Class C Ford Question

[Diamondpilot]

The plugs can be a issue but not as big as the internet makes it out to be. I am a Ford guy, owned a dozen or so and my family another dozen. 70% of my customers drive Fords and the only plug issues I know of first hand is a broken plug in my BIL's 100,000 plus mile 2006 F-150 with less than stellar maintenance. He is luck to change his oil ever 8,000 miles. The other is on a customers early 2000's 2Valve V-10. He did blow out 2 plugs.

In both instances the fix is cheap if the guy doing it knows what he is doing. About $80 per cylinder affected. Maybe a little more for a blown plug.

Back to the engines themselves. The 460 is much better as a Fuel Injected Motor. Lots of F-450 Dumps running around here with them. The V-10 got a new head, 3Valve versus 2Valve in 2005 I think and gained some HP and TQ. It also got the Torque Shift Tranny that the diesels got in 2003. Its a bullet proof tranny and is widely thought to be better than the Allison. Its actually a 6 speed Auto but only uses 5 speed depending on temp and also if tow haul mode is engaged. In 2011 it became 7 speed but only uses 6 gears again depending on temp and tow haul.

If its got a V-10 and a Torque Shift you have a drive line that is virtually indestructible other than the plug issue.

Chris

 

[timswi]

The plugs can be a issue but not as big as the internet makes it out to be. I am a Ford guy, owned a dozen or so and my family another dozen. 70% of my customers drive Fords and the only plug issues I know of first hand is a broken plug in my BIL's 100,000 plus mile 2006 F-150 with less than stellar maintenance. He is luck to change his oil ever 8,000 miles. The other is on a customers early 2000's 2Valve V-10. He did blow out 2 plugs.

In both instances the fix is cheap if the guy doing it knows what he is doing. About $80 per cylinder affected. Maybe a little more for a blown plug.

Back to the engines themselves. The 460 is much better as a Fuel Injected Motor. Lots of F-450 Dumps running around here with them. The V-10 got a new head, 3Valve versus 2Valve in 2005 I think and gained some HP and TQ. It also got the Torque Shift Tranny that the diesels got in 2003. Its a bullet proof tranny and is widely thought to be better than the Allison. Its actually a 6 speed Auto but only uses 5 speed depending on temp and also if tow haul mode is engaged. In 2011 it became 7 speed but only uses 6 gears again depending on temp and tow haul.

If its got a V-10 and a Torque Shift you have a drive line that is virtually indestructible other than the plug issue.

Chris

From the sounds of things, I'm hoping for a 460...Unlikely though. Changing a blown plug in a van front end on a V10 will probably requires a subframe drop.

I'll see what it is before I worry about that too much....Thanks for all of the opinions, aside from the plug thing on the V10, nothing I haven't heard before.

Sorry about my Ford ignorance, if I were to buy this it would be my only true Ford ever owned besides my previous Chevy powered '50 Ford F-1, so that isn't much help.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I would not worry one bit about the plugs. From the sounds of it this unit is low miles. Ford recommended 60,000 and 100,000 miles for the plug changes depending on years. I know guys with 25 year old RV's with only 40,000 miles. They just don't get used that much with gas prices what they are most people will be lucky to put 1,000 miles a year on one.

Both of our Co-Pilots have them. One is a Ford based unit just like you are looking at. I bet that thing has less than 10,000 miles and its something like a 2001. Other guy has a GM based one that is older and I bet it does not have 7,500 miles on it. Ford one has made one trip to North Carolina from Indiana and the GM based one has made it as far as Tulsa in its 15 years. Rest of the time they go around the state and many years don't go anywhere in a entire year.

What I am getting at is plugs will be a long way off on a modern engine with platinum plugs.

Chris

 

[timswi]

I would not worry one bit about the plugs. From the sounds of it this unit is low miles. Ford recommended 60,000 and 100,000 miles for the plug changes depending on years. I know guys with 25 year old RV's with only 40,000 miles. They just don't get used that much with gas prices what they are most people will be lucky to put 1,000 miles a year on one.

Both of our Co-Pilots have them. One is a Ford based unit just like you are looking at. I bet that thing has less than 10,000 miles and its something like a 2001. Other guy has a GM based one that is older and I bet it does not have 7,500 miles on it. Ford one has made one trip to North Carolina from Indiana and the GM based one has made it as far as Tulsa in its 15 years. Rest of the time they go around the state and many years don't go anywhere in a entire year.

What I am getting at is plugs will be a long way off on a modern engine with platinum plugs.

