The ultimate replacement engine for the 5.4 Triton (2023)

FAQs

What year is the best Ford 5.4 engine? ›

2009-2010 Triton 5.4L

The 5.4-liter V8 improved in 2009, fixing the cam phaser issues and all but eliminating the spark plug problems. With 300 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque, the Triton 5.4L is one of the most reliable F150 engines.

Rebuilt 5.4L Ford 3 valve Triton engines will only correct the issue with the "core" engine used as raw material, but will typically not include any other machining or remanufacturing on the rest of the engine or have any updates performed.

What years did the 5.4 Triton have problems? Based on my research, 5.4 Triton engines from vehicles manufactured between 2004 and 2013 seem to have the most problems. The earlier engines didn't seem to have as many issues, nor do the ones produced after 2013. Despite all this, the Ford 5.4 is a a very solid engine.

Share: Over the years, a variety of engines have been put into Ford F-150 trucks. From 1997 to 2010, one of these engines was the 5.4-liter Triton V8.

3-Valve Ford 5.4 Triton

The first big change to the Ford 5.4 Triton came in 2002 when the company launched it in Australia. This was when the company switched from a 2-valve to a 3-valve setup. However, This version made its way to the USA in 2004.

When Ford introduced the single overhead cam 5.4L 3V Modular V-8 in 2004 in the redesigned F-Series trucks and the 4.6L 3V in the all-new '05 Mustang GT, it was viewed as an upscale compromise between the 2V Modular and the mighty DOHC-4V Cobra and Mach 1 engines.

If properly done, a remanufactured engine should be as good as a new engine and it should carry a warranty for a year. And generally, it should be cheaper than a fully rebuilt engine. But you need to find out exactly who is doing the rebuilding.

It is relatively reliable, with only two major faults: excessive timing chain stretch, and spark plugs sometimes blowing out of the cylinder head. I'll cover the spark plug issue first.

One service issue technicians should be on the look out for is late-model Ford trucks (1997 to 2004 Ford F-Series, Expeditions and Excursions) that are reportedly blowing out spark plugs. The problem seems to occur most often on 5.4L Triton engines, but may also occur on other V6, V8 and V10 engines in these vehicles.

Which Triton engine to avoid? ›

Eight-cylinder, naturally aspirated engines are typically seen to offer better longevity. Plus, because they are simpler, repairs can be less costly. It might be best to avoid the 5.4-liter 3V Triton V8 if you want the most reliable Ford engine, though.

TOM: For those who have Ford trucks from this era, the offending engines are the 3-valve 5.4-liter from 2004 to 2007, the 3-valve 4.6-liter from 2005 to 2007, and the 3-valve 6.8-liter from 2005 to 2007.

all blocks them selves and heads are the same... On the heads there are two kinds... ROMEO and WINDSOR... the only difference is the valve covers...

Triton was just Ford's branded term for the Modular V8 installed in their trucks and vans. This was opposed to their earlier pushrod V8's, their V6es, or their Powerstroke series of Diesel engines (Diesel was not offered in the F150, but was in larger trucks and vans).

The Ford 5.4 or Triton engine is one of the most commonly used engines for the company's line of trucks and full-size SUVs. This vehicle is a 5.4-L, naturally aspirated V8 engine. While specs change from vehicle to vehicle, the 2014 Ford F-250 vehicle with a 5.4-L engine gets 255 horsepower.

Modular engines used in Ford trucks were marketed under the Triton name from 1997–2010 while the InTech name was used for a time at Lincoln and Mercury for vehicles equipped with DOHC versions of the engines.

The last f150 with the 5.4 triton was built in 2010.

Driving the Used 2007 Ford F150

The Triton 5.4-liter V8 features a three-valve-per-cylinder design and variable cam timing to generate 300 horsepower and a healthy 365 pound-feet of torque.

With over two decades of experience with the 4.6 & 5.4 L engines, Promar was ready to make the infamous "3 valve" 5.4 L engine their new specialty when it was introduced in 2004.

Dating back to 1997, when Ford first installed the 2-valve 5.4L into the Ford F-150 pickup truck, this engine was marketed as a Triton V-8.

How long is labor for engine replacement? ›

Engine Replacement Labor Cost

On a typical engine, the shop time quoted will be 10 to 12 hours. On an easy engine with a skilled mechanic, you may get quoted as little as 8 hours, while bigger jobs may require as many as 15 hours.

If the rest of the vehicle is in good condition mechanically and is a newer vehicle, an engine replacement could be the best option budget-wise. Engine replacement or rebuilding can be cost-effective when it comes to saving money rather than spending thousands on a new vehicle.

The lifespan of Perfectly Rebuilt Engines

Whatever mileage you have on your clock now, a good rebuild could add you an extra 150,000 miles or more if well maintained. Proper maintenance involves regular inspections, oil changes, and mechanical adjustments after a certain mileage.

A well known problem with the Ford 5.4 3V engines is the dreaded 'phaser rattle' This happens when the variable cam timing phasers can no longer be controlled by the ECU due to wear in the phaser or lack of oil pressure / volume being delivered to them.

What is the Lifespan of a Tritons Engine? Mitsubishi Tritons are known to last a long time - with many owners reporting over 300,000 km on their vehicles.

