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A Ford Fan
Truth be told, I am a Ford fan. But I am also not crazy…a little “out there” perhaps, but far enough from certifiable to avoid the occasional 48-hour observation at a hospital.
I Miss the Big Block FE Days
More precisely, I am a fan of Ford as a concept and of its history; Kind of like our government. I believe in democracy as a concept, and its early history is something to take pride in. However, like today’s governing bodies who “transform” policy, Ford engineers have lost their minds when it comes to designing today’s new models.
In short, I miss the simplicity (if not the mild level of aggravation a relative can invoke) that was the ideal engine made for the common man―the big block FE engine from the ‘70s; accessible, powerful, repairable, affordable…and forgivable toward DIY shade tree mechanics at their home garage.
Ford Engineers Have Lost Their Minds
That was the basic message of a recent Toyota Maintenance YouTube channel episode where the host―Peter―vents his frustration over repairs he hates to do not only because they are unnecessarily labor intensive, but also unnecessarily expensive for car owners.
Related article: Common Car Repair Mistake That Costs Owners Big Bucks Every Day
In short: Engine designs that rather than moving forward as improvements are actually a leap backward in complexity that are more failure prone and harder to repair or replace than their predecessors.
Related article: Easy Ford Explorer Electrical Problem Fix That Will Save You Thousands
Case in Point: Ford Explorer Water Pump
As an example of just how crazy engine design has gotten, the host does a show‒and‒tell comparing the differences in cost and replacement difficulty between a modern Toyota and a Ford Explorer V6 with 105,000 miles on it in need a water pump replacement.
Follow along with the host in the video posted below and discover just how bad it really has gotten and why you might want to reconsider some of the Ford models from the past 10 years.
Related article: Ford Explorer Common Problems Warning
TOYOTA vs FORD Comparing Design and Cost of the Ownership
For additional articles related to used car repairs, here are three for your consideration:
- Most Important Question to Ask Your Mechanic Before Agreeing to a Repair
- Auto Parts Store Free Service Leaves Customer Stranded
- Car Engine Repair Hacks You Want to Avoid
Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on “Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair” website, the Zen Mechanic blog and on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.
Image source: Deposit Photos
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