Well, Ford hasn't used pushrods in their American V8's since the early 90's, except for the Windsor. The 4.6 Modular was introduced in the Crown Victoria, then moved to the Mustang in 1996, then the F-series in 1997 in then both 4.6 and 5.4 liter capacities. The Modular adopted MPFI, 3 valves per cylinder, and even variable camshaft timing before being killed off and replaced by the Coyote, which is still technically a Ford Modular engine. The 3-valve 4.6 was even one of Ward's 10 best engines from 2005-2008; And people wonder why I love them so much. Oh, they sound pretty good, too. They also came in a 4-valve variant, used in many Lincolns. There was also a certain super car it was used in... Oh what was it... Oh that's right! The 4.6L 4-valve variant was boosted and shoved into the Koenigsegg CCR. And we all know where a supercharged all aluminum 5.4L variant went. Ford is the only American brand not still selling engines that were basically designed in the 50's (I'm looking at you, GM).
This is the nicest v8 powered car I've ever driven. It's a flat plane crank and sounds like 2 inline4s glued together because it pretty much is. It delivers power EXACTLY like a honda. Not much going on before 6k Rpm like there is with a domestic long stroke motor, but after that watch out and hold on. Even the red lines are identical between the 2 engines. Mine didn't cost no 100k tho.
While we are somewhat on the topic of the windsor and 4.6 modular, which would be more reliable and practical for normal usage? I'm wondering because as you might know I'm considering getting a panther platform car in the near future and would like to know what model you'd recommend, I personally love the look of the 80's lincoln towncar and it has the windsor but im more concerned about the electronics than the engine. Also with older cars like that that don't have OBD2 port what are the main problems with not having one and would mechanics still be able to work on it if it had a problem.
The modular engine is vastly superior to that old Windsor. It's more powerful, smoother, and more fuel efficient.
Well all of that could pretty much be expected because its not a pushrod engine, but is it still reliable and would it be much more expensive to maintain.
"Is it reliable" Go and ask any police force in America, they used them for a reason. And, if anything, they can be found for the same price or even cheaper than a Windsor.
so, first off sorry for the fact that i keep posting, but i'd at least like to get the first problem i'm having figured out: http://www.beamng.com/threads/so-r-...ponding-so-perhaps-i-can-get-help-here.30969/ as i can probably figure the rest out on my own once it can be powered on without speaker wires(from the head units harness) touching the accessory power wire
I know I seem like I keep going against the grain of the group, But I've always felt that 4.6/5.4/6.8 Ford's were some of the worst engines I'd ever seen, One of the few engines that I refuse to own. I've had personal experience with 13 Ford modular engines, whether they be in work trucks, friend's vehicles, family vehicles, or derby cars. And all of them, with the exception of two, were atrocious money pits. 2004 F150 5.4 2wd ; Exhaust manifold studs broke on right cylinder head at 37,000 miles, broken left bank camshaft at 91,000 miles, broken wrist pin at 104,000 miles, numerous smaller problems up to 120,000 miles, when it was sold, after $4,800 worth of repairs. 1998 F150 4.6 4x4 ; From 1998 until 2008, this truck had $17,000 worth of engine work done on it under warranty, when the original owner sold it, with 85,000 miles. At 90,000 miles the left cylinder head cracked, then at 94,000 miles, it broke a camshaft, then the truck was scrapped. 2000 F450 6.8 V10 4x4.; Work truck, at 47,000 miles one of the exhaust manifolds broke off of the head, at 52,000 it developed some kind of bottom end noise and had a noticeable power loss, I haven't driven this truck since. A pair of identical 2001 F150 4.6 2wd work trucks, both had numerous small issues and 90,000 miles of them began to have hard starting issues and didn't want to idle. The timing chain broke about a week later. The other truck's crankshaft broke at 110,000 miles. 2005 F150 5.4 4x4 ; work truck, This truck currently has 130,000 miles on it, and is at the state garage having both cylinder heads replaced after the timing chain broke. 2010 Expedition 5.4 4x4, Timing chain jumped at 31,000 miles, ruining both camshafts and heads. There are more, but now I'll jump to the two exceptions. 2007 F150 5.4 4x4, work truck, This truck has 46,000 miles on it, and can break the tires loose just by looking at the gas pedal funny, This truck has been nothing but reliable, with no more than basic maintenance. Exception #2 1999 Expedition 5.4 4x4, My aunt bought this new in 99, and while in 01 the timing chain broke, once that was fixed it's had no issues since, it currently has 38,000 miles.
