I am buying a 2004 Ford Taurus tomorrow and want to know the difference between a 24 valve V-6, and 12 valve V-6...Now besides the obvious difference in the # of valves...Is one better then the other???
The 24 valve is a dual cam engine and has more power than the 12 valve engine. The 12 valve engine is a very reliable engine and is by far the most common engine in the Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable line. The 24 valve engine is the Duratec engine, I believe, and would be considered the 'performance' model. As far as fuel efficiency goes you probably wouldn't notice a big difference on the highway.
The 24 valve has 2 intake and 2 exhaust valves when the 12 valve only has 1 intake and exhaust per cylinder, the 24 would give u more power but will most likely use more gas.
The 24 Valves were marked with DOHC on the Engine and on the outside of the car.
