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Was the Ford V4 engine any good?

The Ford V4 engine was a compact and lightweight engine design used in various Ford vehicles during the mid-20th century. While it had some advantages, the V4 engine was not considered one of Ford's best engine designs and faced some limitations compared to other engine configurations.


Overview of the Ford V4 Engine


The Ford V4 engine was a 60-degree V-configuration four-cylinder engine that was produced from the 1960s through the 1980s. It was designed to be a compact and lightweight option for smaller Ford vehicles, such as the Escort, Fiesta, and Taunus models. The V4 configuration allowed for a shorter engine block compared to an inline four-cylinder design, which was beneficial for packaging in smaller cars.


Advantages and Disadvantages of the Ford V4


The Ford V4 engine had a few advantages, including:



  • Compact size and lightweight design - The V4 configuration allowed for a smaller and lighter engine compared to an inline four-cylinder.

  • Smooth operation - The V4 design provided a smoother power delivery than a traditional four-cylinder engine.


However, the Ford V4 also had some notable disadvantages:



  • Limited power output - The V4 design was inherently less powerful than larger four-cylinder or V6 engines, limiting its performance capabilities.

  • Vibration issues - The V4 configuration was prone to increased vibration compared to other engine designs, which could lead to reliability and durability concerns.

  • Lack of widespread use - The V4 was not as commonly used as other engine configurations, which meant less development and refinement over time.


Overall, while the Ford V4 engine had some advantages in terms of size and weight, it was not considered one of Ford's most successful or widely-used engine designs. The limited power output and vibration issues ultimately led to the V4 being phased out in favor of more advanced four-cylinder and V6 engine designs.

Is the V4 a good engine?


V4 engines are an excellent design and the 90 degree cylinder design gives them better balance than an inline four. The drawback to this design is that two heads are required. Like the Subaru flat four, the V4 requires a more complex cam drive arrangement when an overhead cam is use.



How much horsepower does a Ford V4 have?


Ford Taunus V4 engine

Ford Taunus V4
Power output40–240 hp (30–179 kW)
Torque output80–137 N⋅m (59–101 lb⋅ft)
Chronology
PredecessorFord Sidevalve engine (1.2) Ford Taunus straight-four (1.5, 1.7)



What was Ford's most reliable engine?


Reaching over 500,000 miles on average, the 6.7 Power Stroke engine is the best in reliability, with some Ford enthusiasts reporting the success of their diesel engines at 1.3 million miles.



What is the most reliable 4-cylinder engine?


The 10 best four-cylinder engines ever made

  • Rover K-Series (1988)
  • Mazda B6ZE (RS) (1989)
  • BMC A Series (1951)
  • Alfa Twin Cam (1954)
  • B16B – Honda Civic Type R EK9 (1997)
  • F20C – Honda S2000 (2000)
  • EA888 – Volkswagen (2006)
  • B4204T48 – Polestar 1 (2018)



Is A V4 better than a V6?


If you prioritize fuel economy and don't need a lot of power, then the four-cylinder is likely your best bet; while some V6 options get decent gas mileage, they are still less efficient overall than a four-cylinder engine. On the other hand, if you care about speed and power, then you'll want to go with the V6.



What are the disadvantages of a V4 engine?


Disadvantages of V4 engines include its design being inherently wider compared to inline-4 engines, as well as the requirement of two exhaust manifolds, two-cylinder heads, and two valvetrains (thus needing two sets of camshafts for overhead cam engines) rather than only one cylinder head, one manifold, one valvetrain, ...



What are the most common problems in a 4.6 Ford engine?


We'll also cover how to avoid the issues and what to look for when shopping for a vehicle with this engine.

  • The Most Common Problems With Ford 4.6L Engines:
  • Intake Manifold Failure.
  • Timing Chain Guide Failure.
  • Spark Plug Failure.
  • Oil Pressure Drop.
  • Product Speedbumps.
  • Avoiding 4.6 Engine Problems.



Which Ford engine lasts the longest?


Diesel engines.
Ford trucks and SUVs with diesel engines will last much longer than their gasoline counterparts. Diesel engines are known for their longevity, frequently surpassing 400,000 miles. There are even reports of a Ford diesel engine making it to 1 million miles.



What is the strongest V4 engine?


M139
The most powerful four-cylinder engine title (at the time of writing) goes to the M139 found in the Mercedes-AMG A45S.



What Ford motors to stay away from?


We'll be talking about the 2003 – 2007 Ford Super Duty 6.0-Liter Power Stroke V8 Engine, 2011 – 2023 5.0-Liter Coyote Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine, 2008 – 2010 Ford Super Duty 6.4-Liter Power Stroke Engine, 1986 – 1995 Ford 5.0-Liter (302 CID) EFI High Output V8 Engine, 1965 – 1977 V4 Essex Engine, 1965 – ...


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.