Ford 4.6 Engine Specs
by Richard Rowe
Introduced in 1991, Ford's modular engine family helped usher in a new era in V8 performance. These somewhat diminutive 4.6-liter engines made up for what they lacked in displacement with high-revving power potential.
Basic Design
The 4.6-liter, modular V8 was produced with both iron and aluminum engine blocks with iron or aluminum heads. Most 4.6Ls use a single camshaft mounted on each cylinder head, which is called a single overhead camshaft (SOHC). However, some performance versions were produced with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC). The cylinder heads can utilize two, three or four valves per cylinder.
Basic Specifications
The 4.6L engine displaces 281 cubic inches, and it has a 3.552-inch bore and a 3.543-inch stroke. Aluminum engine blocks are 68 pounds lighter than iron blocks (86 pounds and 154 pounds, respectively). Blocks have a deck height of 8.937 inches and a bore spacing of 3.937 inches. Crank main journal diameters are 2.657 inches, and rod journal diameters are 2.086 inches.
Power
SOHC-head, two-valve engines are rated at between 190 horsepower for 1991 to 1993 Lincoln Town Cars and 248 horsepower for 1997 to 2010 Ford F-series trucks. SOHC-head, three-valve engines are rated at between 292 horsepower for 2006 to 2010 Explorers and 315 horsepower for 2010 Mustangs. DOHC, four-valve head motors are rated between 275 horsepower for 1998 to 2002 Lincoln Continentals and 390 horsepower for supercharged 2003 to 2004 Mustang SVT Cobras.
References
Writer Bio
Richard Rowe has been writing professionally since 2007, specializing in automotive topics. He has worked as a tractor-trailer driver and mechanic, a rigger at a fire engine factory and as a race-car driver and builder. Rowe studied engineering, philosophy and American literature at Central Florida Community College.
