Question For Van Owners

Grizz
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Grizz
Edited Date/Time 12/10/2013 2:59am
I have a question for anyone that own a van that they use for racing. I am looking specifically at an E250 5.4 V8, but feel free to comment on your experience with any van.

My question is about the engine reliability. The one I'm looking at has 250,000 miles. Other than that it's in good condition and I was told the motor is "strong".

So do any of you have vans running strong past 250k?
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Travis_Hudson 12/7/2013 11:05pm
12/7/2013 11:05pm
I have a chevy express extended and love it! Had a ford along time ago, just always hated there version of extended.....it was all off the ass end. Other than that, ford always made a solid drive train. 250,000 miles is a lot for any gas engine though.
Grizz
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Grizz 12/7/2013 11:17pm
12/7/2013 11:17pm
Yea, 250k is 250k no matter what the vehicle. My dad has never had luck with Fords so that worries me a little. I'm thinking I'll pass on this unless someone tells me they know of 10 E250's that have lasted to 350k hahahaha. They are asking half of what KBB says it's worth in fair condition, which is the only reason I'm considering it.
Travis_Hudson 12/7/2013 11:26pm
12/7/2013 11:26pm
Never know.......maybe if you can find a decent motor at a salvage yard it could be worth it if you have a motor for backup?
Jack mehoff
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Jack mehoff 12/7/2013 11:37pm
12/7/2013 11:37pm
Grizz wrote:
I have a question for anyone that own a van that they use for racing. I am looking specifically at an E250 5.4 V8, but feel...
I have a question for anyone that own a van that they use for racing. I am looking specifically at an E250 5.4 V8, but feel free to comment on your experience with any van.

My question is about the engine reliability. The one I'm looking at has 250,000 miles. Other than that it's in good condition and I was told the motor is "strong".

So do any of you have vans running strong past 250k?
I have a fleet off ford vans , you will get 350 k out off that van , that is the only motor that u can get that out off it , the things that you have to check is the front end ,take it for a ride and make sure the steering is not sloppy , front ends are about 400 in parts , alternators , drive it at night and see if the lights dim a bit as u step on the gas , and the primary over drive switch on the trans go on them , make shore you run it for a bit with the over drive switch off its on the end off the shifter and you will have a light on the dash that tells u it's off. The only other thing that goes on them is coil/ spark plug wires 60 bucks no big deal , if u do buy it find some one that has a BG trans pump and pump new fluid in with cond , if it's a 4. 6 stay away from it

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KTMBRO362
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KTMBRO362 12/7/2013 11:43pm
12/7/2013 11:43pm
I would suggest not to get the van unless you could get it for under a "G bar" (that means $1000)
Jack mehoff
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Jack mehoff 12/7/2013 11:44pm
12/7/2013 11:44pm
Grizz is it a pa van? Ask him if he ever changed the manifolds also if it's a no va or southern md van u should be alright
Grizz
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Grizz 12/8/2013 12:48am
12/8/2013 12:48am Edited Date/Time 12/8/2013 12:50am
Grizz wrote:
I have a question for anyone that own a van that they use for racing. I am looking specifically at an E250 5.4 V8, but feel...
I have a question for anyone that own a van that they use for racing. I am looking specifically at an E250 5.4 V8, but feel free to comment on your experience with any van.

My question is about the engine reliability. The one I'm looking at has 250,000 miles. Other than that it's in good condition and I was told the motor is "strong".

So do any of you have vans running strong past 250k?
Jack mehoff wrote:
I have a fleet off ford vans , you will get 350 k out off that van , that is the only motor that u can...
I have a fleet off ford vans , you will get 350 k out off that van , that is the only motor that u can get that out off it , the things that you have to check is the front end ,take it for a ride and make sure the steering is not sloppy , front ends are about 400 in parts , alternators , drive it at night and see if the lights dim a bit as u step on the gas , and the primary over drive switch on the trans go on them , make shore you run it for a bit with the over drive switch off its on the end off the shifter and you will have a light on the dash that tells u it's off. The only other thing that goes on them is coil/ spark plug wires 60 bucks no big deal , if u do buy it find some one that has a BG trans pump and pump new fluid in with cond , if it's a 4. 6 stay away from it
Thanks a bunch for the info! And the owner did tell me the front end needs aligned.


