Originally Posted By: mbacfp
The article I read had quotes from someone at Ford. Main reason was ever tightening emissions. However, who knows for sure?
Hmm, for some reason I have my doubts. Higher cylinder pressures should make for higher NOx. I know the cat is there to deal with that. Maybe, maybe not.
IMHO, it has more to do with their production plant lines. Absolute wild guess on my part, but just where else do they need V8 capability? I know they sell enough F150's to justify dedicated engine lines for this powerplant; but, as a pure SWAG, gazing into a crystal ball for what happens in the future etc, wouldn't it make sense to focus on less engine types instead of more? NA seems to be getting old school now--a bit like 2 valve heads or pushrods. [Yes I know GM is holding on--good for them--but they are about the last.]
I suspect they have machines which bore and hone all 8 bores at once; and ones that do 6 at once. And ones that do cylinder head bolts all at once. Etc. Might they be looking down the road and not wanting to spend more on equipment that they can't (easily) put into V6 production, if in case market demand swings that way (if and when gas goes up in price). [You'd think V8 equipment could be changed to V6, but who knows.]
Assuming the quote is for real, that is.