With the inline 6 still remaining very popular right now, you can bet that ford will eventually bring it back, probably a smaller displacement 6 with a little more pep. I think as of right now Fords new 5.4L 330ci is the closest, with its longer stroke and smaller bore, and low rpm torque, i think its 365 ft/pounds at 1900 rpm. Its a V8, but very much like a 300 a low rpm. Now a 5.4 6 cylinder would be unbeatable!

 

sign me up for one

 

So what is the verdict on Ford's switch to the V6?
Is it plagued by any inherent problems like leaking intakes, timing belt problems?
As a 300 owner for 22 years, I would say it's pretty bulletproof, and that timing gear instead of chain.....a stroke of genius.

 

Ford didn't make any money of the 300, so they figured make some other motors like the v6 that produced as much torque as the 300 and a little more zip. But like any H.O motor in terms of versing it with displacement they are prone to damage much easier. So they are in the shop more after the warranty runs out. Thats my theory anyway. The 300 is in a way out of commercial but still powers alot in industry, not to mention driving to work in one.

 

As currently produced, I don't believe Ford's 5.4 has anywhere near a 1900 rpm torque peak. Upon checking, the peak torque is 365 lb/ft. at 3750 rpm. Source: Ford. They claim 90 percent is available at 2000 rpm. That ain't bad, and lower than most V8's, but it's really not a low speed torque curve compared to the previous output. The 5.4 used to be 260 hp and torque peaked at much lower rpm. They increased the torque peak rpm substantially since it came out to make more horsepower. The 300 six with straight up cam timing had more like a 16-1700 rpm torque peak. That's about as close to a really low speed torque curve as you're gonna get outside of a diesel.

As a current user of Ford's 4.2 liter V6, I can state that it ain't much of a truck motor. It has no torque at all unless you're revving the absolute crap out of it. When pulling a load of anything like respectable weight, it spends way too much time at high revs to get the load moving and keep it moving. It will downshift to second on the slightest hill, and hearing it revving its guts out doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in its pulling ability.

 

309Ford,

i don't know what you're talking about. I towed a 4.2L F-150 with my 300 F-150 and she pulled it just fine without revving high at all.

 

preach it brother

 

the reason i towed the other f-150 was because of an intake gasket leak, pretty big one. caused the motor to hydro lock. thanks ford.

The 300 with a revised head and modern day cam tweaking would be pretty sweet, but then the 4.6l v8 wouldn't know what to do with itself.

 

This is a tough one...

If we are talking towing/work...I agree the 300 is the ticket.

If we are talking daily driver...I kinda miss my ol' 4.2 equipped truck, dunno about others but the one I had would scoot...I couldn't live with the bodystyle, so it had to go... It was however a 5 speed, not sure I care for a small displacement engine and an automatic tranny. I couldn't live with my 4.9 truck if it were auto.

Honestly when you think about it, from a towing perspecitve, your comparing a 256ci engine vs a 300ci, hmmm

Regarding the 5.4, with a 4.16" stroke, a person would think it'd have torque potential.

So that would put it at 328 lb/ft at 2000 rpm...didn't ford rate the 4.9 ~ 265 lb/ft @ 2000 rpm or so? Doesn't sound too bad...


Wonder what the camshaft(s) profile looks like on the 5.4?

 

The problem is that with the 5.4, Ford wanted to use the same block with the same deck height as a 4.6. Which meant things were VERY tight, and the pistons have a very short skirt. So a moderately small %age of them wind up w/ slapping pistons like a chebby. Not to mention the whole plastic intake containing coolant thing. 4.6L is an ok car engine, but I am NOT impressed w/ it as a truck engine.

 

.510" lift/201 degrees duration @ .050" (intake)
.531" lift/210 degrees duration @ .050" (exhaust)
114 degree lobe centers

found from an unreliable internet source, but i think it is accurate.

The lift is real high for stock application, but i'm sure with modern day valvetrains it is alright.


my father has a 4.6 expedition and a 4.6 2001 cobra 4valve head.
the 4.6 expy is a complete pig as you'd expect. small motor, BIG vehicle.

The cobra makes nothing down low. at all. it wakes up at 3000rpm and pulls well from a little under 4000rpm to 6000rpm.

 

thanks rhetor...

seems like that would be ok for a torque cam, the heads must flow pretty good or too good to compete with the ford 300 low end grunt.

 

Oh so i get a second opinion about 365ft/pnds at 2 grand. Dont get excited i just got that from a post in the 5.4 forum. Better check twice before i roll the dice. Motorhead - nice to see that the 300 rates only about 60 ft/pnds at 2000 rpm lower than the 5.4. Wonder who who hold up to the test LONGER?

 

Depends is the test which truck is more fun on the street or which engine will outlast the truck? Kidding...kinda...

 

Rust or plastic? Take your pick. The new trucks today have a lot less steel, perhaps a more rigid frame and such, I took a new 05 for a drive the other day, and it feels more like a big muscle car and didnt have the ol tough truck feel to it. And the plastic hood shakes pretty bad when you start going fast. And id probably have alot more speeding tickets if i had a 5.4.