Have you been thinking about replacing the aging V10 engine on your truck and you are looking for the Ford V10 engine replacement cost? If this is the case and you have reliability issues with your truck, then you are at the right place because there will be a lot to cover on this topic.
Replacing an engine can sometimes be a very tricky thing to do. Especially if it is an old engine that is not in production anymore. And as you know, getting used engines out there is a gamble itself. Since you never know what you are going to get with it. It might be a good and reliable engine. But it also can be an engine in a similar condition to the one that you are already replacing on your vehicle.
And truck engines, need to be in top shape all of the time if you don’t want to get yourself in trouble. Imagine that you haul a big load and the engine simply doesn’t have the compression needed to pull this load. You will not be able to move your truck forward. And this often happens with these old engines that were rebuilt who knows how many times. That’s why when purchasing an engine you should look for the best one you can get and also for a good price. That’s why we are going to help you out.
First, we are going to learn what is the Triton V10 engine. Then we will learn in what applications this engine was used. Then we will take a look at the common problems with this engine. And also the Ford V10 engine replacement cost. So, let’s dive into it.
What Is The Ford V10 Triton Engine?
Before we dive into the Ford V10 engine replacement cost, let’s first cover some of the basics of the Triton V10 engine since they are also important for those who are not familiar to introduce themselves to this incredible engine.
The Triton engine was Ford’s take on the V10. You probably have seen a lot of Ford V8s out there. But a V10 is a complete rarity and these engines are more like unicorns.
Nevertheless, this engine was introduced in 1997 when it replaced the 5.4L V8 and had a good production run until 2019 when it was replaced by the mighty Ford 7.3L also known as the Godzilla.
As you might presume this is a high-performance engine since the Triton comes in a V10 configuration. But you are mistaken because this engine is a truck engine. Yep, that’s right. This engine is a truck engine that was used on a lot of Ford vehicles. But more on that a bit later.
The important thing is that this engine because of its size delivered quite a bit of performance when it came to hauling or towing stuff. That’s why it is so demanded by owners who had one for themselves and unfortunately their already existing engine has reached the end of its lifespan. So, they try to learn the Ford V10 engine replacement cost. But more on the costs of replacing after we learn the specs of the Ford V10 as well as the applications of this engine.
Since they are quite essential when it comes to understanding this engine and its use. That’s why in the following chapters, we are going to cover precisely that.
Ford V10 Engine Specs
Before we jump into covering the Ford V10 replacement cost, let’s first learn something more about the specs of this engine. As we already concluded, this is a truck engine used in a variety of applications. It replaced the 5.4L V8 and the V10 was replaced recently by the 7.3L V8 also known as the Godzilla. But what are the specs of the V10 engine? That’s what we are going to cover next.
The V10 as we can conclude is an engine in a V10 configuration, meaning that it has 10 cylinders. It belongs in Ford’s Modular family of engines that were designed in the later ’90s. The engine has a displacement of 6.8L or 412.5cu and is naturally aspirated. Meaning that this engine doesn’t have a turbo or a supercharger on it to produce more power.
It implements a single overhead camshaft. The valve head depends on the engine. There are two valve engines produced as well as three-valve engine versions of the V10.
The cylinder bore of this engine is 92.2mm and it has a stroke of 105.8mm. This long-stroke allows the engine to deliver quite a lot of torque on the wheels.
The engine has a compression ratio of 9.2:1 and produces about 362hp and 460lb-ft of torque. Which is rather good considering its application for truck use only.
The engine implements a cast-iron cylinder block with all-aluminum heads. Meaning that even it is quite tough, it is also quite light in comparison to engines of similar displacement like the Dodge truck V10 engine.
But what about the Ford V10 engine replacement cost? We will get there. Let’s first learn more about the Ford V10 engine applications.
Ford V10 Engine Applications
Knowing the Ford V10 engine applications before you learn the Ford V10 engine replacement cost is quite an essential thing to do since you will be able to get good input on where you have to look for your new engine. Meaning from which vehicles you can harvest one to install on your truck. That’s why to follow up carefully if you want to find out more on this topic.
The 2 valve version of the V10 engine was used in a variety of applications. As we know this engine was introduced in 1997 with Ford’s lineup of vans. More precisely the E250 and E450. These engines were rated at 305hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. As you can see these engines are quite down on power compared to the 3 valve V10 engines.
The 2 valve engine was also used on the Ford Excursion from 2000 to 2005. As you know the Excursion is one of the most massive SUVs ever made. So, you can look for an engine in an Excursion as well.
Not to forget the pickup trucks that also include the 2 valve engine. Namely the F-250 pickup and above up until the F-550. All these trucks included the 2 valve engine.
The 3 valve engine, on the other hand, made quite more power in comparison to the 2 valve. In some applications even made 362hp.
