I just bought my 97 4.2 and have a few questions about some of the specs on it. It's and automatic, three, door, short bed, 2wd, can any one tell me the stock horsepower/ tourqe at the rear wheels, also what is the best kind of spark plugs are best to use and what should they and the stock ones be gapped at? its xl so i dont have a tach so does any one know what the redline is and what the revlimitor is set at? and what kind of life have you been gettin out of the engine this one i bouth only has 80k miles on (suprisingly good for a 97).
Thank you,
Thomas

 

80k Is About The Time The 97' 4.2l Hydrolocks And Pukes A Rod.

 

Click: https://www.ford-trucks.com/specs/2000_f150_1.html
Your specs are essentially the same.
Motorcraft plugs are a sure bet. (double platinum).
Gapped to .052.
I believe redline is 5500 rpm.
Click on the post at the top about using odometer in test mode. This will give you a tach untikl you turn the engine off.
I do not know where the rev limiter is set.
'97 is bad year for gasket failures. If the gaskets haven't been replaced, I'd consider having that done.
Do a google search on leaking fords and you can find a web site that gives all the details.
My 2000 model has 150,000 trouble free miles. I'd imagine yours will do the same if properly maintained and if the gaskets don't nail you.

 

thanx, BrianA, BSHORT i really do hope ur kidding

 

BSHORT is not kidding, him and Brian are speaking of the same thing.

The 97 4.2's have gasket failures, causing coolant to leak into the block and hydrolock, at which point all hell breaks loose. You're time is near, sorry to say.

Check out www.leakingfords.com and you'll learn all about it. Also use the search function in this forum to find dozen's of posts on it. Try terms like hydrolock or i even remember one that said something like "another hydrolocked 4.2"

Sorry to break it to you sniper.

Rman

 

The person who sold it to the dealership was probably a smart person on that subject, get rid of her before she hydrolocks... They may have been changed already maybe not. Either way, they Need to be changed if they haven't. So first thing I would do if I was you is take it up to the dealer and see if they can find out if they have been changed.

 

97 & 98 models did not have a digital odometer, so the test mode is not available.

 

must suck having a 97 or 98. I mean come on, with the blowing gaskets at 75K not many options....you all shoulda waited til 99...99's are the same as 03's