Pushrod Vs. Modular
 

What is the difference between a PUSHROD engine and a MODULAR engine????????

Just about everything. For starters, mod engines are overhead cam, so there is no need for pushrods. Modular engines share the same basic design in blocks, aluminum heads and other key components. Advantages associated with Ford's modular engine series are: increased power, durability, fuel efficiency, and reduced noise, vibration and harshness. In most cases, push-rods have a lot of power on the bottom to mid sections of the powerband, and begin to drop of quickly after it's peak, and have lower power levels at high RPM's. Modular engines often have anemic power levels on the bottom, but have good strong power levels usually starting in the mid-RPM powerband and usually continue to grow or stay close to peak all the way through the high RPM powerband, some stay strong nearly to the redline. This is not always true, but is generally correct for this situation.

4.6L SOHC/4.6L DOHC/5.4L SOHC
In 1991, Ford unleashed a new era of muscle, one that is propelling us into the future. The modular engine focuses on low friction, excellent sealing and increased block stiffness. The design results in an extremely smooth running engine using aluminum heads and having all accessories rigidly mounted to the engine. Both the engine block and head are machined to close tolerances to produce a very precise assembly. The head bolts of modular engines actually extend past the cylinder bores into the bearing webs, eliminating bore distortion and providing a better head gasket seal. The sophisticated overhead cam design uses roller finger followers to lower friction and increase the RPM potential of the engine. On the bottom end, the deep skirt engine block and cross-bolted main caps contribute to a higher rigid assembly. Two engine plants manufacture Modular engines; Romeo produces all passenger car versions and Windsor produces the Modular Truck engines. HereÕs a brief description of Modular V-8 engines.

4.6L SOHC
The 4.6L SOHC (2V) was first introduced in 1991. This engine is the basis for all modular engines as is used in passenger cars as well as trucks. The block is cast iron with a nodular crankshaft, while the heads are aluminum using an in-line valve design with 1 intake and 1 exhaust valve per cylinder. All passenger cars have press fit piston pins, while all truck engines have full floating piston pins to improve durability.

4.6L DOHC
The 4.6L DOHC (4V) was first introduced in the Mark VIII; however, in 1996 a similar version of this engine found its calling in the Mustang Cobra. The aluminum block and four-valve head make for a powerful combination producing 305 HP @ 7000 RPM. Internally the 4 bolt, cross-bolted main bearing caps provide the support necessary to easily handle the high RPM potential of the forged steel crankshaft. This engine uses hypereutectic pistons with full floating piston pins and upgraded connecting rod assemblies to improve durability.

5.4L SOHC
The 5.4L SOHC (2V) "Triton" engine released in trucks for 1997 is producing favorable reactions. This engine has a cast iron block, forged steel crankshaft, full floating piston pins and special 6000 RPM connecting rods. It is the 5.8L "pushrod engine" replacement.

Take care,
-Chris

WOW---thanks alot--it helped bigtime :D

no sweat.

Take care,
-Chris

Chris...the 4.6 Cobra has 6-bolt mains right?

Both the SOHC and DOHC 4.6 engines have cross bolts on the mains, in addition to 2 main bolts per in the SOHC, and 4 main bolts per in the DOHC. If you add the cross bolts to the total, then the SOHC is a 4 bolt main, and the DOHC is a 6 bolt main. It just depends on who you ask. Those that I work with refer to them as 2 and 4 bolt mains, but technically, you are 100% correct!

:)

Take care,
-Chris

Thanks bud, I always like it when I'm 100% correct, as you are with your replies. I believe FORD calls them "splayed" caps?

Have worked for Panoz Motorsports Racing School and we have "Pi Dash" like CART and F1, as well as other top-notch racing entities, anyway, on our 4.6 Cobra motored school cars I have personally installed 4.6's OHC motors that have seen 9600 rpm's on overrun/blown/F-up'ed shifts (1st time, over zealous student's) on the tell tail of the Pi dash units, the 4.6 Cobra motor is just plain awesome, but have you ever seen the routing and length of the timing belt, MY GOD! it's long, first replacement job scared the crappolla out of me. We currently have 11 4.6 Cobra motors on pallets waiting for replaceament units as well as many transmissions.

On our lower horsepower cars we run the "Australian 5.0", it is the same 5.0 as we all are used to, but the intake and such are on the 180 degree opposite side of the motor, all else is supposedly to be the same, BUT CHRIS, YOU KNOW IM NOT ONE TO BS, BUT THESE AUSTRALIAN 5.0'S MOST DEFINETLY SEEM TO HAVE MORE TORQUE AT A LOWER RPM THAT THE 100'S OF AMERICAN 5.0'S HAVE, IS THERE A "MECHANICAL" DIFFERENCE OR IS IT BECAUSE OUR CARS ARE 2600 POUNDS AND PURPOSE BUILT ROCK STIFF CARS AND iM "IMMAGINING" THE POWER INCREASE?

Thanks again! gtsr515

How's the dirt treatin' ya?

We finally won our first main event last Saturday! Our luck has just been rotten, but it all came together last week! We have a lock on 2nd place in the points.

As far as the Aussie 5,0's, I really can't say. I lived there for a few months, but I didn't learn anything! They may have the cam advanced a couple degrees to bring the power in sooner, but other than that, I really don't know.

The mod engines are the future, and the future looks good.

:)

Take care,
-Chris

6 bolt main and a 4 bolt main??? What are bolt mains and where are they located? i am really new to cars

The crankshaft is held to the block by Main Bearing Caps. Traditional pushrod V8's had 2 bolt mains, which meant that there was 2 bolts holding each cap on. High performance, or heavy duty engines often had 4 bolt mains, meaning there was 4 bolts per cap, for added strength. The new Ford Mod engines have a minimum of 4 bolts per main cap, and the DOHC 4.6 has 6 per. It just means it's that much better equipped to handle high power output.

Take care,
-Chris

Ok, i understand. One more thing...where are the pushrods located and when did they change to mod in the mustangs??

The camshaft is located right in the middle of the engine. In order for the lobes on the cam to open the valves, there are lifters, which ride on the lobes of the cam, then pushrods that go to the rocker arms on top of the heads, which open the valves when they pivot on their base.

Ford started using the mod engine in 1991, but the Mustang didn't see it until 1996.

Take care,
-Chris

Anyone have a picture?

of?