V-10. What was the best year for the engine?
 

I am searching for a v-10 engine and I need to know what years are the best years to get for head design and block strength and not spitting spark plugs.

I know they still build them today in a 2v design.

For what it's worth I have the V10 in my 2002 Excursion and love it. No problems at all and we're at 150k miles.

The change from 4 to 8 thread heads on the 2V V-8's took place in the middle of the 2003 model year, I don't know if the V-10 was the same or not. Even with the 4 thread heads, you can stop the plugs from spitting if you use Motorcraft plugs and torque them dry to 28 ft/lb, do NOT use antiseize.

The changeover from the 2V to the 3V V-10 was made in mid-2005 in the Super Duty, but the E-vans never did go to the 3V.

Yea, there's not much you can do with the V10. - A dog really, compared to the 5four. Plus it has that weak crank/ crank flex prob. That's why there's not to many swaps.

I didn't think there was a good year for that engine...LOL

The V-10, if you leave it stock, is very reliable and it pulls like a locomotive.

I agree, - if you leave it alone. It's not a PS. Iduno, didn't seem that practical. If I needed more than the 5four has on the low side, it made more sense to go with a diesel, IMO anyway.

OK. Thanks for the info guys.

So, if I was looking for a used inexpensive motorhome, should I avoid the Ford V10? Lots of motorhomes have that engine.

No need to avoid it. A *STOCK* V-10 is very reliable. Just make sure you address the spark plug blowout issue if it's a 2 valve and the sticking issue if it's a 3 valve.

I did not know they made a 3 valve v10. I see lots of the new trucks with the old v10 2v in them still. But that may be a Canadian thing?

The Super Duty trucks got the 3V in mid-2005. The E-vans never got the 3V, those are all 2V.

So I could find a van and pull the engine and harness/pcm. The newer the better. I was not going to suppercharge it or anything. Just upgrade to the 6.8 from the 5.4L. Now my 5.4L started to puke the head gasket on the r/s.

Before the diesels started going crazy with these programmers a V-10 was the top dog in my book! My dad has a 2000 F-250 with a V-10 and it will pull like crazy. Its got 168,000 on it and we've never done anything to it other than regular maintance. He has a diesel now with a programmer but he still uses the V-10 more than the diesel. It's a great truck with tons of power.

I'd take a V10 over a 6.0L Power Stroke any day.

I wonder why they never put the VVT on the V10, though.