Ford Technicians Pick Their Favorite F-150 Engine
We refuse to accept the reality that forced induction and smaller displacement powerplants are the future (and the present).
In the old days, picking out an F-150 engine was easy. Nine times out of ten, you went for the V8. Because that’s what truck guys did, after all (with the possible exception of the excellent 300ci straight six). But in recent years we’ve seen a big shift in engine technology. And no longer does the mighty V8 sit atop the F-150 engine lineup.
Now if you want the most powerful engine Ford has to offer in the venerable F-150, you go for the 3.5 liter Ecoboost V6. Sure, it might pump out ten less horsepower than the 5.0 V8, but it produces a whopping 83 more lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to make even the stodgiest traditionalist more than a little nervous.
Regardless of numbers, however, most of us old-school truck guys still cling to our engine layout of choice. We refuse to accept the reality that forced induction and smaller displacement powerplants are the future (and the present). And despite the talking heads out there who say otherwise, we aren’t the only ones, either.
Want proof? Just take a look at the latest Town and Country TV video. T&C decided to ask their own technicians, the guys who work on these things every day, which engine they would want in their own F-150. And the results really aren’t too surprising. Unless you believe all the V6 hype.
A grand total of eight out of ten mechanics named the 5.0 liter V8 as their engine of choice. Their reasons? Towing, reliability, simplicity, and the availability of torque throughout the rev range. They’re also easier and cheaper to repair. So rest easy, truck traditionalists. It looks like we aren’t the only ones who still believe in the power of eight.
