"

N2S come get some
Established Member
Joined
May 12, 2003
Messages
22,346
Location
PA
Hard to argue against the 2v 4.6

Think of how many miles the police crown vic's have with those 4.6 bullets
 

shurur

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2011
Messages
3,760
Location
Lutz, FL
AL blocks only

1. 2005 - 200? 4.6 3v Aluminator Cosworth
?newmak? block

2. 1996-1999.5 4.6 4v Teksid block
 

03Sssnake

TK-421
Established Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2002
Messages
40,146
Location
not at my post...
Ford could have kept the Crown Vic line going just on LEO sales.

I really wish that Ford had done that, kept it LEO and or fleet only...I think chevy had some degree of success bringing the caprice ppv back for LEO only. The crown vic was so beloved by police and civilians alike, I am still dumbfounded by fords decision to kill it.
 

me32

BEASTLY SHELBY GT500 TVS
Moderator
Premium Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2005
Messages
18,457
Location
CA,NorCal
I really wish that Ford had done that, kept it LEO and or fleet only...I think chevy had some degree of success bringing the caprice ppv back for LEO only. The crown vic was so beloved by police and civilians alike, I am still dumbfounded by fords decision to kill it.

I still dont understand that to this day. There still in use in alot of places.
 

Silverstrike

It's to big to move FAST!
Established Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2002
Messages
8,594
Location
Here/there/some other silly place
I really wish that Ford had done that, kept it LEO and or fleet only...I think chevy had some degree of success bringing the caprice ppv back for LEO only. The crown vic was so beloved by police and civilians alike, I am still dumbfounded by fords decision to kill it.


Because the Crown Vic wasn't able to pass the then new roll over crash ratings 2011/12 (This is why the roof pillars are so dang think in newer vehicles). That and the architecture was ancient (1979). And I'm not bashing the Panther platform as I owned 2 in my lifetime and they gave me 0 issues 2001 CV Sport and my 2003 Merc Marauder.

There was 7568 PPV's imported from 2011 to 2017. Having to wait for parts (From Australia) was the killing factor of the car and why so few was bought by dept's. vs the Interceptor and Chargers. As you didn't have to wait for most body parts with the Ford Interceptor and Charger (3 week avg for the PPV).

PPV build list
 
Last edited:

nxhappy

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Messages
10,031
Location
AZ
2v 4.6 and 5.4 motors are ridiculously reliable. Especially the 4.6 . All those damn taxi cabs had 300-400k with no major issues. I loved my old 4.6 GT, added the SC with 14 pounds and the stock motor still took all my beatings hahaha.
 

nxhappy

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2006
Messages
10,031
Location
AZ
also need to add, the 2v spark plug coils are junk. Pretty common for them to overheat and short out. Happened on both my mustang and my trucks.
 

aoc racer

Ford is hella cool
Established Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2003
Messages
5,552
Location
Tustin, CA
Well my 2009 F150 with the 4.6l Triton has 215xxx miles and still going strong. Mind you I did have to change all the pulleys.
 

me32

BEASTLY SHELBY GT500 TVS
Moderator
Premium Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2005
Messages
18,457
Location
CA,NorCal
Well my 2009 F150 with the 4.6l Triton has 215xxx miles and still going strong. Mind you I did have to change all the pulleys.
Solid truck. Personally i think the 09/10 were the best of the 05-10 generation. You got the updated cam phasers and 6 speed auto
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top