I am looking for any advice in the next 48hrs about a triton v10. this will be my first ford and it is a e350 with quigley 4x4 conversion. i will admit and dont hold it against me but all i have ever had are chevy and toyota 4x4's. but i really want a van and ford has the market cornered. I found an 08 with 170k, and 5010 hrs on the motor. it is a previous homeland security truck. all i have read is good reviews on the v-10 so what am should i be looking for when i check out this van. ANY and ALL advice will be greatly APPRECIATED!!
Best regards,
Jason

 

At that mileage look at the exhaust manifold studs. they break off after a while. they can be repaired, just not for free. Try to find out when the sparkplugs were changed. be financially prepared to make some repairs. Some V-10's go a long time others don't. Most things can be fixed. I'm not familiar with what it’s like working on a Van. I did have a mechanic friend make the statement "one of the more hellish jobs I ever did was an engine replacement on a V10 van". I would emagine it’s real tight in there. I think the only “easy” van I ever owned was on of the last years of the straight six. Around ’92 vintage I believe. Very nice to work on. Just no power and sounded awfull.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

the exhaust manifold studs and spark plugs are two of the biggest problems. everything else is just regular maintenence. see if you can get an oasis report from a ford dealer. V10/quigley is a great combo.....i would jump on it. good luck. post pics if you pick it up.

 

My advice would be that if it's a dealer, negotiate a spark plug change into the purchase price. They will probably give you a line on how they don't need plugs for 8 jillion miles.. blah blah blah. But, if they agree, you will have the peace of mind that this royal pain in the rear has been done, and any broken plug/stripped hole/timesert/torn coil boot issues have been addressed, and won't be a concern for you in the future. If it's a private party, maybe the seller covers any expenses beyond what a dealer may charge for s "trouble free" swap. Go in and get it done, and when the number 6 plug breaks and the dealer hits you for that additional$500.00 for that 1 plug, you're covered! Just an idea.