Got a Question: My Ex has a V10 and 155K miles on it. I am very diligent about oil changes and the use of duralube every other oil change. I am having no issues or oil burning problems. What is the life expectancy of this engine? Same question about the transmission? I had considered dropping the tranny and having it re-built, do I need to consider it? I don't want to change the fluid with this many miles on it as the fluid at this point is a friction modifier. It is the original power train. When I bought this at a dealership in Georgia, they had just replaced the rear axel because the previous owner locked up the diff.
Would any of you pros recommend an after market diff cover with cooling fins? I touched it after a 100 mile drive towing 9k and it was hot. Not looking to hop this thing up, just do some preventative aftermarket add-ons. She is an awesome truck, just don't want a breakdown on a long haul. I keep it in a garage and covered when not in use. It is a purpose vehicle for me, not a daily driver. She is a beautiful Red/Gold Limited package with very few cosmetic issues. How I went this long without one I do not know, I hardly feel the trailer behind me, not like my 2011 5.0 F150.

I know, lots of questions, any help is appreciated!

 

If you want it to last then change the transmission fluid. Your logic is flawed on that idea of not changing it. That's a 60k item.

 

 

That's totally bull. There isn't shred of truth to that statement.

 

 

The B10 life for the 6.8 is 80k and B50 is 200k. This is only published for the 6.8 in medium duty service. Seems reasonable because that's what I see at work. By 150k they sound terrible until their own demise around 200k. However in lighter duty they do last longer and have seen many here pushing 300k.

 

 

How long do the timing chains last?
Our 5.4L with 170K needs the timing chain guides replaced.
Just wondering if our 6.8L will need the same service.

 

From your profile your Ex is a 2001 so you have the radiator trans fluid cooler.
Since you're towing you might consider changing the OEM 6.8L aux cooler for the one used with 2003 5R110 trans.
It's over twice as big and bolts in place of the OEM aux cooler.
I think your hitch has the smaller bolts, but you're still under the 10K rating of the hitch for that year.
Changing the bolts to the larger ones used in 2002+ will upgrade your hitch to 12.5K.

 

Yes same service , use the upgraded Ford ratcheting chain adjusters.

 

Do you mean the older cast iron tensioners with ratchets?
The timing chain kit I have for the 2003 5.4L came with plastic non-ratcheting tensioners.