Hey folks, I'm new to FTE... I just bought a 97 V-10 motörhome, 64,000 miles, and am getting ready to go through it and change oil, air filter, fuel filter, possibly plugs, rear end gear oil. Any advice on synthetics, k&n or better, platinum plugs, chips etc...you know, stuff to make run a bit more efficiently, last longer, and be more dependable...I don't ever expect to get great or even good gas mileage, but anything you may know of to help...every little bit helps.

 

Synthetic oils are fine if you want to use them. If the rear diff specs 75W140 your stuck using a synthetic. The K&N is not necessary and you will not notice any difference with it. I would replace the spark plugs and COP boots due to age. For plugs I prefer and have been using the Motorcraft single platinum plugs however the Autolite single platinum plugs work fine also. I prefer to change the plugs fairly often and not put more than 50k on a set.

Not really any mods that are going to help fuel mileage. Basically just maintain everything well. A good custom tune will be a benefit in the performance department which you may want to consider down the road if you want to put more power to the ground.

 

Thank you, great advice...i'll do it!

 

Welciome, and congratulations!
I'm with dkf. There's not a lot of "easy" improvements, Ford did a mighty fine job right from the get go. A tuner is about the only improvement worth the cost. And Mike at 5 Star is the tune wizard for the V10.
Napa Gold (or other quality name brand) paper filters flow more than enough and filter MUCH better than the bling stuff.
Motorcraft plugs with new boots - AND RESEARCH HOW TO INSTALL CORRECTLY! I can't scream that loud enough. These are taper seat steel plugs in aluminum heads. There is no crush washer to absorb excess tightening. The old tighten it 'til snug and then give it a 1/4 turn for good measure WILL destroy the heads and result in plugs getting blown out. So will undertorquing. Sooooo many of these have been screwed up that this great engine has a tarnished reputation.
Lots of recommendations on what's best. Myself, I choose Motorcraft plugs (as they are now nickel plated threads - bright silver color - and will not sieze) installed dry and torqued to 15-20 ft-lb. Others do differently and are happy. Do your research and choose your favorite.

At that age, anything rubber should be on the list to be replaced over the next couple years. Belts, coolant hoses, brake lines, fuel lines, etc.

 

Thanks...all good points...will do.

 

All good info so far, I can't think of anything to add

 

Hey along the RV side of things, before you get crazy changing that fuel filter make sure you get under there and take a look because there's a good chance its not a factory ford fuel filter because if you have a generator, the filter will me a single in dual out filter to split the fuel to the generator. I'm an RV tech for Camping World and believe me, you CAN Not find those filters in any local place. Order from Thor company for us only. Just a little heads up. Also check on how much oil yours is actually set to hold. Some hold a quart of so more if they have a remote set up for the oil filter if its in a tight area. Its rare and I've only seen it on an 08, so not to worried with an older model. Hope it helps, besides those two things, don't be afraid to run the s**t out of it, the V10 likes it.

 

Thanks again Dennis and Krewat... I'll check the FF and The Gen Oil set up...Always open to good advice... Gcpeck

 

Gcpeck,

You sure you have a 1997 year V-10 in that M/H ??, because what I've been reading, the 1999 was the first year for the V-10 to be in a M/H chassis.
1998 year model M/Hs had the 460 FI to my understanding, which would be a 1997 model chassis.
The chassis with the V-10, would have been produced in 1998, delivered to the M/H MFG & then be sold as a 1999 year.
I could stand corrected on this, but is my understand in reading about the V-10 that it only came in the class A in 1999.

I suppose the question is, do you have a class C or a class A M/H.
Neil