Yes it is a PA van. Maybe OH, but pretty sure it's PA. Thanks for the info everyone.
Jakes Dad
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Jakes Dad 12/8/2013 3:04am
12/8/2013 3:04am Edited Date/Time 12/8/2013 3:04am
Bought my 97' Dodge with a 3.9 for $1K couple years ago. Had to put a tranny and rearend in it, nice that the salvage yard owner and I go way back from our drag racing days. Got both for $800 and a weekend of my time. Anyway 16 mpg and will be hitting 300.000 miles in next week or so.
Tarz483
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Tarz483 12/8/2013 4:54am
12/8/2013 4:54am Edited Date/Time 12/8/2013 4:57am
I have a 1997 e150 with a 5.4 I bought recently . Mine has 135k
And I got a really good deal on it . (Less than $2000)
But while looking I saw a lot of them with that many miles and more .
The highest being 390k
. There is a guy claiming he got over a million in one . He even has a websight about it . If u google millionmilevan lol
..anyway I like em but I would expect cheap with the miles being 250k.
crf250pilot
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crf250pilot 12/8/2013 5:20am
12/8/2013 5:20am
Had a E250 myself, the 5.4 triton will run forever, but it's a dog in that 3/4ton van. I could not pull anything with mine. Good for bikes in the back and that's it.
slipdog
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slipdog 12/8/2013 6:12am
12/8/2013 6:12am
I have a '97 E350 7.3 Powerstroke, 312k, 20mph and still snaps your head back when the turbo kicks in!

I know that doesn't help you, but I love it...
Outsider
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Outsider 12/8/2013 6:17am
12/8/2013 6:17am
slipdog wrote:
I have a '97 E350 7.3 Powerstroke, 312k, 20mph and still snaps your head back when the turbo kicks in! I know that doesn't help you...
I have a '97 E350 7.3 Powerstroke, 312k, 20mph and still snaps your head back when the turbo kicks in!

I know that doesn't help you, but I love it...
Must take forever to get anywhere at that speed! Laughing Wink
Jack mehoff
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Jack mehoff 12/8/2013 6:36am
12/8/2013 6:36am
slipdog wrote:
I have a '97 E350 7.3 Powerstroke, 312k, 20mph and still snaps your head back when the turbo kicks in! I know that doesn't help you...
I have a '97 E350 7.3 Powerstroke, 312k, 20mph and still snaps your head back when the turbo kicks in!

I know that doesn't help you, but I love it...
There is a ton off web sites where they celebrate 500 k 750k and a million miles with the 7.3 that is the best motor ford/ international ever put out
Jack mehoff
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Jack mehoff 12/8/2013 6:43am
12/8/2013 6:43am
Grizz wrote:
I have a question for anyone that own a van that they use for racing. I am looking specifically at an E250 5.4 V8, but feel...
I have a question for anyone that own a van that they use for racing. I am looking specifically at an E250 5.4 V8, but feel free to comment on your experience with any van.

My question is about the engine reliability. The one I'm looking at has 250,000 miles. Other than that it's in good condition and I was told the motor is "strong".

