Can anyone explain to me what is meant by modular on these engines? I know what modular is... but I haven't figured out (yet) how this specifically applies to these engines.

Also, what is the talk about how the Triton engines can cool themselves when there is a coolant leak? My manual talks about this as a feature... but does not explain.

Thanks.

 

The "modularity" comes from using many/most of the same parts on the engines which allows them to use the same assembly line/process. The 4.6 and 5.4 pretty much (not 100%) use the same block & bottom-end with only moderately different top-ends. The biggest difference between the two is a slightly longer stroke for the 5.4L which requires increased deck height. Add 2 cylinders the to 5.4L V8 and you have the 6.8L V10.

The limp-home cooling works by not firing a plug during the "power" stroke of the piston. The un-burned fuel cools the cylinder enough to prevent catastrophic failure. This process alternates cylinders so that only one or two (I can't remember which) at a time are "dead" and all of them go through the cycle.

 

>The "modularity" comes from using many/most of the same
>parts on the engines which allows them to use the same
>assembly line/process. The 4.6 and 5.4 pretty much (not
>100%) use the same block & bottom-end with only moderately
>different top-ends. The biggest difference between the two
>is a slightly longer stroke for the 5.4L which requires
>increased deck height. Add 2 cylinders the to 5.4L V8 and
>you have the 6.8L V10.
>
>The limp-home cooling works by not firing a plug during the
>"power" stroke of the piston. The un-burned fuel cools the
>cylinder enough to prevent catastrophic failure. This
>process alternates cylinders so that only one or two (I
>can't remember which) at a time are "dead" and all of them
>go through the cycle.


Good answer but the 4.6 and 5.4 are different blocks. And the cranks(bottom end) are obviously different.

Even though the word "modular" is used the 4.6 and 5.4 are not that much different than the 5.0/5.8 as far as interchangeability. The V10 uses the EXACT bore and stroke of the 5.4(like you already said)

What's funny(and in Ford's usual warped wisdom) the earlier 4.6's that were made at different plants(truck/car??) used two different bolt patterns/numbers on the flywheel side if the crank. So much for interchangeability!!!

 

Cool! I learned something... THANKS!

 

I think I did too, NoMo. I always thought that the term "modular" had nothing to do with interchangability but described how the engines could be serviced. As each system is modular.Fuel system, intake, heads, block...etc. making it easier to perform major service. just remove that "module" and put on a new one. I'm not sure where I got that idea though.........huh.

 

lookee what I found...

The modular term came about due to the many interchangeable components between the SOHC and DOHC engines and also the ability for much of the machining and assembly of the engines to take place on the same equipment lines. That way if the market demanded more DOHC engines, then they could rather easily be manufactured while SOHC production was decreased.

 

I remember now why I thought it had someting to do with maintenance. Because it does. BUT it refers to aircraft engines. They are designed as modular engines, too. But are designated that for the reasons I stated earlier. Obviously the modules have different names than the one I wrote earlier, too. Good, now I feel better and maybe ya'll just found out somethin' new. We all win.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-Jan-02 AT 09:37 PM (EST)]>lookee what I found...
>
>The modular term came about due to the many interchangeable
>components between the SOHC and DOHC engines and also the
>ability for much of the machining and assembly of the
>engines to take place on the same equipment lines. That way
>if the market demanded more DOHC engines, then they could
>rather easily be manufactured while SOHC production was
>decreased.
>
>


While I'll agree that may have been the original intent, it just doesn't pan out.

The SOHC/DOHC example is moot because the Cobra DOHC is an aluminum 6 bolt main block cast in Italy!!! The DOHC 5.4 Nav motor, of course, is a totally different block than the 4.6. The post '99 4.6 Mustang heads are/were different than the truck heads as was the bolt pattern of the crank(flywheel side). The only real modular parts that I can tell is that the V10 and 5.4 share rods and pistons. I'm sure there are 1000's of little parts like tensioners and oil pumps and stuff but I see no more "moularity" between these motors than the interchangeability of the 5.0/5.8.



Please monsta, don't yell at me this time. I'm real sensitive. LOL!!

 

>Please monsta, don't yell at me this time. I'm real
>sensitive. LOL!!

Oh, I've yelled at you before??! Sorry...I usually don't yell at sensitive people.

I know what you're saying about not panning out, seems weird when you see how many parts aren't interchangeable. I found that blurb from an article when the modular concept was introduced to simply show Rob what they meant by it.
I guess it's the same as calling an F250 a 3/4 ton when we know it doesn't weigh that, can tow more than that and it's payload is higher.
I guess I buy the assembly & machining line reason more than anything else...

 

Ok guys I'm beatin' this one to death, I know. But the subject is fascinating to me. (I am easily amused) You see, I knew the repair aspect had something to do with the "modular' concept. I have a Ford Service manual on CD Here's what it says...

The concept of modularity allows the engine designs to share commonization between concepts and engine hardware. The four modules are:
intake module
cylinder head (RH) module
cylinder head (LH) module
Lower engine module

The modular engine concept supports efficiencies during repairs by allowing the removal and installation of these modules. While not all in vehicle repairs can take advantage of the modular concept, most out-of-vehicle repairs benefit in reduction of time and labor needed to repair the engine.

So, Rob, now you know more than you probably ever wanted to.

 

>Ok guys I'm beatin' this one to death, I know. But the
>subject is fascinating to me. (I am easily amused) You see,
>I knew the repair aspect had something to do with the
>"modular' concept. I have a Ford Service manual on CD Here's
>what it says...
>
>The concept of modularity allows the engine designs to share
>commonization between concepts and engine hardware. The four
>modules are:
>intake module
>cylinder head (RH) module
>cylinder head (LH) module
>Lower engine module
>
>The modular engine concept supports efficiencies during
>repairs by allowing the removal and installation of these
>modules. While not all in vehicle repairs can take advantage
>of the modular concept, most out-of-vehicle repairs benefit
>in reduction of time and labor needed to repair the engine.
>
>So, Rob, now you know more than you probably ever wanted
>to.


You know what's hilarious about that text??? How an OHC head "module" would "support efficiencies" during repairs when compared to a push rod motor.!!! Heck, the fricken' DOHC Cobra motor has to be removed to remove the heads!!!! But I guess once that 8 hours of labor to remove a motor is done THAN it's easier to work on. LMAO!!!

Effiency my ****!!!!