This is my first Ford with the Modular engine so I have a noob question. Are our 5.4 3V Triton motors equipped with 4-bolt mains or 6-bolt mains? I know some Modular engines are supposed to have standard 4-bolt mains with two cross bolts making them 6-bolt, specifically on Mustangs and such. I was curious what our blocks are equipped with. I've done a search and I can't find anything on this site or others.
Your 3v should have 4 bolt mains. I believe the only ones in those years that got the 6 was the 4v 4.6 and maybe 4v 5.4
Thanks brother, so many views and finally someone answers! I was curious about my engine. I don't spin high enough for it to matter but it is relieving know that our trucks don't run piddly ass 2-bolt mains.
Nothing wrong with 2 bolt mains if its built right. Honestly 4 bolt is overkill for these motors. I got a built 289 with 2 bolts making ~375 and will spin to 7500rpm
I know of MANY 1st gen lightnings with stock blocks (2 bolt main) cranking 500+ and no issues.. Once in a while you'll get ones that start having crank walk but mainly only if ya hit em with nitrous... My 302 is makin around 300 at wheels on a stock remanned bottom end.. Nonissue. Smokin' Tires with my 5.0 on Tapatalk
I think the Windsor 289 is probably one of the most robust engines Ford ever built, aside from the indestructible 300 I6. Maybe I'm just a bit worried coming from GM knowing that the later GMs with 2-bolt mains needed girdles or reinforcement if you're planning on spinning higher than 5000RPM. Cool stuff, it seems like everyone around here is pushing serious power figures. I got nothing on mine to help me with that. I always thought the Lightning 5.4s were 4-bolt. Either way, those are awesome trucks. Frikking Camaro killers!
If you ever get to tear down a small block Chevy, you'll know why.. Every bolt on it is tiny... My head bolts are same size as they're damn harmonic balancer just bout.. Such small bolts don't provide the clamping force needed, thus the need for more of em ie: 4 bolt mains Smokin' Tires with my 5.0 on Tapatalk
Back when I worked for GM, I worked on literally hundreds of small block GM motors. Everything from the L98 to the LT1 and a few Vortecs. The Vortecs themselves, without the variable valve timing or cylinder deactiviation, are fantastic. The original small block GMs are stout little motors, not as indestructible as Fords but generally reliable. However, one of the absolute first things we ever did if ever rebuilt one was switch it up to four bolt mains. It was generally standard practise that if you're rebuilding a small block GM, you are going to use 4-bolt mains. Anyone considered to have skipped that step was called a hack! I've never had a chance to tear into a Ford motor, ever. The more I learn about my Ford modulars the more I like. Seems like they overbuilt these Modular motors to make 'em reliable. Generally the more moving parts you have, the greater chance of failure. OHC motors have a lot more parts than OHV, but these Modulars seem to be holding up well. Now if only they made the cam phasers more reliable. It's too bad that I gotta have mine replaced soon.