The 2v 4.6 is a very tough engine. Those old 302s aren't bad engines, but they had their fair share of problems. They were anemic as hell and drank gas, which is to be expected on pretty much any 80s v8. They're smooth and reliable. The nickames Lo-po 5.0 and 5leaker aren't without meaning though. I wouldn't say that either engine is "better". They're completely different. The 302 is an old fashioned, lazy v8, while the 4.6 is more modern. They both fit their bodystyle well. Don't worry about the obd stuff. With an old engine comes old fashioned diagnostics practices. An old car will financially rape you if you can't work on it yourself. With a cheap set of tools and the internet you can do 90% of typical repairs on a car.
[QUOTE="Peterbilt, post: 452900, member: 160]"-snip-[/QUOTE] Weird, perhaps you got really unlucky? My family's '98 expedition has the 5.4 and the 4x4 system and has over 200K miles (don't remember exactly numbers off hand) and it runs like new still, all the problems we've had with it are because of bad or no maintenence
A common theme I see here is "work truck" with early failure. I hope you realize that common work vehicles are not treated properly, and are usually not really maintained properly either. When bought new, the break in periods aren't handled correctly, and that causes early failure. Not just the Modular Ford, but in all engines. Refuse nothing. I refused to own anything GM produced, right up until I did (or, well, do). My Sonoma is amazing, but has it's fair share of drive train problems due to poor maintenance. There's noticeable timing chain noise, it ticks, and the distributor is failing at just 103,000 miles. It's also needed shocks for 20,000 miles, but meh, I'll get to it. A memorable experience I had was with an early 2000's E-250 van. It was the shop vehicle at the place I work. But, you know what? We maintained it properly, we gave it what it needed, then sold it with the original 5.4L V8 and trans with 287,000 miles on the clock. And it was fully loaded, sometimes overloaded for a good majority of those 287,000 miles. An ex-employee now owns it; it's still going.
Between the fact it's a convertible and the fact that they've destroyed everything of the original car, I literally had to go looking for that fender line in a book to confirm that that was, indeed, a Camaro. Why Z31 tailights? Why do that with the grille? Why stretch tires on any car? That thing isn't even well done!
Well the 302 is sounding a bit more like what im leaning towards, the anemicness I'd be fine with, the financial rape doesn't sound as good... but as you said learning to work on it myself wouldn't be too unreasonable and would hopefully not cost too much and I honestly much prefer the body style of the 80's panther cars so tha'ts also a plus.
1991 Chevrolet Caprice is my dream car. 2003-2013 Ford Crown Victoria is my dream car but for some reason there is none in Finland. I could say Caprice is uncommon in Finland. Reason for why Caprice is my dream car (might be my first car) is that it has V8, it's rwd, it's american, it's reliable, it's cheap here (5500€)
That's actually more than double what I paid for my 04 Grand Marquis. What are the taxes like on a 5.0L V8 in Finland?
There's a good reason there aren't Vic's any and why those caprices are so expensive. They were not cars sold in Finland originally, they have to be imported
The taxes are counted by the cars effuelence. So that kinda sucks. But everything in Finland is expensive. You can get classic Dodge Charger in perfect condition for 200,000€.
Just like here! Which is why I had to pay $500 to register and insure a $700 car. They tax you based on fully loaded, top trim, 100% condition book value of the car, not what you paid. Was $250 in taxes alone. Yeah exactly. Shows how "cheap" is a relative term. I wouldn't mind having a Nissan Cefiro or a Honda Beat. Both of which could probably be had for pennies in Japan but I'd end up paying nearly $10k for one here. The Lotus Carlton is really awesome to. I'd love to have on of those.