The whole package was topped off with a 5.4L Triton V8 that was blessed with a high-performance Whipple 2.3L Twin-Screw Supercharger that brought power levels up to 475 horsepower and some 500lb-ft of torque. As it turns out, the experiment didn't last long, and the Super Snake is now a coveted collectors item.

The 5-liter V8 engine gets up to 17 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway, with a combined rate of 19 mpg. With four-wheel drive, fuel efficiency changes to 16 mpg in the city and 22 on the highway, with a combined rate of 18 mpg.

One of them was the GT500's 5.4-liter supercharged V8. The advanced all-aluminum engine features dual overhead cams, forged pistons, and a roots-style supercharger from Eaton. It produces 550 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque.

Generally, experts suggest replacing your spark plugs every 30,000 miles, although it can vary depending on your car.

What year did Ford fix the spark plug problem? ›

That original 2006 TSB has been updated several times, with the final one being TSB 08-7-6 (you can easily find it on the web). For 2008, Ford redesigned the 3V cylinder head to use a new one-piece spark plug.

Over time, carbon accumulates here and can cause the spark plug tip to stick in the cylinder head. Upon removal, it's possible for the two-piece plug to break, leaving the lower half of the inner porcelain and the tip in the head.

If you are looking for the best of the ML Tritons then it's the MY09 GLX-R and GLS that you'll be shopping for. The MY09 upgrade also saw the alloy wheels for the GLX-R and GLS increase from 16" to 17" diameter. Finding out how the Triton you are looking at, has been used, is important.

The GLS variant is the pick of the Triton range, with the best balance between capability and price.

Evidently, the best Ford F-150 engine for longevity is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost powertrain. However, if you are a 5.0-liter engine fan, and you are still wondering which F-150 engine is most reliable between the 3.5-liter EcoBoost or the 5.0-liter, the answer is straight-forward.

XLT means Extra Luxurious Trucks; this term helps to indicate that the model's lineup comes with better trim levels. This type goes back to 1970, when the higher trim level of the Ford Ranger for the year's model was called XLT. In 1973, the Ford-100 model also had the same designation.

2009-2010 Triton 5.4L

With 300 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque, the Triton 5.4L is one of the most reliable F150 engines. Minor problems were still present like crank angle sensor issues and the occasional spark plug broken off in the head, but few repairs were as expensive as the previous years.

Unlike a two-valve engine, where there is only one intake valve, a three or four-valve setup allows manufacturers to design the engine in such a way that each intake valve opens at a slightly different time. The technique is also known as variable valve timing.

Of course, when this happens, in a worst-case scenario the timing goes all to hell and you wind up with an expensive engine repair because it is an interference type engine where the valves and pistons are now out of sync with each other and thusly slamming against one another.

This is our sleeved version of the Ford 5.4 / 5.8L aluminum engine block used in the Ford GT and 2011-2014 Ford Shelby GT500.

What was the last Ford Big Block? ›

Produced in Lima, Ohio at the Lima engine plant, the engine family was the final big-block V8 designed and produced by Ford during the 20th century. After 1978, the engines were phased out of Ford cars as its full-size cars underwent downsizing (intermediates last used the engines in 1976).

When Ford introduced the single overhead cam 5.4L 3V Modular V-8 in 2004 in the redesigned F-Series trucks and the 4.6L 3V in the all-new '05 Mustang GT, it was viewed as an upscale compromise between the 2V Modular and the mighty DOHC-4V Cobra and Mach 1 engines.

3-Valve Ford 5.4 Triton

The first big change to the Ford 5.4 Triton came in 2002 when the company launched it in Australia. This was when the company switched from a 2-valve to a 3-valve setup. However, This version made its way to the USA in 2004.

TOM: For those who have Ford trucks from this era, the offending engines are the 3-valve 5.4-liter from 2004 to 2007, the 3-valve 4.6-liter from 2005 to 2007, and the 3-valve 6.8-liter from 2005 to 2007.

2015-2020 Ford F-150

Specifically, the 2018 F-150 is easily one of the best and most reliable models of pickup trucks, thanks to its high durability ratings and great mileage. The 2019 model is also a standout with excellent critics and user reviews.

Evidently, the best Ford F-150 engine for longevity is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost powertrain. However, if you are a 5.0-liter engine fan, and you are still wondering which F-150 engine is most reliable between the 3.5-liter EcoBoost or the 5.0-liter, the answer is straight-forward.

Over time, carbon accumulates here and can cause the spark plug tip to stick in the cylinder head. Upon removal, it's possible for the two-piece plug to break, leaving the lower half of the inner porcelain and the tip in the head.

No car in the history of the automobile industry is perfect, and the Ford F-150 is no exception. Some of the worst model years of the Ford F-150 (and the ones you should avoid buying) are 2004, 2005, and 2010.

Ford Cam Phaser problems consisting of rattling noises and causing engine damage, or even engine failure are affecting the 2017-2020 Ford 150, and 2018-2020 Expedition.

What year F150 has coyote motor? ›

Ford started installing the Coyote Engine in the 2011 F-150 pickup truck and is still offered in the current 2023 Ford F-150 alongside the popular EcoBoost v6 engines.

Short List: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2017. Ford has been one of the top-performing and selling trucks for decades and is generally considered the most reliable and durable option out there. In any given year, it has the chance to be the best-selling vehicle in the US and ranked third overall in 2021.

Reliable reports reveal a large number of claims confirming it's possible. Some of the F-Series pickup trucks have even reached 300,000 miles or more.