V6 or V8?

[Excalibur07]

I have a 1999 Explorer Eddie Baeur with the 5.0 liter V8 engine that we replaced a few years ago with another vehicle but kept for my son to drive around locally. A couple of weeks ago my son was driving it when he was hit by another car going through a red light. It knocked the bumper off, dented the fender and hood. The car continues to drive completely normally but with the damage our local insurance company will only write off the car. Really too bad as the thing runs perfectly despite 182,000 miles on the clock. We won't get very much for it due to the age, mileage etc...It's been a great truck so I would like to get another one for my son to drive around - maybe slightly newer with whatever we are going to get for the old one as a write off.

I have been looking around for a used one and I have seen several in our price range - they are all 1999-2004 models however most/all of them seem to be 4.0 V6s. I don't mind getting a V6 as it is not our primary tow vehicle any more (we used to use it for towing our boat) but I have the impression that the V8 is a better build/designed engine. I have read a couple of things about the V6 having a design issue around the timing chain. Can anyone enlighten me on this and I would appreciate opinion, should I keep looking for a V8 or will the V6 generally be OK? Gas mileage is not an issue for us. The trucks I have been looking at have around 100,000-120,000 miles on them (that's what fits in our price range for what I thin we're going to get for the one that is being written off. Thanks all for any replies.

 

[Tech By Trade]

Ford used flimsy plastic guides/cassettes with no reinforcement, that are held in place by hydraulic tensioners. The tensinoers do have springs, but they wear with time, and loose tension at startup causing damage to the guides/cassettes. That and the breaking down of the guides/cassettes in the hot oil cause them to shatter. This intern causes the chains to either jump, or break. It wouldn't be such an issue if they were serviceable, but instead of running a single chain on the front, ford in their infinite wisdom, decided to run a jackshaft where the cam went in the 4.0ohv and run a rear chain to the left camshaft that cant be accessed without pulling the engine or removing the transmission.

Thanks to the 4.0l SOHC I will never purchase another ford product. I have 2 years left and then I will be saying so long to ford for good.

 

[Joe in NY]

V8.

Same mpgs. 30 more hp and 30 more ft-lbs of torque. Plus the V8 will go 200k+ easy with just servicing the timing chain once.

The Ford 4.6L V8, while being low on power and a bit heavy on the gas for the size and power, is an extremely reliable, smooth running, and proven V8. If you don't mind mpgs similar to a Suburban then you will be happy.

(I honestly wish I had bought a Suburban over an Explorer! I get the exact same mpgs as our 2007 Suburban...)

 

[TechGuru]

V8.

Same mpgs. 30 more hp and 30 more ft-lbs of torque. Plus the V8 will go 200k+ easy with just servicing the timing chain once.

The Ford 4.6L V8, while being low on power and a bit heavy on the gas for the size and power, is an extremely reliable, smooth running, and proven V8. If you don't mind mpgs similar to a Suburban then you will be happy.

(I honestly wish I had bought a Suburban over an Explorer! I get the exact same mpgs as our 2007 Suburban...)

I don't like full size SUV's which is why I went with a Explorer over a Expedition. Even the Explorer barely fits in the garage.

 

[Harpua216]

i personally like the design of the V8 better and feel that its a bit more reliable and smooth especially when towing. The gas mileage difference is barely noticeable between the 2 Mountys i have and once 2nd gear kicks in on ,my 99 V8 (182K ironically, love it) the 04 V6 is standing still in the rearview.

Since i have both engines and a 2 inch tow on my 99, its my primary tow vehicle and ive decided that for any long hails or big stuff, the V8 will take the brunt because it can.

I just got the V6 with 130K and I can tell they spread the bands already so I am taking precautions and prevents in a very non-OCD method and it seems to be working. but for how long?

On the other hand, I havent thought about ANY of that with the V8. but the engine is heavier so I spend my time on suspension, axles etc.,,., instead, which is rustier but less expletives leave my mouth with that than deep engine work.

 

[Joe in NY]

i personally like the design of the V8 better and feel that its a bit more reliable and smooth especially when towing. The gas mileage difference is barely noticeable between the 2 Mountys i have and once 2nd gear kicks in on ,my 99 V8 (182K ironically, love it) the 04 V6 is standing still in the rearview.

Since i have both engines and a 2 inch tow on my 99, its my primary tow vehicle and ive decided that for any long hails or big stuff, the V8 will take the brunt because it can.

I just got the V6 with 130K and I can tell they spread the bands already so I am taking precautions and prevents in a very non-OCD method and it seems to be working. but for how long?

On the other hand, I havent thought about ANY of that with the V8. but the engine is heavier so I spend my time on suspension, axles etc.,,., instead, which is rustier but less expletives leave my mouth with that than deep engine work.

Problem here... You are comparing two entirely different cars and engines. The 2nd gen Explorer is 100% different from the 3rd gen.

These engines are 100% different too. Yours is a 302 (4.9L, ford claims 5.0) Windsor V8. That engine is 40 years old. I do love the Windsors, don't get me wrong. Simple, compact, reliable as hell. In block cam with OHV. Iron block and heads. Torque monster (for being a small 302 CUI engine)

The engines in the 2002 + is a 281 (4.6L) Modular V8 (Triton, Modular, etc). SOHC all aluminum. Mid range torque and HP over low end torque. These motors are still reliable, just need to do the timing chains and guides once in a while. Only 2 chains and 4 guides, cheap and easy to do, so I've heard.

 

[Number4]

Between the V6 4.0 SOHC and V8 4.6 SOHC, the 4.6 wins every time.

I doubt you'll find anyone that's owned the 4.6 that prefers or wants the 4.0.

My 4.6 chains (tensioner really) went out around 150k. Repaired with engine in car. The 4.0 will need to come out to be done correctly, assuming you get warning pre failure. Complete failure = new engine $3,500. Chain R&R at a shop costs +/- $3,000.

I don't hate on the guides or tensioners failing. A lot of imports had to have their setups replaced every 60k as regular maintenance.

 

[chefduane]

IF (if, the key word) you could find a low miles SOHC that had the timing chains done (per the TSB notice) by a reputable shop or dealer, then one MIGHT consider the SOHC an option. And even then the condition of the rest of the car is important. But straight up head-to-head the 4.6 would be the best choice.

 

[Harpua216]

Problem here... You are comparing two entirely different cars and engines. The 2nd gen Explorer is 100% different from the 3rd gen.

These engines are 100% different too. Yours is a 302 (4.9L, ford claims 5.0) Windsor V8. That engine is 40 years old. I do love the Windsors, don't get me wrong. Simple, compact, reliable as hell. In block cam with OHV. Iron block and heads. Torque monster (for being a small 302 CUI engine)

The engines in the 2002 + is a 281 (4.6L) Modular V8 (Triton, Modular, etc). SOHC all aluminum. Mid range torque and HP over low end torque. These motors are still reliable, just need to do the timing chains and guides once in a while. Only 2 chains and 4 guides, cheap and easy to do, so I've heard.

Thanks for the quote Joe!

I dont see the problem as it pertains to the OP's question. He is looking for a 99-04 Engine for his 99 Mounty. He has some choices and the timing chains are a very big deal (mainly on the older 3rd gen V6) and costly. I can imagine the V8 cassettes on the 4.6 etc., are costly as well. So in answer to his question, (im my opinion) stick with a good V8, even if it is the 4.6 (if thatll fit)

 

[swshawaii]

^ Huh? Unless I'm reading the OP wrong, he's looking for another vehicle. :scratch:

It's been a great truck so I would like to get another one for my son to drive around - maybe slightly newer with whatever we are going to get for the old one as a write off.