Can't Beat The 4.2
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,220
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From: CA
Can't Beat The 4.2
My 01' 4.2 Rcab Has Been Trouble Free Since I Bought It New. I Read About The 4.6,5.4, And 6.8 And Its Plug Popping Problems. The 6.0 With All Its Many Injection Problems. The New Modualars And Their Cam Phaser Problems, And The List Goes On... The 4.2 Is Not Known For Any Of These And Im Thankful For That. I've Been Wanting A New Truck With A Larger Engine, But I Think I'll Stay With What Works The Best. You Just Cant Beat The Reliability Of The 4.2!!
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From: Lufkin
Originally Posted by horizonhuskies
You should do a search on 97 and 98 year model 4.2's, then make that nice of a proclamation 
Garrett
Garrett
I absolutely agree. www.leakingfords.com
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Yeah, the timing cover leaking coolant into the oil pan and wreaking havoc on main bearings. Then they had the recall, that solved the leaking, but many people got new engines because the damage was already done. But my '01 I bought new and has 40k miles on it and seems to be problem free. Just keep your oil changed, man.
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My last truck was a 98 4.2.
The vehicle had 128,000 when I sold it and it still had the original plugs.
My 02 4.2 now has 84,000 and no problems.
I might have been lucky with the 98 but you have to admit that if you do your own maintance the 4.2 is a sweet motor to work on (lots of room).
The vehicle had 128,000 when I sold it and it still had the original plugs.
My 02 4.2 now has 84,000 and no problems.
I might have been lucky with the 98 but you have to admit that if you do your own maintance the 4.2 is a sweet motor to work on (lots of room).
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Centerville, Iowa
Originally Posted by Dynamike 55
My last truck was a 98 4.2.
The vehicle had 128,000 when I sold it and it still had the original plugs.
My 02 4.2 now has 84,000 and no problems.
I might have been lucky with the 98 but you have to admit that if you do your own maintance the 4.2 is a sweet motor to work on (lots of room).
The vehicle had 128,000 when I sold it and it still had the original plugs.
My 02 4.2 now has 84,000 and no problems.
I might have been lucky with the 98 but you have to admit that if you do your own maintance the 4.2 is a sweet motor to work on (lots of room).
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Trussville, Alabama
Originally Posted by Dynamike 55
The vehicle had 128,000 when I sold it and it still had the original plugs.
It shouldn't have.
But, I tend to agree. The 4.2 is an all-around good motor.
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My 4.2 has been good so far, and I hope it stays that way. I've got 68k on the clock, original everything except for the intake/muffler. Even my tires, which are almost drag radials. Real good in this stormy weather.
I've never even changed the oil yet! Just kidding. But i've never brought it in for maintainence, just change my oil every 3k or so. And it's been through some times where i've beat it like a red-headed stepchild, but she still loves me.
Gonna change my plugs when I hit 70k, should i change my wires too?
I've never even changed the oil yet! Just kidding. But i've never brought it in for maintainence, just change my oil every 3k or so. And it's been through some times where i've beat it like a red-headed stepchild, but she still loves me.
Gonna change my plugs when I hit 70k, should i change my wires too?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Trussville, Alabama
Originally Posted by 4.2manster
Gonna change my plugs when I hit 70k, should i change my wires too?
I am at 154,000 now and will change them again within the next 5-10K miles.
I prefer Motorcraft replacement wires.
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Jersey Shore
I have an '03 4.2, now it has 50K on it. Over the holidays, we took it to Florida. It was such a joy to drive down and back.
New Years Eve: We left Jacksonville, Florida at 8:30 a.m., got here to our home on the Jersey Shore that night at 11:30 p.m., in time to unpack, and for my kids to watch the ball drop.
On the whole trip, we got about 19 mpg. I'm not complaining.
I LOVE my truck.
Neil
New Years Eve: We left Jacksonville, Florida at 8:30 a.m., got here to our home on the Jersey Shore that night at 11:30 p.m., in time to unpack, and for my kids to watch the ball drop.
On the whole trip, we got about 19 mpg. I'm not complaining.
I LOVE my truck.
Neil
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I do agree that the 4.2 is an awsome motor, i've driven my gradpas 97 f150 he's old so the truck get's babied pretty good, but when ever you hear him in the gradge usally screaming about something he always says it'll never hold a bone to the ole 300 i-6 that it replaced
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I have a 2003 XLT 4.2 L and have enjoyed driving the truck. When I was shopping I walked the lot, drove serveral F150s, old vintage and new, and finally poped the hoods. By then the guy knew me pretty well, and when I saw the 4.2, I said that is the one for me. I do all my own maintenance, and couldn't imagine having any fun working on the mod motors. I can change my oil and filter while drinking a beer and need no special tools. Dang I can still see the spark plugs! True story.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: CA
Originally Posted by b2_tim
Dang I can still see the spark plugs! True story.
I KNOW, AIN'T THAT GREAT. I JUST ADDED AN 01' SCREW W/ 5.4 TO MY STABLES AND YOU CAN BARELY SEE ANYTHING IN THERE. EVERYTHING IS CRAMED IN THERE! THAT ONE WILL BE A "SHOP ONLY" VEHICLE IF REPAIRS ARE EVER NEEDED.