So I've just recently aquired my 1997 f-150 with the 4.2L V6 motor and I was planning on selling it sometime in the future and replace it with the V8 model. However, upon a little research, I've found that stock, the V6 motor only has 10hp and 35tq less than the V8. To me, that was wonderful news. I figure that my motor is not that much less powerful than the V8, plus it'll probably be easier to work on and upgrade. Anybody else out there agree with me on this?

here's the stats I found:

4.2L V6 - 210hp, 255tq
4.6L V8 - 220hp, 290tq

 

I have a V-6. Run away, far far away from any truck that has the V-6. I wish I had a 5.4. The 4.6 in my Grand Marquis was awesome but anything as tall as a F-150 really needs a 5.4 to accelerate decent. Fuel mileage in a V-6 sucks too because it has to work so hard. I'm getting 14mpg combined..

 

Ive ran all three of those motors....go for the 5.4. Hands down! The v6 is just crap, the 4.6 is decent, but still too small (for my taste at least). My 01 F150 had the 5.4, and it had enough to get out of its own way quickly. Plus, I averaged 15 in town, 17 on highway.

Rich

 

I am new here and i read some the hatred of the 4.2 and i disagree! I have one and it is fast. Mine is stock and has the 3.55's. I drive (really fast) around in Midland, TX and mine should be feared by stock chevy trucks no matter what engine. I beat a 5.3 with many bolt onns by some much its not even funny so don't hate. it runs 15's stock. So don't hate on any 4.2 you see or here about on this site because i beat stock 5.4 with no problems (expt the Lightning)! you guys need learn some respect for what others have, it may be all they could get.

Josh

 

Thank you, Josh- wiser words have rarely been spoken here. Not everyone can afford to dump thousands of dollars into their vehicle just so it can go a little faster or sound a little better. A Mercedes is a better car than an Escort, so why doesn't everyone buy a Mercedes? Could it be......COST?! It's like the folks that put down McDonald's employees for flipping burgers. Of course, these snobs still EAT at MickieDees, don't they? SOMEONE has to flip their burgers for them, right? I don't understand people that put down others because of what they don't have. Like that somehow makes them less of a human being.

 

i agree that most everyone (bill gates types excepted) need to watch their dollars. There is also an old saying that "i am not so rich as to afford cheap products" (or to that effect). Not saying at all that the 4.2V6's are not worth buying, but to me there is great value in spending the relatively few extra $$ to get the 4.6V8. (talking now about the older 97 4.2V6's versus a 97 4.6). Glad to hear the fellow in midland has great success with his fast v6. i have a 974.6 V8, and a 2003 V6. Both trucks are excellent.

 

First thanks for the overheating tip. Second, I have the 4.2 in my '97. I average about 18 mpg. It has a 5 speed manual in it. As far as performance, no problems, I can get rubber in 1,2,and 3. I can haul a ton of gravel and not even have to slip the clutch. I have also pulled my 35' camper with it. I think it is a very good engine.

emilearl

 

I have a little problem believing that your stock 4.2 can take a stock 5.4. Perhaps the person in the 5.4L didn't know he was racing?

 

The truck that had the 5.4 rolled down his window and asked to race. I then proceeded to embarass him in front of his freinds. it looked close through 30 but i hit 2nd gear and left him really fast. there was no doubt it was a race and who the winner was. maybe he didn't know what he was doing and just gassin it in drive and not starting out in 1st like he should have. But i thought like you before the race a 4.2 against a 5.4 it sounds unreasonable but i proved to that guy next or behind me its not a joke.

josh

 

I asked because I was once on the losing end of a race that I didn't even know I was running. I quickly fixed that I was driving a 65 Fury with a bored 383 and a Torque Flight 727 tranny. It may have had a stock, unmodified, piece in the drivetrain, but I doubt it. A Camaro pulls up beside me at a light and when the light turned red, he took off. He and his buddy were pointing and laughing at the next red light. Sooo, I pushed the break as hard as I could and pushed the accelerator down about half way to load up the traction bars real good. He reved his engine a few times. When the light turned green I left him waaaaay behind. I had to wait for him at the next red light. He and his buddy were much less talkative at that point.

I miss that car.

Charles

 

All I can afford is that stupid 6. Doesn't mean I have to love it or the wussy aluminum tranny it's bolted to.

 

ok, so now that i know that for the most part, the V6 is not all that great. Since I can't do anything about the fact that I have it, what can i do to make it no so bad of a truck.

 

Drive it gently, frequently change the fluids and filters, and leave it stock so it will last a long time and be less trouble to own. Course that's no fun. I say drive moderately aggresively (don't floor it and don't shift the tranny manually), put on a louder exhaust, follow the maintenance schedule religiously. Buy a $500 beater truck built before 1979.

 

I enjoy being the bearer of good news for those of us with ( the so-called wimpy little 4.2 ) Mine is in a '97 F150 Ext.cab w/58000 miles, stock except for a K&N air filter and most V8's have to work very hard to leave it behind. It is kinda sluggish at takeoff but as soon as the RPM's get up IT ROCKS.

 

I own a 4.2. I am really satisfied with it. My truck is a 2000 F-150.
We pull our boat with it and have no problem keeping up with traffic. It is also sufficiently quick from a stoplight. Everyone needs to keep a few things in perspective. Is it better than a 4.6 or a 5.4? The answer is no. Is it able to do the job that I need it to do?
The answer is yes. I have 40,000 trouble free miles on mine and my only complaint is that the fuel milage is a little off from my fathers 4.6. Lets think about this. A comparable stock truck with a small block V8 from the early 80s would do well to have 180 horsepower. Things have come a long way in the last 20 years. I will take my 4.2 and drive and maintain it the way I am supposed to I have no doubt that it will serve me well for many years to come. That being said, there is no substitute for that V8 rumble and feeling when you stomp on the gas. As a second vehicle, (my wife gets the nice one) my v6 does just fine.