I was taking apart a 4.2 today for a buddy and it had like 3 spun rod bearings and ever other rod and main bearing was wore down to the copper teh truck only has a little over 160 000km on it i think this motor is junk as its not a truck motor rather a bored 3.8.

 

So judge the motor by one single engine, to which you have no idea how hard or bad it was treated. Good call.

 

roger that



The 4.2 is actually a great engine IMO. I've heard more compliments than I have complaints on it. Like horizonhuskies stated, it's how hard you drive and so on that makes the difference, not the V6.

 

its not just this motor thou i was talking to some mechanics at teh local ford dealership and they say theres constant problems with theses motors even intake gastkets. There not a good mottor in a truck fords never had a good v 6 in a fullsize truck. Maybe if your only getting grocerys with it but then why have a truck?

 

Heh...And I bet you most of those engines were out of 97 machines. I think 98's too. I think its time I redo my signature, since it disappeared. Also, how good of maintainance did your buddy keep? Most people dont know diddle about how to maintain it at all. All IMHO.

Garrett

 

Talk to a mechanic and see if you can find more than a handful taht have seen a 99 and up in their shop? The only time mine has been in was not do to the engine/tranny....due to Catylitics.....after 40k on my motor, it still runs great, belt squeks a little...and will tear the tires loose in 2nd....which I need help with as that has developed a suspension problem....

 

Jimmy,put a Gatorback belt on there and your squeak will go away!

 

Will do, where can I get one?

 

Autozone.And depending how many ribs on the belt,they are like $30-$40,and worth every penny!

 

97 and 98 4.2's had all the bugs in them. 99 and on all the bugs were worked out. I could easily pull my truck with my truck as far as power goes. No problem at all! Also, my 4.2 stock can pretty much hand with the 4.6's and 5.4's. I've beat a few 5.4's already in races. I've never went against a 4.6 before though.

 

It was a early 97 all the regular maintainance was done by the local shop turns out th eoil pump has some wear to it i believe this may have caused teh problem but oil pressre was normal and consistant.

 

Take a gander at the info posted about 97's and 98's. There were head gasket issues with them, and Ford never made a recall, but it is very widely known. www.leakyfords.com Also a good reference.

Should do a lil research before you make such a snap decision. Where you even wondering how I guessed it was a 97?

Garrett

 

Huskies,no offense towards you but the 97s and some of the 98 4.2V6s did not have head gasket issues; it was the lower intake and timing cover gaskets.This site answers all your questions;
www.leakingfords.com

 

well we got it all together again now with a resized crank and new bottom end bearing i also put a new timing cover and oil pump on because when baught as a unit the oil pump was half price. The old headgaskets looked fine when i took it apart the intake gaskets ahd seen better days thou.

 

i have the 97 4.2 that my wife drives and it seems we have spun a bearing was thinking of replacing with a v8 any ideas or suggestions