The 4.6L modular motor from Ford is the most commonly used engine in the modular series. Like the 5.4 and 6.8L variants, the 4.6L ‘mod motor’ was introduced to the Ford truck lineup in 1997.

When the 4.6L modular motor first was introduced to the Ford F150, it offered 220 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque with a 2-valve per head design. In 1999, the 4.6L 2V got an increase in power to 231 horsepower and 293 lb-ft of torque, and that output remained the same through the 2007 model year. In 2008 the 4.6L 2V jumped in power again with the horsepower increasing to 248, with the torque remaining the same.

The 2009 model year brought about a complete redesign of the F150 and with it, a refreshed engine lineup. The 4.6L 2V was the base model engine, with no V6 offered in 2009 or 2010, and this 248 horsepower V8 made it the largest entry level engine available in the light truck market. Also in 2009, the 4.6L 3-valve engine was introduced—with a head design similar to what was found on the 2005 and Ford Mustang GT—pushing 292 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. All of the engine specs from the 2009 model year remained the same in 2010.