Found this today about changes to the 5.4L V-8.
http://www.auto.com/industry/eside6_20021106.htm

What I found most interesting was this at the end of the article:

Ford will add three-valve heads to its 4.6-liter V8 and 6.8-liter V10 within several years. Torque is a big selling point for full-size pickups because it reflects towing capacity.

 

Since the Excursion is going to be discontinued I was thinking. Do you think this 3-valve V10 will be a drop-in replacement for my V10 down the road? I like the idea of having this truck long enough to go through a couple engines.

 

Lets face it 2 valves can make as much torque as 3. I think the 3 valves gives more swirl in the cumbustion chamber and allows Ford to lower emmisions.

My question is that Dailmer Benz (sp) was suied b/c of pattent infrengment or something to use the 3v head has this passed?