This engine was included in applications from 2005 onward. Up until 2019 when it was discontinued. The main users of this engine were the Ford Super Duty series of trucks. It was also used on the Blue Bird Vision, a school bus as well as in other bus applications. But what does the Ford V10 engine replacement cost? More on that in a bit.
Ford V10 Engine Problems
Now before we start covering the Ford V10 engine replacement cost. Let’s first learn the problems that this engine has. Namely, every engine has some problems. So, does the Triton 6.8L engine that we are covering right now.
We can say in advance that the problems of the Triton V10 engine are not that serious and this engine is very reliable. Still, there are some things that you need to be aware of before you go out there on the market looking for an engine. Knowing the possible issues will help you find the perfect engine for your truck. So, if you want to learn more about these issues, follow along.
1. Spark Plug Blowout On The V10 Triton Engine
One of the most common problems of this engine is the spark plug blowout. But what does spark plug blowout means in the first place? Well, it means that the spark plugs will pop out with no problem. This problem is also known as spark plug ejection.
So, why does this happen? The answer is simple, as you know the engine goes through a lot of cycles of heating up and cooling down. So the aluminum metal around the spark plugs becomes brittle and sticks to the spark plugs.
This sticking will make when you remove the spark plug to remove the threads altogether with the spark plug. This is the opposite of good. You won’t be able to bolt on the new spark plug if you don’t have threads to tighten this new spark plug. And this is a problem that is really hard to solve for beginners.
What needs to be done is that the whole engine head has to be removed and new threads installed for the spark plugs. This work is labor-intensive as well as expensive to do.
If you don’t want to deal with this problem, you should avoid engines produced before 2002. After 2002, these problems were patched and most of the engines manufactured after this year are bulletproof in terms of spark plug ejection. But what does the Ford V10 engine replacement cost? More on that in a bit after we finish all of the problems that this Ford has.
2. Cracking On The PCV Hose
Another notorious problem of the Triton 6.8L engine is the cracking on the PCV hose. As you know the positive crankcase ventilation system is removing the gases that are collected inside of the engine from the combustion process and this system instead of pushing these harmful toxic gases into the atmosphere, drives them into the intake manifold and they are pushed into the combustion chamber to burn off completely.
So, what is the problem here? The problem in this engine happens because the hoses that are carrying these gases will get dry as they age and they will start to leak these gases.
When these gases leak, you will experience a number of symptoms like engine misfires. The misfires are one of the most common symptoms along with the rough idle.
Other symptoms that you might feel are the whistling or hissing sound that is coming from the top of the engine. This sound will probably be one of the first things that you will notice when this problem happens along with the rough idle of the engine.
And the last probable symptom when you have a leak in the system would be the bad fuel economy. The fuel economy is terrible on this engine. But if you get this problem with the PCV hose, your fuel economy will get even worse than it already is. Meaning that you will need to find a solution for this issue quickly and effectively.
Luckily, replacing a hose that is on top of the engine is not that difficult and this problem can be sorted out for very little money.
But what does the Ford V10 engine replacement cost? Well, more on that in a bit after we cover the last common problem with this engine.
3. Exhaust Manifold Bolts Breaking On The Ford V10
Another thing that is very common on most truck engines is the exhaust manifold bolts that are rusting out and breaking (you can learn more in our guide on how to stop rust on a car). This problem is most often caused by poor hardware by manufacturers. Mainly, bolts.
When these bolts rust and break are causing exhaust leaks that often cause some unbearable hissing sound coming from the engine. Not to forget the exhaust gases that you will feel whenever you drive this van or truck. Depending much on the side from where the leak comes from, you will start to feel it or your passenger will.
Either way, this is a bad thing since it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and you definitely don’t want that. Replace these bolts with a new set of bolts. ARP bolts will probably do the trick well since ARP produces some heavy-duty stuff when it comes to bolting hardware. These bolts are more expensive. But for sure are going to last as long as the truck or van lasts.
But what does the Ford V10 engine replacement cost? Well, more on the cost we are going to elaborate later in the article. Let’s first see how long does one of these Triton engines last in the first place. Knowing the mileage will help you choose the right one for your truck.
How Long Does The Ford V10 Engine Last?
So, how long you can expect a Ford Triton V10 engine to last? This is crucial before we dive into understanding the Ford V10 engine replacement cost. Namely, because of the mileage, you could give an estimate on the price for that specific engine that you intend to buy.
We made deep research and we concluded that these engines easily last about 200,000 miles with no major issues. This is made possible since the engine is so heavy-duty that is really hard to break.
Some of these engines even reach the 500,000 mark with no problems. These engines are engines that were properly loved and maintained during their long lives. So, when it comes to this engine, you shouldn’t be afraid of the mileage that much. Even though finding an engine that is relatively low mileage is a much better alternative than getting one with half a million miles.
