Early Super Duty - Gas Powered - Which engine?

[PoorHouse]

Thinking about replacing our dump run '69 Ford pickup with something newer.

Prices for early Super Duty's are about the same as what I think my truck will sell for.

I'm looking at basic regular cab, gas engined, 4x4's.

Looks like there were 2v and 3v 5.4 V8's, and the V10 offered.

Which one is preferred?

Anything to watch out for with any of these engines?


What about the difference between F250 and F350. The only thing I'm seeing is the front axle.
Dana 50 on F250 and Dana 60 on the F350.

[JOHNS92JETTA]

Can't remember, but there are some 5.4L's that have spark plug problems sticking in the head.

[VeeDub_L_U]

Can you get a 1 ton with a gas engine?

[PoorHouse]

Yes, this is from Ford-Trucks.com:


Powertrains

Three engines are available on the Ford F-250/350. The standard 5.4L SOHC Triton V-8 is rated at 260 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft of torque. In 2001, the 5.4L was named one of Ward's Auto World's "Ten Best Engines" for the fifth year in a row.

The 7.3L Power StrokeTM turbo diesel V-8, the best-selling engine in its class - gas or diesel, produces 250 horsepower and 505 lb.-ft. of torque with the automatic transmission; or 275 horsepower and 520 lb.-ft. of torque when joined to the manual transmission.

The 6.8L SOHC Triton V-10 puts out 310 horsepower and 425 lb.-ft. of torque.

The 5.4L and 6.8L engines have been upgraded from five- to six-speed manual transmissions as standard.

Many F-250/350 buyers use their trucks to run auxiliary equipment, requiring a provision for power takeoff (PTO), Super Duty F-250 and F-350's six-speed manual transmission has a standard left-side PTO. A left-side PTO is also optional on the four-speed automatic.

When the vehicle is properly equipped it can tow 12,500 pounds, the highest conventional trailer towing of any pickup in its class. Adding a fifth wheel hitch increases the towing capacity up to 14,300 pounds.

Available on F-250/F-350 with either the 4x2 or 4x4 system are dual rear wheels that increase rear traction, improve towing stability and provide increased rear axle weight ratings. The optional limited-slip rear axle improves performance in low traction situations such as off-road driving or slick pavement.

The optional engine-block heater improves starting performance in cold weather.

Other option packages are a snowplow package, maximum front GAWR package, and a camper package. The optional shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive systems (either manual or electric) provide enhanced traction.

[ValveCoverGasket]

Can't remember, but there are some 5.4L's that have spark plug problems sticking in the head.

yeah i seem to remember some of the v8s of that era having the threads come out of the head when you pulled the plugs out.
sounded like a pain...

[ssaffioti]

All three of the engines had spark plug problems in one way or another.

The 2V 5.4 and the V10, until 2004 I believe, had just 3 or so threads for the spark plugs. If they weren't torqued properly during reinstallation (or perhaps in spite of proper torque) they could rocket out of the head, taking the threads with them. For some, a helicoil insert fixed the problem.

The 3V 5.4 uses a unique spark plug design... google search images for it. The top half looks like a normal plug, but the bottom half has a long extension that reaches down into the head. Carbon buildup between this extension and the spark plug hole sometimes fuses the plug into the head, and when you try to back it out the plug breaks in half.

I think the spark plugs have been redesigned so they do not come apart. Fact check that... If that's the case, the 3V V8 is probably the engine I would choose, and I would have a Ford shop change the plugs when you get the truck so you dont face the issue down the road. There are techniques to help prevent the old style plug from snapping - let those guys take care of it for you.

[eweu]

I honestly think the 5.4 is just a bit underpowered for this truck, but it is still capable. It's just a little lazy. The V10 is awesome. The 3v versions of both engines bump the power quite a bit, but the earliest versions have problems with too few threads on the spark plug holes. Just look to see if the plugs have been replaced. There are kits available to fix these problems.

These gas engines are really reliable. My 2002 F250 has 134,000 miles on it and it feels like new. There isn't honestly much to worry about.

One thing to note, on the 2005+ 3v engines, you also get a 5 speed transmission versus the 4. If you plan on towing a lot, that might be a factor to consider.

