Issue 12 • Engine & Transmission Tips
The Ford Triton engine is a 5.4-liter V8 that was primarily designed to power full-size trucks and sport utility vehicles like the Ford F-150, the Ford Expedition, and the Lincoln Navigator. It features a single overhead cam (SOHC), or dual overhead cam (DOHC) design, in a V configuration. But now, it is used in many lines, including sports cars like the Mustang Cobra R, the Ford Shelby GT500, and the Ford GT. It also powered the Australian Ford Falcon sports sedan.
The Titan 5.4-liter engine saw several revisions during its lifespan, including the introduction of this 3-valve SOHC design, and the addition of a 4-valve dual-overhead cam version in 2000.
The immense popularity of this engine puts it at the top of Fraser’s remanufactured engines list.
Our remanufactured engines proudly rate as some of the best in our industry because of the extensive and thorough work we perform on the engine block, the cylinder heads, the crankshaft, the camshaft, and the connecting rods. (We believe we do more, and use more brand-new parts, than any of our competitors.)
The remanufacturing process beings with the engine core, and a check for any cracks or structural integrity problems using the Magna Flux process. All issues are repaired to “better than original” strength.) We then examine and test all threaded holes for stripping.
Next, we re-bore each cylinder with extreme precision, which is then decked, chamfered, and honed.
After rigorous quality checks and tolerance assurances, the installation of 100% band-new pistons, rings, and bearings comes next.
A signature feature of our Ford Triton 5.4 remanufacturing is the installation of a Melling M360, high-volume Oil Pump. Fraser was one of the first to detect the stock oil pump issue and has worked directly with Melling for many years to perfect this pump, including its cast-iron backing plate. This extra Fraser effort yields 20% greater oil flow to the top of the engine, vs. the stock pump, protecting the cam phasers and journals from premature wear.
Carrying through Fraser’s focus on being the best, we double-check all cylinder heads for cracks and hole thread failure, immediately scrapping those that do not meet our standards. From there, they are resurfaced perfectly with the intake and exhaust valve seats being machined with the correct three-angle value specs.
We then install 100% new intake and exhaust valves with new seals and lifters. We also replace all threaded plugs, to ensure zero coolant leaks.
The head is then assembled on the short block, with crankshafts that are ground in-house and chamfered at the oil galley holes. Additional updates are made Timing is adjusted, and a vacuum decay test is performed. After it passes that, we do a full, cold-motor sim test, for consistent cylinder compression, oil flow, and pressure.
The completed engine is then run through a full DYNO test. After that, we execute a pressurized water jacket, head gasket, and castings test, to ensure the engine doesn’t have any coolant leaks.
The final step on a Fraser remanufactured engine journey is the professional packing team, where the engine is encased in either a plastic dunnage or a wood container, with a unique serial number for tracking.
The Ford 5.4-liter Triton engine serves a wide variety of automotive needs, and is a 100% match if you own any of the following vehicles:
- Ford Expedition
- Ford E-Series
- Ford Falcon
- Ford F-150
- Ford GT
- Ford Mustang
- Lincoln Blackwood
- Lincoln Navigator