Thoughts on the Ford V-10
- Thread starter richmeyer
- Start date
Stumpalump
Expedition Leader
I have an 02 E350 4x4 with the V10. I like it but must admit I too was searching for a diesel. Im happy with it and the engine has a great reputation. All the vans got the 2 valve engine. The engine has a great reputation in the RV community and you can read all about them here if you need help: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum49/
4WD School
Adventurer
The 3 valve engines caught fire in the confined engine compartment found in the E series vans.
So, the F series got the 3 valve and the E series got the 2 valve versions.
I have a 2004 E-350 with the V10. I'm happy with it. I tow an 8,000 pound trailer. :smiley_drive:
So, the F series got the 3 valve and the E series got the 2 valve versions.
I have a 2004 E-350 with the V10. I'm happy with it. I tow an 8,000 pound trailer. :smiley_drive:
redaddiction
Observer
Can you expand on that more? Curious why they were catching on fire.
Stumpalump
Expedition Leader
The 3 valve had more power so it generated more heat. It was too much heat for the confined engine bay of the van. The good thing is that the bottom end is the same so you can push the 2V. I put a 5 star tuner on mine and it really helped it run smooth, pull harder and shift just right. I'd highly recomend Mike at 5 star to set up your van with a tune specifically for the weight ,tires and gearing it has. Not much else helps the van V10 run stronger but K&N does make a nice replacment air box for them. I have not tried one. Loud free flowing mufflers resonate inside of a van so I havent tried one either. The tune is great on them. Ask for Mike because he is the V10 guru.
http://www.5startuning.com/v10/index.html
http://www.5startuning.com/v10/index.html
redaddiction
Observer
I've already contacted Mike about a tune and will be working on purchasing one within the next two weeks. The money for the van this week went into an alarm/tint/mac mini/touchscreen install. So other than the heat issues 3v heads would be a direct swap? I need a solution to get more power out of the V10.
redaddiction
Observer
Since I've already begun to hijack your thread I figure I should put a response to your question.
I was in the same boat as you as far as choosing Gas vs. Diesel. I intend to keep my van for quite some time and the numerous issues with the diesel and the higher price made me lean toward the gasser. Comparably priced vans to mine were 10,000 or so higher than the V10. With that money I can easily improve the performance of the V10 without having to worry about something going wrong with the diesel. Yes, many owners have not had an issue but personally I am more comfortable with gas motors and repairs.
Stumpalump
Expedition Leader
Swaping heads on a computer controlled engine would require more than the heads. Every van I have seen with a V10 has 3.73 gears are all are made in the factory 2wd, low to the ground and with small 245 tires. Thats too high to start with but as soon as you add any increase in tire size and load it with weight then gearing is way off. The pick up truck guys love the 4.30 gearing. The tunner helps with the transmission shift points and is what makes them so well loved on a V10 but it just helps. The real cure is too swap gears. A 4x4 van all built and loaded can weigh 11,000lbs. Now jack it up and put tall tires on it and you need 4.56 or 4.88 ring and pinions. Look on the bright side ....Thats the perfect time to slap in those ARB air lockers you have been wanting.:smiley_drive:
My van E350 super duty came from the dealer with a V10 and 4.10 limited slip axle. This was an option but I think Sportsmobile orders them this way as it was then shipped to Sportsmobile for their 4x4 conversion and interior. I too was deciding between a diesel and a v10. After researching the diesel and finding all the serious problems people are experiencing.... most notably the bed plate leak and the fixes which doesn't necessarily solve the problem.... I went with a v10. The fix for a bed plate leak is to pull the entire motor and fix it. However some folks have had to do this 3 times and it still leaks. Most are still covered under warranty but when that runs out good luck as it is a 7k fix out of pocket. Sounds like a headache to me and serious problem maker as the diesel needs oil to run so leaks can be a serious thing. It made my decision easy. Also the v10 seems to be a long lasting engine with few problems. I have heard of some of the earlier v10 engines having sparkplug thread problems (2003 and before) but nothing more serious than that. I have an 06 and am glad I chose it over the diesel for noise reasons and reliability reasons.
Also if for whatever reason you have complete failure a v10 replacement is about 4k (not including install costs) which is still cheaper than a 7k bed plate leak on the diesel repair.
Also if for whatever reason you have complete failure a v10 replacement is about 4k (not including install costs) which is still cheaper than a 7k bed plate leak on the diesel repair.
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deserteagle56
Adventurer
When you do that conversion, save yourself a lot of future headaches and go for a leaf-spring front end like U-joint offers. Especially if you intend to run larger-than-stock tires. Advice from someone with a Quigley E350 with the V10 (which, since you asked, has been a trouble-free but thirsty engine).
dieselcruiserhead
16 Years on ExPo. Whoa!!
One of my neighbors owns a landscaping business and after messing around with the diesels nearly all of his trucks are V10s, it is amazing how reliable they are and how well they pull... If it helps... 10mpg no matter what but they aren't too bad at all...
cowboy4x4
Explorer
I'm assuming his landscape vans are two wheel drive. Does anybody out there have a 4x4 v10 and can you tell me your real mileage. like some others I'm looking for a ford van and only wanted a diesel but..... I've been toying with the idea of the triton v 10 fuel mileage is my main concern please help
Had a 15 passenger, V10. 37 inch tires, 5.13 gears, from Alaska to Moab and back. Average? 10mpg. Made figuring fuel costs easy. Started life as a Quigley conversion. One thing I noticed was it always felt stronger than any other V10 I'd drive. I got to checking and it had the exhaust up by the engine modified slightly. Got rid of the major crimp down in size the stockers come with and did not have the goofy 180 degree turn the pickups came with.