[ValveCoverGasket]

The 3V 5.4 uses a unique spark plug design... google search images for it. The top half looks like a normal plug, but the bottom half has a long extension that reaches down into the head. Carbon buildup between this extension and the spark plug hole sometimes fuses the plug into the head, and when you try to back it out the plug breaks in half.

interesting, i hadnt heard of that before.

sounds a lot like the OM606 mercedes glow plug issue, the part just below the threads gets fused into the head by buildup, and you end up having to ream the carbon out every time you replace the plugs otherwise itll happen again.



wonder if the ford method is similar.

[MRVW00]

Can't remember, but there are some 5.4L's that have spark plug problems sticking in the head.

THIS.

Why are you interested in a gas?

When I bought my SD, gas wasn't even on the radar.

[PoorHouse]

I honestly think the 5.4 is just a bit underpowered for this truck, but it is still capable. It's just a little lazy. The V10 is awesome. The 3v versions of both engines bump the power quite a bit, but the earliest versions have problems with too few threads on the spark plug holes. Just look to see if the plugs have been replaced. There are kits available to fix these problems.

These gas engines are really reliable. My 2002 F250 has 134,000 miles on it and it feels like new. There isn't honestly much to worry about.

One thing to note, on the 2005+ 3v engines, you also get a 5 speed transmission versus the 4. If you plan on towing a lot, that might be a factor to consider.

No other issues with the V10 besides the spark plugs?

The trucks in my budget will all be 100k + miles, spark plug issues should be addressed already....

THIS.

Why are you interested in a gas?

When I bought my SD, gas wasn't even on the radar.

Love the diesels, my work has a couple that are fantastic. I really like the rest of the truck
too which got me on this idea.

For my use a diesel is overkill, no reason to pay the additional $$$ to buy and maintain one.

[Anony00GT]

All three of the engines had spark plug problems in one way or another.

The 2V 5.4 and the V10, until 2004 I believe, had just 3 or so threads for the spark plugs. If they weren't torqued properly during reinstallation (or perhaps in spite of proper torque) they could rocket out of the head, taking the threads with them. For some, a helicoil insert fixed the problem.

The 3V 5.4 uses a unique spark plug design... google search images for it. The top half looks like a normal plug, but the bottom half has a long extension that reaches down into the head. Carbon buildup between this extension and the spark plug hole sometimes fuses the plug into the head, and when you try to back it out the plug breaks in half.

I think the spark plugs have been redesigned so they do not come apart. Fact check that... If that's the case, the 3V V8 is probably the engine I would choose, and I would have a Ford shop change the plugs when you get the truck so you dont face the issue down the road. There are techniques to help prevent the old style plug from snapping - let those guys take care of it for you.

The V10 and 2v 5.4 were both spark plug chuckers. You can be driving down the road, minding your own business, and BANG a spark plug blows out of a hole, taking the coil with it, and the truck gets real loud. They're essentially the same design, Ford just stuck a pair of cylinders on the end of a 5.4 to make a V10. The good news is that there are repair kits out there to repair a blown plug without removing the head.

The 3v had problems with the spark plugs breaking in the head during maintenance removal/replacement, yes, however they do not have the 2v problem of blowing a plug out of the head while driving. Lisle has a GREAT tool for this that works like a charm. There's also a Ford TSB that details the problem. After 2007 (IIRC), Ford figured out that if they put a little never-seize on the shank of the plug at the factory, they wouldn't break when removed at 100k. I've had several 04-07ish 3v trucks break plugs on me, but I've also done a couple 2007-2008 models without breaking any plugs.

Here's the tool I'm referring to:
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...sle_26941730-p

There weren't many trucks sold with a V10 though, might be harder to find. The 5.4 variants are a dime a dozen though, that's probably what you'll end up with. If you can swing it, get a 3v, it's got more power and I believe slightly better MPG than the earlier 2v. The V10 wasn't all that much more powerful than the 5.4 either, drive them back to back and you'll see what I mean. V10 was a real gas hog though.

[Mr Roo]

As a non truck guy, what advantage would a v10 have over getting a diesel? Looking at the numbers and then the gas penalty, if you do any type of work or towing isnt the diesel a slam dunk over its gas brotheren?

[Anony00GT]

As a non truck guy, what advantage would a v10 have over getting a diesel? Looking at the numbers and then the gas penalty, if you do any type of work or towing isnt the diesel a slam dunk over its gas brotheren?

Pretty much, hence the reason Ford no longer offers a V10.

The diesel is a VERY expensive option though (something like $6-8k over gas today), the V10 was much cheaper.