On some Ford’s it is the 8th digit in the VIN and you can search based on what your VIN has what engine you have. The VIN number always includes valuable information about what engine your vehicle has. Here is how it shows up on a later model 5.4l with the 3v engine. However, if it has 3v written on the air intake housing then you know it is a 3v engine. If it just says “Ford Triton” or something along those lines then you have the 2v engine. The air filter housing on a 2v Ford 5.4l won’t say anything about how many valves it has.
However, if you just see “Ford Triton 5.4l” and no mention of the “3v” anywhere then you likely have the 2v engine.
If you see “3v” anywhere on the air filter housing or baffles then you have a 3v. 3v 5.4l Ford engines is to look around the engine bay. If you have a 5.4l before 2004 likely you have the 2v version. With some exceptions, the 3v started to come into the market in the F-series trucks around 2004.
I know when I first bought my 1998 Ford 5.4l I was perplexed as to which problem I was going to be facing in the near future and how to prevent it. Is it the 3v which is known for spark plugs breaking off in the cylinder head when you remove them or is it the 2v 5.4l that is known for shooting loose spark plugs out of the cylinder head. You may be wondering which 5.4l Ford engine you have in your car and which problem you should be looking out for.