how many miles are fords 5.0s good for?

[soupnatizzle]

im looking into buying a new car for myself as a daily driver, ive found a few matches for what i want, 5.0 5 speed 1990 and up, and i was wondering what these engines are good for as far as milage goes.

thanks

 

[bill302]

it all depends on how the previous owners took care of the motor i have a 95 5.0 with 140,000 miles it does not burn or leak oil and it runs 13.4 at the track with a 90 shot of nitrous i have seen similar times and motors as mine with 160,000 -190,000 miles on them....its all in the maint...

 

[sgarlic]

I agree with the above poster. I've heard of 5.0's going easily over 200,000 miles with proper maintenance, and I've also personally seen 5.0's lose compression, smoke, etc, if they aren't maintained. Using a quality oil and following a good change schedule, along with coolant flushes, filters, etc, and you can get a ton of life from them.

 

[retro50]

I had one I took out at 211,000 miles. Still ran awesome just used a quart of oil every 1000 miles and did not smoke at all. For me that was every two weeks as I drive 500 miles a week. I got tired of putting a quart of oil in every two weeks. Put in another 5.0L that I built and drove the car another 60,000 miles until it rotted out. Still have the 2nd motor and will use it in my 88 G.T.

 

[Venom351R]

I had 120,000+ Miles in my 95 GT w/ a Supercharger on it for 2 summers and many track trips and it never burnt oil or had any issues. As long as it is well taken care of they will last quite awhile.

 

[Adams91LX]

im up to 150k all original motor and trans...

 

[bill302]

im up to 150k all original motor and trans...

now the tranny (t-5) is another question they can last 200,000 miles too if they dont get beat on but if you runem hard the tranny is the weak link....thats why i have a tremec tko500 and a pro 5.0 shifter...

 

[jrichker]

I have 279,000+ miles - second engine , second transmission, second rear axle (my fault - I didn't check the lube), third clutch assembly & 1 complete brake overhaul.

The original T5 & clutch assembly lasted 163,000 miles (3rd gear synco shot) and the original engine 183,000 miles (oil consuption 1 quart every 500-750 miles).

 

[865.0HO]

My LX has shy of 238K, as far as I know the valve cover haven't been off the engine--yes they leak, I will change them soon. Car still runs strong and doesn't smoke.

My GT just turn 211k, runs very strong, only a light puff of blue smoke in the morning. Uses a quart of oil every 1200miles. As far as I know the trans and rear end have never been touched. I bought the car w/128k on it and haven't done anything except change the oil, and install a few bolt-ons and exhaust.

 

[Darkwriter77]

Mine sounds about along the norm, judging by the above. My '89 notch uses a quart about every 1000 miles, as well, and my '90 Town Car only uses one quart between oil changes. I get a light puff of blue smoke occasionally when I really romp on the notch, but the Lincoln doesn't smoke at all ... although the lifters have been a little noisy for over a year now (but haven't worsened at all).

My notch has about 255k on it now, had a rebuild somewhere around 150k - the original owner didn't flagrantly abuse it, but he did race it, apparently ... and the kid that had it for 6 months after him and before me just beat the holy hell out of it - and it was converted from AOD to a T-5 at about the same time, so I've got about 100k on both items. I've replaced just about every sensor and emissions control item under the hood, fuel injectors, exhaust, etc. ... but the block, heads, and intake are still the originals with just a rebuild (don't know if the original owner bored out the cylinders at all or just cleaned 'em up and put in stock-sized rings). Runs like a raped ape with no signs at all of quitting anytime soon.

The Town Car, on the other hand, has about 205k on it now, and it is 100% bone stock, all original (motor, tranny, and rear end), and the intake plenum hadn't even been off EVER until about 195k when I replaced the leaky valve cover gaskets. I'm sure it's easily got another 25 to 50k left in it before the motor, itself craps out; the AOD shifts fine and all, but I'm sure it'll be the first item to die out before it sees 250k miles. Not that I care, anyway, since my ex is selling it in February when she leaves the country...

As far as longevity, I'd say the 5.0 rates pretty far above the norm, just so long as you give them proper care and feeding and don't abuse them like a psycho. Still, I'd probably put a 4.6 a few notches above the 5.0 in the long-run ratings, as I've seen those things top 300k in patrol cars and taxis without needing bearings or a re-ring (although the valve seals do tend to leak at around 100k on the '91 to '98 model 4.6's).

 

[TENGRAM]

189k on mine and i abuse it regularly. doesn't "use" any oil but it does have a tiny little drip worth about 1/2 quart in between oil changes. no smoke ever and still good compression.

FTW, mobil 1

 

[Sicarius428]

Really depends on how it was driven and how well it was maintained. I bought my 5.0 with a blown head gasket and it had 130k on it... My friend's head gaskets blew at 150K but all considering both cars were driven pretty hard.
Kevin

 

[Modular2v]

my 88 lx had 217,000 miles on it.....orginal EVERYTHING except mufflers ( stock 02 gt mufflers) I was still on the orginal AOD and waterpump!!!!!!!!!! Pulled it all apart and turned it into a 331, g force 5speed, carbed car! haha

 

[donsbad68]

1 bizillion miles

 

[SVTFreak]

Ive got 175k on mine and it runs strong and no smoke, no oil burn. It was well taken care of when i got it and still is well maintained.

Ive heard before that its a good idea/insurance to replace the timing chain around 100 to 150kish to prevent jumping a tooth, but havnt personally seen any issues with anyone i know. Jumping one tooth will just make it run like ****. Jumping 2 could cause serious engine damage, so its up to you and what you want to chance.

 

[90_Red_LX]

I've heard of someone runnin 300k stock bottom ends at the track on slicks and still holding.

As for myn it has 106k on it, the only thing it needed other than the obvious like oil changes, brakes etc. is a thermostat, MAYBE a waterpump (not sure if it was replaced) and a heater core. The ONLY reason the intake was off the car was to swap it for another one. The valvecovers down have never been taken off. The car is rock solid reliable, just I made a mistake somewhere on the install and it leaks a little antifreeze. But by god I wouldn't hesitate to take that car anywhere. At oil change time it's a little low, but nothing serious.