I hate to compare.... Chevy 5.3 vs Ford 4.6

[RET423]

The thermostat in my 5.3L is stamped 187 Deg, dash gauge matches fairly close

The thermostat begins opening at the stamped temp and is fully open 10 degrees warmer than the stamped temp, most factory thermostats that I have pulled were stamped 195 but a 187 and a 175 are both available at any parts store.

The thermostat is using the water temp at the thermostat housing, if the sending unit for the temp gauge is close to the thermostat the gauge will read very close to the thermostat rating but it is not uncommon for the sending unit to be located in a head or block water jacket which will usually report a higher temp than the thermostat housing.

What really matters is whether the temp range is consistent, if it is the Coolant system is functioning as designed; if the temp swings are greater than 10 degrees it probably means the radiator core is not flowing freely, the water pump is weak, the fans are not working properly or the air flow is restricted; watching your temp gauge closely enough to spot small variations will enable you to correct issues before they become bad enough to overheat and damage something

 

[Larryjb]

Now I read your post lol One thing that stood out with my dad's trucks. I LOVED the transmissions! He doesn't pull anything with them though. I think now GM has more gears in their transmissions though. And in terms of highway efficiency.

I wouldn't mind a 6 speed in my 2001 Tahoe (they didn't offer them till later years). However, I always think, once I'm at highway speed it doesn't really matter. Unless the 6 speed has a different ratio overdrive / final gear. In city, I drive like grandma and it does decent. Off road, well it just sucks lol 12 MPG.

Not sure is a fair comparison but I do LOVE the newer Ford transmissions compared to any of the old GM transmissions I have. Although, I've not had a chance to drive any of the newer GM transmissions so isn't much of a fair comparison.

FYI I think VVT is a MUCH more efficient design. It's no contest when compared to single fixed cam like in SBC / LS. Although, in terms of simplicity and reliability you cannot beat an LS (in my opinion). VVT will almost always be better. It's like having a handful of different cams in your motor versus one. The computer can select the best cam for the load. That said I'd still take my LS because I don't like the added complexity of VVT in a truck.

I believe it is a lot more difficult or complicated to achieve VVT with an overhead valve engine as opposed to an overhead cam engine. With the dual cams and cam phasers, the heads on Fords are huge! But, you can get some nice valve timing easily. With overhead valve, you have to have a lot of translational motions between the cam and valve (lifters, rods, rockers). With only 1 cam, you are limited to what you can adjust with valve timing. I suppose GM could try to stuff 2 cams under the valley.

So far, our Ford 4.6L is going strong with about 240000 km. I quite like it, but if I ever had to replace a head, that would be a nightmare! Fortunately, Ford heads seem to be pretty good. GM went through a time with cracked heads, and I had one too.

And now I know I have piston slap. How annoying, but at least I know it's not detrimental to the engine, especially as long as I give it time to warm up before driving off. The 4.6 doesn't seem to suffer from piston slap.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

I honestly have very little experience with ford motors. my guess is the test of time will prove that a quality motor as well.

I am in love with my 5.3L though lol Hoping to find a 6.0L and swap it though. Been really happy with these LS motors.

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[mountie]

Many moons ago I picked up a 40' Formula off-shore race boat from Orange County in a 4-door dually'

I was careful on the up-hill northbound Grapevine.... The last part of the downhill.... Crap....
The trailer was nearly heaver than the truck, alone!! Talk about smelling the brakes!!

Coq...... From the top, my diesel engine through a rod going down. ( Top Kick custom w/a 45' race trailer )

I rubbed the right front tire on the concrete wall until it finally came to a stop.
( Throw a rod , NO AIR FOR ANY BRAKES !! )

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

Many moons ago I picked up a 40' Formula off-shore race boat from Orange County in a 4-door dually'

I was careful on the up-hill northbound Grapevine.... The last part of the downhill.... Crap....
The trailer was nearly heaver than the truck, alone!! Talk about smelling the brakes!!

Coq...... From the top, my diesel engine through a rod going down. ( Top Kick custom w/a 45' race trailer )

I rubbed the right front tire on the concrete wall until it finally came to a stop.
( Throw a rod , NO AIR FOR ANY BRAKES !! )

that is some real carnage there! what make and model was the truck?

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[mountie]

On the Coq....

Only body damage was the lug nut covers on the right front wheel.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

On the Coq....

Only body damage was the lug nut covers on the right front wheel.

View attachment 238089 View attachment 238090

what a beast. suprised you could blow it up lol

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[mountie]

what a beast. suprised you could blow it up lol

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I was surprised too....I drove it for a couple years, then I had not driven the truck for 2 years ( I was hauling for another team w/ Porsches)....Then I left SoCal with a funny knock sound once in a while, as I drove to St.Louis then Saskatoon, Ca.
Heading to Seattle via B.C., it let go at the top of the Coq, going down, only a half mile...

I realized, the idiot who drove it those 2 years, must have over-reved it down a grade, then parked it with the rod knock & failed to report it.

 

[Larryjb]

Wow Peter. That is scary on the Coq. There aren't many runaway lanes on that highway, few places to pull over safely. It should have been designed as a 6 lane freeway with 2 lanes for trucks, one for cars, and have a wider shoulder. However, this would have been too expensive to do this way. Glad you survived that, it could have been a lot worse.

 

[mountie]

Wow Peter. That is scary on the Coq. There aren't many runaway lanes on that highway, few places to pull over safely. It should have been designed as a 6 lane freeway with 2 lanes for trucks, one for cars, and have a wider shoulder. However, this would have been too expensive to do this way. Glad you survived that, it could have been a lot worse.

The timing of the engine fail could not have been better ( Say, what?? )......
1/8" of a mile ahead was a (whatch ya call it)..... A "roof" to allow snow to stay above the roadway.
( Kinda like a short tunnel, not far from the top of the Coq )..... There is a right-hand shoulder before it, off the road just enough for me to steer to the right & off the lane.... giving me the 200 yards to scrub off speed on the concrete.
( I have a video of it after, but no photos ) Showing the oil slick running down-hill from the cab !!

I think is was about $3,000 bucks to tow both the truck then the trailer to North Vancouver at the Detroit Diesel shop.
It took a week & a half for a new engine install & clean up systems, so I visited my Vancouver cousins.....( I was born in Victoria)

(To add )... After the fix, I drove in rain all the way to St Louis, Mo, to the Merrimac River for the next race. Luck continues..... All that rain flooded the river & cancelled the F-1 Tunnel Boat races.
My rig hauled a pair of F-1 Tunnelboats. ( Ist ever, 100% carbon fiber "DAC" built boats from Italy )