when i was looking at fords a few years ago, a ford mechanic i knew said the 5.0 was still the best engine they made for the 150. i ended up with a 250 and it has a 6.2 which is great except for gas mileage.
The 4.6 L OHC V8 was/is a POS. 1/4" (maybe 6MM) valve stems that carbon up and get sticky, then the cam followers fall off. Ford was replacing complete engines on warranty rather than do a valve job.
I have a 2015 with the 5.0 and I am very happy with it but the most I am ever likely to tow with it is a 3200 pound boat & trailer, and only occasionally at that. If I was going to tow heavier loads or more frequently I'd shop for more cubic inches.
Don't be the darkness.
America will perish while those who should be standing guard are satisfying their lusts.
They are all good, reliable, engines. Which one is best for you depends on yout wants and needs. The 3.7 Ecoboost is the best seller, and will get awesome mileage, 23-25 hwy, the 3.5 Ecoboost has the most power, and will tow the most. The 5.0 V8 is very strong, and a good option for all around use.
the 2.7 is supposed to the be most reliable, currently. the 3.5 has had cam phaser issues, if they have that fixed its a great engine. It remains to be seen if they have actually fixed that problem all the way. the new 5.0 some say burns oil. the pre 2018 5.0's where probably the most reliable of all the recent engines.
Have one with a 2.7 eco-boost one of my guys drives. We took it to Hatteras fishing right after I bought it. No issue with power. Fuel mileage is nowhere near what they claim though. I hate ford but it’s a sweet little truck.
As garddogg56 said, the 5.0 is powerful, smooth, and fuel efficient. It would be my pick were I buying a newer F150. I have an older Ford with a 5.4. It runs ok, but gets about half the mileage of the newer 5.0s.
the 2.7 is supposed to the be most reliable, currently. the 3.5 has had cam phaser issues, if they have that fixed its a great engine. It remains to be seen if they have actually fixed that problem all the way. the new 5.0 some say burns oil. the pre 2018 5.0's where probably the most reliable of all the recent engines.
2015 to 2018 5.0 were pre direct inject and lower compression. Very good engines except for the water pump. It was guaranteed to go out about 90-100k miles and not gently.
I have a 2011 ,270K miles, uses some oil, still very peppy . 365hp , if towing a lot the eco boost has more torque, Think the oil issue was corrected , some time ago on the 5.0. I am not convinced the smaller EB will hold up with a lot of pulling or lead footing it. Time will tell
Son has a 2012 ecoboost and has towed a 9000 lb trailer across the country, from California to Texas to Colorado, to Maryland. Only issue during towing was the transmission getting hot. That truck is still running strong with no issues with exception of hail damage. Insurance company actually totaled it from that hail damage, so the son bought it back from the insurance company with a clear title for pennies on the dollar. Replaced the windshield and did the necessary repairs to the topper.
He ordered a F250 which is in the build process at the moment.
I have a 2016 150 with the ecoboost. No plans on replacing it any time soon.
My 2013 truck has the 3.7 l flexfuel non aspirated engine. With 3.73 gears and 6r80 trans I bet it would tow 2 1/2 tons easily, that isn't much compared to what the 3.5 l turbo, 5.0 l or the 6.2 l can tow. Yet that 3.7 l puts out more horsepower at higher rpms than my the old 351 windsor with a four barrel. And I believe that's the trick to the 3.7 l. When you need power, it's there and you're not wanting for the lack of, in that if you really need to hit the gas petal it will drop a gear, shoot the rpms up and the next thing you know that v6 engine is putting out 300 horsepower.
Be somebody here that knows for sure, my 2016 has steel cyl sleeves in the 5.0 v-8 . I have heard they no longer do they are some kinda wonder coated aluminum. 18 or 19. The f series in 17 went to a10spd auto tyranny instead of the 6 mine has. I remember looking at a 17 and asking the sales guy what the axle ratio was and he said" don't matter it's a 10 spd" well does to me and that's why mine is 3.73 ratio.
" Cheapest velocity in the world comes from a long barrel and I sure do like them. MB "