Chris

That's what I'm hoping...Let you know when we look at it hopefully this week...Just wanted some backround and you provided it..Appreciate that. If anything else comes to mind, let me know.

 

[Chef Pa]

Read all about the modular engines here.

Ford Modular engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I still think the 2V spark plug issue was solved in the very late 1990's or very early 2000's. You should search some Ford truck sites for more information.

Philip.

Philip,

Good info on the modulars. Don't know why but I've always thought there was a V6 modular. Guess that's what I get for thinking, have been in trouble there before...

I also thought the whole 'modular' thing was about interchangeable parts, not production tooling changes.

Thanks for the info - Greg

 

[timswi]

Ok, finally got to take a quick look at this tonight.

It's a 1996 (registered as a 97) V10 with 50k.

The current owner is painfully honest..He's converned about the manifold bolts because he was told by the truck grage that that's the biggest risk. Because of that he's knocking 2k off without having them replaced. There is no current problem with them and the motor purrs.

The MH is in exceptional condition with great tires and body condition.

What are the thoughts on this drivetrain?...It's on a 450 chassis.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Its a good motor. I would not be concerned about the manifold bolts/studs. Should be a 2 valve motor and as you know the spark plugs can be a issue. I would honestly say the weak part of it may be the tranny. What one is behind that V10.

Did you drive it?

Chris

 

[timswi]

Its a good motor. I would not be concerned about the manifold bolts/studs. Should be a 2 valve motor and as you know the spark plugs can be a issue. I would honestly say the weak part of it may be the tranny. What one is behind that V10.

Did you drive it?

Chris

Didn't have time to drive it tonight...The owner wanted to check the brake fluid since the front's were just redone since last time he drove it...He said, if something is up, I want it to be on me...He appears to be overly cautious. My in-laws live across the road, that might be why. Other than that, my reservations are limited.

I don't know what tranny is in it..He gave me a foot thick folder with all of the docs to look through...Gonna do that tomorrow night.

It has something he called a 'select" tranny...I think he was talking about converter lockout. it does have overdrive.

Looking at the that 30lbs of you know what stuffed in a 1 lb bag does give me engine repair concerns..I know that a good bit can be had from the center cover, but still.

Bottom line is that he wants 7k for it as is...I think the risk may be worth it. It has a tri power fridge, microwave, propane generator, all HVAC, new matress in the master BR, fully self contained, interior is almost mint...The only thing I see is the box stickers are faded. not bad for the year. Stored in the mines in the winter since new.

So tell me something that will push me to either side of the fence. Not to start a food fight, but if it was a 454 or 6.2 Chevy, I'd have probably shook hands on it. I just don't have any (and I mean any) Ford ownership experience...Just car and truck maintenance for friends...Never a V10.

It does have simulators and a K&N cold air kit

 

[RoMad]

A lot of time has been spent talking about the drive train but what about the coach itself? I have had 7 travel trailers and am now on my 5th motorhome so I have been around a few of them. There is a BIG difference in the quality of construction from one brand coach to another. What brand is the coach? Does it have a rubber roof? If it has a rubber roof has it been maintained, has the coach been kept in a barn or shed? Does the refrigerator work in all modes, does the generator work, is there any sign of water damage inside? How long is it? Are the sides delaminating or starting to? Does it have fiberglass end caps, an awning? Right now motorhomes are selling very cheap due to gas prices and the fuel mileage they get.
A good place to compare the price to similar units is traderonline or go to an RV forum and ask a few questions. Good luck.

 

[crbr]

........So tell me something that will push me to either side of the fence.

Having lived and traveled for work in a travel home, I'd not even consider a machine without a summer / winter insulation package. Most all units do not come with any resemblance of adequate insulation to sustain comfortable and economic conditions inside. A heater can run constanlty or an a roof AC can go all day and night with no relief due to poor insulation. Most units are built for perfect temperature and humidity conditions in the summer camping season. If that is your intent, so be it. If the unit does not have an insulation package, I'd not consider it. There is no perfect day for comfort in a poorly or uninsulated unit. Roofs are hot even with the white reflective coatings.

After three years in one, I learned one thing.... if I never set foot in another RV type unit again for the rest of my life, it will be too soon.

If casual use and seasonal comfort zones are your goals then don't be concerned about the construction of the living cabin.

You can call the manufacturer with the VIN and / or a manufactured number and they can tell you the build-out on the living cabin.

$0.02 (and that does not reflect the price of fuel).

.