Some confusion about Mustang V-6s leads to answers from our readers.
For years, there has been some confusion about Mustang V-6s and we are partially to blame. At Mustang Monthly, we've always tended to call the 1974-78 Mustang II V-6 the "Vulcan" V-6 based on the 3.0L V-6 used in Ford Taurus and Tempo and Mercury Sable and Topaz. It was also used in the Aerostar and Windstar vans, not to mention Ranger and Mazda B3000 trucks. The Vulcan V-6 has never been available in the Mustang.
The 1974-78 Mustang II and early 1979 Mustangs never had a "Vulcan" V-6 according to sharp Mustang Monthly readers who called us on this mistake. The old 2.6L and 2.8L Capri and Mustang II V-6s were called "Cologne" V-6s for their German manufacturing namesake. In fact, these fiercely reliable V-6 engines aren't a thing like the later model Vulcan used in downsized Ford trucks. The Cologne was spun off the Ford Taunus (not Taurus) V-4 that was also fitted into the 1962 Mustang I concept car.
The Cologne pushrod V-6 has been manufactured in the following sizes - 1.8L, 2.0L, 2.3L, 2.6L, 2.8L, 2.9L, and 4.0L. The Cologne 4.0L SOHC V-6 is the standard engine in the 2005-09 Mustang.
We hope this sets the record straight on Mustang V-6 engines.