So do any of you have vans running strong past 250k?
Jack mehoff wrote:
I have a fleet off ford vans , you will get 350 k out off that van , that is the only motor that u can...
I have a fleet off ford vans , you will get 350 k out off that van , that is the only motor that u can get that out off it , the things that you have to check is the front end ,take it for a ride and make sure the steering is not sloppy , front ends are about 400 in parts , alternators , drive it at night and see if the lights dim a bit as u step on the gas , and the primary over drive switch on the trans go on them , make shore you run it for a bit with the over drive switch off its on the end off the shifter and you will have a light on the dash that tells u it's off. The only other thing that goes on them is coil/ spark plug wires 60 bucks no big deal , if u do buy it find some one that has a BG trans pump and pump new fluid in with cond , if it's a 4. 6 stay away from it
Grizz wrote:
Thanks a bunch for the info! And the owner did tell me the front end needs aligned. Yes it is a PA van. Maybe OH, but...
Thanks a bunch for the info! And the owner did tell me the front end needs aligned.


Yes it is a PA van. Maybe OH, but pretty sure it's PA. Thanks for the info everyone.
It needs ball joints or tie rod ends you never just do a alinement on a ford van , does it have any rust behind the back wheels ? Is it extended ? How much does he want for it ?
slipdog
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slipdog 12/8/2013 7:06am
12/8/2013 7:06am
slipdog wrote:
I have a '97 E350 7.3 Powerstroke, 312k, 20mph and still snaps your head back when the turbo kicks in! I know that doesn't help you...
I have a '97 E350 7.3 Powerstroke, 312k, 20mph and still snaps your head back when the turbo kicks in!

I know that doesn't help you, but I love it...
Jack mehoff wrote:
There is a ton off web sites where they celebrate 500 k 750k and a million miles with the 7.3 that is the best motor ford/...
There is a ton off web sites where they celebrate 500 k 750k and a million miles with the 7.3 that is the best motor ford/ international ever put out
That's why I don't plan on ever getting rid of it. I've had friends, neighbors and complete strangers ask if I'll sell it, but for the 5k I paid for it, I'd be stupid to let it go.
Highsider
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Highsider 12/8/2013 7:10am
12/8/2013 7:10am
slipdog wrote:
That's why I don't plan on ever getting rid of it. I've had friends, neighbors and complete strangers ask if I'll sell it, but for the...
That's why I don't plan on ever getting rid of it. I've had friends, neighbors and complete strangers ask if I'll sell it, but for the 5k I paid for it, I'd be stupid to let it go.
What is Ridge sliding around I-80/I-90 in this week?
slipdog
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slipdog 12/8/2013 7:13am
12/8/2013 7:13am
Highsider wrote:
What is Ridge sliding around I-80/I-90 in this week?
I'm pretty sure he's currently in an extended 5.4, but that could change weekly with him. Laughing
nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 12/8/2013 7:28am
12/8/2013 7:28am
We've had a bunch of the GMC Savana 3500 extendeds, diesels and 4.8's since 1997 and they've all been excellent. All have gone 300-400k miles before being sold with no major repairs or issues. The 97 (6.5 diesel) is still going strong with over 800,000 miles on it. The engine and transmission were done around the 500k mark but it started towing a trailer daily after around the 400k mark. I drove most of the miles on the 02, same 6.5 diesel and it ran flawlessly for over 400k miles when it was sold and replaced with a new 07 (4.8L). Decided to try a new E150 and E350 this time around, got a great deal on them. One has the 4.6 and the other gas the 5.4. The E150 with the 4.6 has been a little problematic but the E350 runs great.

After spending a lot of time driving a GM and a little bit in the Ford, I definitely think that for equal money the GM has the Ford beat hands down.

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Tonycar107
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Tonycar107 12/8/2013 7:37am
12/8/2013 7:37am
At work we have 3 ford vans. All v8 gas, two extended. One has over 500k miles,the 2nd has over 300k, third has over 250k. None have had any major repairs. They all get used for carrying aircraft brakes that weigh 200 lbs a piece and it usually has around 10 each load.
ML512
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ML512 12/8/2013 7:50am
12/8/2013 7:50am
slipdog wrote:
I have a '97 E350 7.3 Powerstroke, 312k, 20mph and still snaps your head back when the turbo kicks in! I know that doesn't help you...
I have a '97 E350 7.3 Powerstroke, 312k, 20mph and still snaps your head back when the turbo kicks in!