So, based on your budget, make sure that you do a proper investigation and learn what is your best bet when it comes to the replacement engine. The price is one of them understandably and in the following chapter, we are going to cover precisely that, which is the Ford V10 engine replacement cost.
How Much Is The Ford V10 Engine Replacement Cost
Now we came to the important bit and that is the Ford V10 engine replacement cost. How much is to get a replacement engine for your vehicle? Well, that much depends on some factors.
The first factor is age. The oldest of these engines are the 2 valve engines that were introduced in 1997 and were used mostly up until 2005. These are the cheapest ones to get.
Then the other factor is the mileage that this engine has. You cannot value an engine that has 500,000 miles and an engine that has 60,000 miles the same way. It is quite understandable that the engine with low miles will cost more than the one with high miles. So, what does the Ford V10 engine replacement cost?
Well, if you go for a used engine, you can expect to pay from $500 to $2,500 based on the condition of this specific engine. If it’s a lower mileage it will be on the more expensive side.
If you opt to go for a crate motor, you can get one from Ford. They probably still have some of these engines in stock and for this engine, you can expect to pay about $7,500 or even more in some cases. Which is quite expensive, to be honest.
Another way is to visit jegs.com. They offer a re-manufactured crate engine for $4,816. Which is a reasonable price for a refurbished engine brought to factory spec.
Overall, that is the Ford V10 engine replacement cost. Not that cheap after all. Your bet would probably be to harvest a junkyard engine and replace your existing engine with this engine. You can do one of these swaps for less than $2,000.
Things To Do Before Getting A Replacement V10 Engine
We covered the Ford V10 engine replacement cost now let’s see what you can do before you get a replacement engine and not get scammed and end up with a terrible engine.
The first thing you can do is to check the engine mileage and condition of the engine. This unfortunately is only possible if the engine is still in the truck or van that you want to harvest it from. But is a good step for you to get an engine that is actually good and not end up with something that doesn’t want to run.
The second thing you can do is to do a compression test on the engine. A compression test with good results will be an excellent way to make sure that this engine is really good and you are not purchasing an engine that has a ton of blowby and doesn’t make any power.
And the third thing you can do is get a warranty if you purchase a refurbished engine from some store. There are a ton of places where you can get a refurbished engine. So, if you go this route, make sure that you get one of these engines that has a warranty and avoid getting stuck with an engine that doesn’t work. Still, you pay top dollar for this engine and the Ford V10 engine replacement cost is quite expensive.
Alternatives To The Ford V10 Replacement Engine
We learned the Ford V10 engine replacement cost. Now let’s look at the alternatives that are out there. This will be quite useful for the guys that still want a V10 engine and don’t want to drive a diesel.
The alternative that is worth your time is the Dodge Magnum 8.0 V10 engine. This engine is very similar in terms of specs to the Ford engine. It produces about 310hp and 450lb-ft of torque and can be found in RAM trucks from the 1993 to 2003 era. A good alternative if you are asking me. Since this engine is extremely reliable and can withstand a lot of beating.
Facts about Ford V10 Engine Replacement Cost and Reliability:
- The Ford V10 engine is a small-engine family consisting of overhead camshaft V8 and V10 engines.
- The average Ford V10 engine replacement cost ranges between $3,000 and $4,000.
- The V10 engine has 10 piston-cylinders arranged in a V-formation, while a V8 engine has eight piston-cylinders.
- The modular approach to producing engines in the Ford V10 family allowed for faster changeovers between engine platforms, increasing productivity and profits.
- The aluminum cylinder heads of the Ford V10 engine have a flaw in the spark plug threads that can cause them to blow out of the cylinder head, leading to overheating.
- The Ford E250-E450 and F250-F550 are among the Ford models that use the V10 engine, and some model years have higher Ford V10 engine replacement costs than others.
- Symptoms of a damaged engine include burning smells, low engine oil, and a check engine light on the dashboard.
- Dirty valve covers can indicate oil leakage, which can increase the Ford V10 engine replacement cost if not addressed.
- When considering repairing or replacing a Ford V10 engine, it’s important to factor in the costs of different Ford models that use the engine.
- Professional mechanic shops can ensure a long vehicle life but may increase the Ford V10 engine replacement cost.
Conclusion To Ford V10 Engine Replacement Cost
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the Ford V10 engine replacement cost. First, we learned what is the V10 engine and some important facts about it like the engine specs as well as the applications in which this engine is found in. Knowing these things will be much easier for you to harvest one from a junkyard.
Then we learned the common problems with this engine. We may conclude that is a really reliable engine that will last for a long time if you take care of it properly. Nothing major except the spark plug issue on models before 2002 and the exhaust manifold bolts breaking.
Lastly, we covered the Ford V10 engine replacement cost and the alternatives to this engine. If you want something similar you can go for the Dodge 8.0 Magnum.
