Aren't the duratecs mazda/mazda design engines? If so, I want nothing to do with them. I had more problems with my b2200 engine wise than I could count. Additionally, aren't the duratecs considered Non-rebuildable? Again, I don't really want antyhing to do with stuff that isn't MADE to last.
The term "Duratec" is a name for the new 4-valves/cyl DOHC aluminium block engines. There are various Duratec families. The I4 originated as a Mazda design. Ford and Mazda designed the 2.3L. I think of the V6 Duratecs has some origins coming from Porsche. The other is entirely a Ford design. They are rebuildable up to the point you run out of room to bore out the cylinder sleeve, according to factory specs. People have re-sleeved them successfully, however. In any event, if you have to bore a cylinder to the point you run out of sleeving, the engine likely has been abused.
I've had several B2200's with no problems. I've known several other people that have owned them without any issues as well. The one exception was someone that insisted the engineers at Mazda didn't know a thing about motor oil and used straight 40w instead of the 10w-30 as specified by Mazda. The end result was a noisy valvetrain for several years and finally a spun bearing when he decided he needed the additional protection from a 20w-50 racing oil. In the event you want to start listing issues, let's start talking about the various annoyances found in the Cologne V6. We can start with the plastic timing gears that fall apart without warning on the 1.8, 2.0, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, and 2.8L versions, and valve steam seals that wore out at 60K miles. Cracked heads have been a problem on all versions. Coolant leaking into the crankcase has been a problem from time to time. The Vulcan hasn't had as many problems, but by the time the Vulcan came around we had better materials for valve stem seals and gaskets. I think there was a timing problem and a blowing head gasket problem in the Taurus for a few years. Over the years, the Lima has had a few problems. Note that these problems were the typical sort of problems in the past. Since we have better materials these days we don't see as many nuisances. What we see as problems today are production issues, such as the camshaft failure Toyota has with one of their engines.
Funny... I have a 2.5 Lima in my truck, and I haul lots of crap with my truck without any problem.
Nobody suggested you couldn't haul stuff with a Lima. It really doesn't take much to haul stuff. I know someone that hauled a 700lb tower over Altamont Pass with a 70-sh hp Mazda B2000. Acceleration was a bit troublesome, but the job was a accomplished.
Now the 3.0 has been around for awhile. To me it makes sense to keep it around as a base engine and to use it in cars...It never really was a truck engine, but nither was the Lima, or the 2.9, or the 2.8....they all like to be wound up a little.
I'm guessing that just about every Ford engine will be a duratec before long?
The Vulcan has been around since 1986. No, it doesn't make sense to keep it around when there are better performing engines that are lighter, have better fuel economy, and cleaner emissions.
The origin of an engine doesn't have a thing to do with being a car or truck engine. They have been swapped between trucks and cars for years. The only "truck" engines you will find now are engines produced for larger trucks.
i'm just tired of good solid reliable designs being replaced with stuff that hasn't really proven itself.
Reliability is not going to be an issue. Reliability really hasn't been an issue for new engines in the past either, excluding technological issues in the past such as crappy oil quality and junk gaskets that started leaking a year after you bought a vehicle
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The 3.0 was never an option when I or anyone else I know was looking at newer Rangers. It was either MPG with the 4cyl or more power with the 4.0. My brother has the 3.0 in his ranger and it just makes me love my truck even more. We both get the same 23 mpg highway (his is Reg Cab flareside 4x4 mine Ext cab std. side 2wd) but hook up a trailer or load the bed down and I'll get better mileage and easier towing.
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