I know that doesn't help you, but I love it...
I have an 02 e350 with a 7.3, same thing I don't wanna get rid of it. Has 180k miles on it and we changed the rear end gearing from 4.11s to 3.55s now it just purs along at 80mph, awesome for long trips!
rmzrider91
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rmzrider91 12/8/2013 8:04am
12/8/2013 8:04am
I have a 1994 E250 extended with the 5.8 V8. Has well over 300K on it and has had no major repairs and rarely sees a regular oil change. My dad bought the van back in 96 and I still use it to haul everything. About 2 years ago something got into the engine harness and chewed some wires so it has been running in some sort of limp mode ever since and still has never let me down.
Mx Hazzard 12/8/2013 8:23am
12/8/2013 8:23am Edited Date/Time 12/8/2013 8:26am
Is it the newer 3 valve 5.4 liter or the older 2 valve 5.4 liter? I've been a Ford technician for 5 years here in Ohio and we have A LOT of problems with the 3 valves. Don't get me wrong there are a lot of them out there on the road too but we have a lot in the shop. If the engine ticks at all its probably exhaust manifold leaking or worse the cam phasers go out and is an expensive repair. They also have a stupid spark plug design and its very hard to get them out without breaking the plug in the cylinder head.

A lot of the after market oil filter companies quit making the large oil filter required on these engines and use a little skinny one that bolts up. When the cam phasers open and need oil to fill the void the large filter acts as a reservoir to supply the phasers with oil. The small after market filters starve the cam phasers when they open and they end up failing after extended use.

In the end I'm not trying to dog on the 5.4's but no one has pointed out these common problems. Besides what I did mention they are very reliable and strong engines.
Bigfoot
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Bigfoot 12/8/2013 8:30am
12/8/2013 8:30am
This one is up for sale through the local police auction.

nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 12/8/2013 8:35am
12/8/2013 8:35am
Mx Hazzard wrote:
Is it the newer 3 valve 5.4 liter or the older 2 valve 5.4 liter? I've been a Ford technician for 5 years here in Ohio...
Is it the newer 3 valve 5.4 liter or the older 2 valve 5.4 liter? I've been a Ford technician for 5 years here in Ohio and we have A LOT of problems with the 3 valves. Don't get me wrong there are a lot of them out there on the road too but we have a lot in the shop. If the engine ticks at all its probably exhaust manifold leaking or worse the cam phasers go out and is an expensive repair. They also have a stupid spark plug design and its very hard to get them out without breaking the plug in the cylinder head.

A lot of the after market oil filter companies quit making the large oil filter required on these engines and use a little skinny one that bolts up. When the cam phasers open and need oil to fill the void the large filter acts as a reservoir to supply the phasers with oil. The small after market filters starve the cam phasers when they open and they end up failing after extended use.

In the end I'm not trying to dog on the 5.4's but no one has pointed out these common problems. Besides what I did mention they are very reliable and strong engines.
From what I understood the vans still used the 2valve design?
Bigfoot
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Bigfoot 12/8/2013 8:36am
12/8/2013 8:36am
mx_563
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mx_563 12/8/2013 8:54am
12/8/2013 8:54am Edited Date/Time 12/8/2013 8:58am
I've got 265,000 on my E150 but it has the 4.9L straight six (no longer available). No major issues.

My dad has an E150 with the "baby V8" (4.6L) and he's had no problems with that either.
mx214
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mx214 12/8/2013 9:34am
12/8/2013 9:34am
I've got a 2001 E350 and I love it. My buddy has had a few diffirent econolines and has had over 300,000 on all of them. The one thing about econolines is that they eat front ball joints! My buddy has replaced his ball joints more than once in the same van and I just did mine a week ago (cost me $700 at a local garage). Other than the ball joints, they go forever!
dcg141
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dcg141 12/8/2013 9:35am
12/8/2013 9:35am
I have a 99 E450 box van. I love box vans.

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