Ford V10 wisdom

my3kids · 10-27-2010, 01:34 PM

Not quite SMB related but I'm thinking of a new project and am looking at FordV10s. Any forum wisdom on what years to avoid, what years to seek? Also, are the older 4sp auto okay or should I go for the 5sp torq-shift? I think you can't get 6.8s (at least in the pickups) anymore only the new 6.2s (but the max torque is farther up the rpm dial).

I may cross over to the dark sides, DodgeV10s and/or Chevy8.1Ls with NV4500s.

Thank you,
Ray + lovely wife + our 3 kids
06 E350 RB

Bones_GSXR · 10-27-2010, 10:15 PM

All V10's made before 08 had trouble with broken sparkplugs, they were real log and had a tendency to break off. In 08 Ford redesigned the head to take a shorter reach plug. See the Dec issue off Four Wheeler mag for info on this and a removal tool for the broken plug. The Dealer or Ind. Shop charges 500.00 and up ea to remove the broken plug(s). Always use anti-seeze on the plugs and that still may not fix the issue.

carringb · 10-28-2010, 11:50 AM

There is some mis-information in the above post.

Ford increased the threads in the head from 4 to 8 on 2000 MY motors. In 2003, Ford corrected the manufacturing defect that would allow the threads on some heads to be misaligned with the pilot hole. The issue is rare on engines newer than '00, and pretty much non-existant after '03, with the exception of mis-installation (over-torquing, often because of using Anti-seize and not compensating torque value), or using the improper plug upon replacement.

Using anti-seize is actually not recommended on the 2-valve V10, because it can result in over-torquing. The 3-valve V10 is another story, but the vans don't even have it.

The '08+ V10 in the vans is the same an the '00-'07 models. No changes.

jage · 10-28-2010, 10:49 PM

Dude, I am so sigging that! It applies to just about everything I write!