What is a Modular engine? I hear that in reference to the 4.6, is the 4.0 a Modular engine?

 

The "Modular" is the name of the 4.6L V8 It comes in SOHC/DOHC, 2V/3V/4V, Aluminum block/Iron block, 4.6L/5.4L sizes. The Modular is also called the Triton when used in trucks.

The name comes from Ford using modular tooling to manufacture the engine. It's just a name, like how the 4.0L is called the "Cologne", and the 3.8 is the "Essex".

 

Look it up on Wikipedia. I looked it up just yesterday. Basically it said the plant where the engine is made is modular, meaning the manufacturing tools can be changed out and reconfigured to build a completely different engine.

As far as we are concerned.....It means absolutely nothing.

 

When Ford introduced the engine in the 1991 Lincoln Towncar it was to be a Modular Design. There was supposed tobe a whole family of 4,6,8, and 10 cylinder 2V and 4V engines sharing parts and machinery. This would keep down production cost.
These were to be the engines of the future for RWD Cars and Trucks.

In the end only the low deck 4.6L-V8, High Deck 5.4L-V8 and 6.8L V-10 saw production.
Mostly 2V although 4V V-8's did (and still do) make production.

Of course today we have the 3V as well but this was not a part of the original plan.

 

For us, the Joe on the street, it basically means that there are certain parts we can freely switch between motors, like for example [in theory] we could put the 32 valve heads onto our 3 valve motor block. stuff like that.

How that works out in practice I can't say

 

Oh, I thought it was something unique. Oh well.

Thanks everyone.