The vans never got the 3 valve 5.4 with the problem plugs. To this day, they use the 2-valve 5.4 which has the same plug setup as the 4.6. Given that your bought your van as a wreck, it's not like you really had an engine choice anyway. IMO the 4.6 is the best gas mileage engine that any mfr put in a big van IF you run lightly loaded.

Of course, the 2 valve engines were known to blow plugs and this was worse with the 5.4 and 6.8 V10.

Good to hear it's quiet. I used to put loud exhaust systems on cars way back when and although I like the sound of a nice V8 a LOT, would not want to put myself through the noise of a droning engine. And a van could make the noise really bad.

Dipstick ain't a lot of fun--it's like down in a hole, so I won't check my oil when I'm wearing nice clothing (especially now that my van is 12 years old). It could be worse...the newer BMW's lack a dipstick entirely and rely on an oil level gauge or something like that. They probably want you to go to the dealer to have them add oil

Good luck with it,
George

 

All Modular Motors post-97 are much the same relative to the so-called horror stories of blown plugs. Whether the 4.6, 5.4 or 6.8 (V10) they're the same design and construction especially the heads and therefore subject to common issues such as plugs.

What's seldom mentioned is why they blow out. If its not within a short while after new it's more commonly traced to a heavy handed "mechanic" changing plugs incorrectly. This includes careful removal as well as proper installation.

 

This is definitely correct, but I believe that the 5.4 and 6.8 were statistically more likely to blow plugs out, because they have over a half inch longer stroke and therefore more vibration and cylinder pressure. You didn't read a lot of stories of plug blowouts on Crown Vic forums, but they were much more common on the truck forums with the longer stroke mod motors and harder working engines.

And there has been a lot of confusion about the 5.4/6.8 3 valve engines with plugs getting stuck in the heads...I would definitely not want one of those engines, but as I said, they never made it into the vans. (They came out in pickups in 2004, and Expy's in 2005, and got a different head design in 2009.)

Take care, and verbal good reps to you, JWA....I spend my life in rep jail with you
George

 

[QUOTE=YoGeorge;14073862]

And there has been a lot of confusion about the 5.4/6.8 3 valve engines with plugs getting stuck in the heads...I would definitely not want one of those engines, but as I said, they never made it into the vans. (They came out in pickups in 2004, and Expy's in 2005, and got a different head design in 2009.)

Correct on the 3 V heads----seems a rather faulty design and manufacture of those plugs was the biggest issue. Along with several Ford TSB's and numerous YouTube et al presentations R&R'ing those plugs can be managed but its still fraught with way too many problems for me.

I'm equally glad the E-Series never received that "upgrade".

Good tidings are welcome however they're delivered----right back at cha my friend!

 

Ha,,,,,, learn something new almost everyday.

I never know that the Vans had a different motor (heads) than others. I should have figured something was up when the OEM 8 lug PU slotted polished alloy wheels wouldn't fit the 8 lug Van hubs.

Couldn't figure out why a neighbor's brand new '10 3/4 ton PU, old 8 lug steel wheels wouldn't fit his truck.

250/350 Vans are the old 8 lug bolt circle, while the PU's are a metric 8 lug bolt circle. About an 1/8" difference.

Doesn't make sense ($$$) for a company to have two different types of the same motor and two different same style alloy wheels.

Every one I talked to all said the same thing, stay away from the five fours unless you wanna spend $600 at a dealer for a plug change. Also the 4.6's got better gas mileage.

So have a buddy that still has his WV salvage license, and started searching the salvage web sites for a 250 regular length Van 4.6, 4:10's, side or rear wrecked.

Ran across several, anywhere from 5K miles to less than a 100, but kept getting outbidded by the large salvage places. Finally, I (or rather my buddy's salvage name and #) got the bid on this van with 580 miles. Combined a trip to get his van with a trip my wife and daughter were making.

It's was the only way I could afford a new vehicle. By the time I got done, I had less than 1/2 of what the loan value was in it, almost the same as a new vehicle (some things are better than new) with NO payments, NO collision insurance payments, and to top it all off,,,,,,,,,, a CLEAR title!

This part I don't like, but when I ran the VIN through CAR-FAX. There is NO record of this van ever being wrecked!

Wish I'd have known the Vans were so much different from the same year(s) size of PU's, I'd have opted for the 5.4.

Thanks.

 

My '01 e150 conversion 4.6 with 3.55s is a super smooth and decent accelerating van but can't tow for anything. Especially uphill, as in florida highway bridge grades. It has to downshift to 3rd to make it. Otherwise is just bogs down.

My 95 dodge 2500 with the 5.9 and 3.54s (with 287k on the clock) can tow 8000 lbs all daylike it was nothing. It even gets moving without hitting the gas pedal from idle on level ground.

Overall the ford is a nicer van but my dodge is the better van and holds a special place in my heart. It is the best vehicle i have ever owned actually.

Mileage is shocking too. The ford gets around 15mpg while the dodge averages, almost empty,(I usually usse it for work and carry about 100lbs of tools in it) around 17.5 to 18 mpg.

 

Before my '02 E150 which I bought new, I had a '96 Savana (also bought new--my stepdad, while he was alive, got me the GM Option 1/2 discounts). It had a 350, 4L60E trans, 3.42 axle, and had a LOT of guts. It was a fancier conversion than my Ford and heavier but it could move up steel hills really well.

Your Dodge is a lighter unit body than our Fords and my old Savana. I had an '86 GMC conversion and the 305 stunk but the unit body van was well under 5000 lbs--and it was a 2500. (I actually bought and flipped an '84 GMC conversion with a 350--and again, the big inches were very nice.)

The 4.6 is only 281 cubic inches and I always remember thinking of the Chevy 283 as a small engine--I had a 273 V8 in a '68 Plymouth and boy was that wimpy. No arguing with cubic inches. I also had a number of big block musclecars (including 2 426 Hemi cars) and an Olds 98 with a 455 in it.

Modern injection and computer controls are amazing in terms of how well they make engines run but if you want performance from small cubic inches, you need to wind them out. I really liked the 350 in my Savana for performance--I'm guessing the Ford 5.4 would feel a lot like that engine.

George

 

Well,,,,,,,,, nuts! I guess, the lack of power goin' up any grade, is "just the nature of the 4.6's"? Wish, I'd known that plus the Vans didn't get the plug proned 3 valves, I'd looked for a 5.4.

Can any of you direct me to a 'performance chip' and a set of instructions to program it in? (none of the 'tuner guys' around here have any Ford Van experience)

Thanks.

 

If you're seeking a tuner program log into the V10 forums and look for the posts regarding Mike @ 5 Star tunings.

Not sure what he offers for your motor but given that he's so well respected within the V10 forum he very well may have something useful for you too.

 

Thank you! I'll see what he/they say/suggest.