Another summer is almost over and I can't say enough how pleased I am with my 2 year old F350. I bought it new and it has about 13 000 miles now but I am still grinning. Its my 2nd V10 and it was the last year Ford made them in the F350 chassis.
I towed my car hauler and FJ40 along with my 23 ft Islander. The truck never got below 10.4 mpg and never missed a beat. I don't even think of my 6.0 debacle of years ago....
I never have a worry with this truck, I concentrate on having fun instead.

 

Many of us have known for years that the V10 was a hidden jewel in Fords stable, you can run them hard and they come back for more. We would still have one if they were still available in the F350.

Denny

 

V10 is great power plant. I would of bought another also, with the 6 speed tranny I bet it would of been a monster.

 

It is somewhat a "mixed bag" though , over the years we all witnessed here the examples of both end of the spectrum . There are numerous owners with 300K+ miles (once I personally encountered a 2003 F-350 with dually chassis in commercial use , that had over 400K miles and looked as good as mine despite its commercial use ) . On the other hand , we also witnessed (on this very website) catastrophic failures of V-10 engines . Some due to bent valves , some due to failed cam-stopper, some due to hydro-locked engine , some due to spark plug failure and fallen debris into the cylinder (because of use of a wrong type of spark plug, that was a Bosch plug according to my records ) .

When I am getting ready to hitch up the trailer , these examples go thru my mind ,sometimes I wonder where my V-10 will be on this V-10 longevity spectrum.

 

I was one of the failures with an exaust valve failier, I pushed it to far and it cost me to put a new engine in 60k miles ago. Sheet happens and it still a great engine.

 

I dunno....
Compared to what I was used to this is a dream. And my old 99' never had any trouble other than a single cop failure.
I could have bought a diesel but the 6.4 was not for me. And I have zero urge to own a 6.7 as this truck sits for months in the winter, outside, at 40 below. And it starts right up when asked.
I will continue to "pour on the coal" with my gasser!

 

I have said this many times before; all you reall have to do is to review the TSB's for every year the V-10 was offered compared to every diesel engine made by Ford(or International) including the hyped 7.3(which I had 2, a'97 and an '02, both great trucks) and NONE of them have had the success or low maintenance according the lowly 6.8 V-10. Why do you think the vast majority of Class C motor homes have Ford V-10's? Dependability and low maintenance; change the oil, gas it and go. 40 below? No problem and no worries about blended No. 1 and Power Service or frozen fuel filters, etc, etc. The V-10 is King and Ford made a big mistake by not still offering it for most consumers.

 

How exactly did you push it too far? Specifics??

 

I also had a 7.3. But my present 6.8 truck would run circles around the 7.3. The new trans and coil suspension up front are worlds away from the older trucks.
And a $20 oil change keeps it happy.

 

I heard the odd noise and had an appointment for the truck to be looked at the next morning. I was going between Illinois and Wisconsin, made it to the rest area at the state line when the rod went. Details here, https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-flatbed.html

 

Thanks for providing link to your thread.

 

Following thread contains numerous " happy V-10 owners" with several 100K miles on the clock . It is a pleasant visit .

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...their-v10.html

 

Looks like some fun toys to use during the summer months! Crazy to think winter is approaching.......

 

Not a fan of this type of post but what caught my eye was it was a new truck. IMHO OP, you are under-trailered...put a load on that thing man!
As far as longevity goes, mine has 175K on it. Other than regular maintenance, I've only had to replace the alternator...twice. After I bought a new, much bigger camper ( a real load!) I considered going newer V10, but cant part with the X, so...slide in 4.30 gears and some suspension mods and we're going to be good to go (though a 6 spd would be appreciated). The mileage doesn't bother me.

 

I've had 3 V10's, 04 F250, 00 Excursion and present 00 F350 DRW. Only issues I've had on them has been exhaust manifold bolts. Other then that they've all been very good tow rigs and wouldn't trade any of them for a diesel powered truck. I've found they are much less expensive to own in comparison to diesels.