LITTLEJIMMY:

Very good points! I want to add that they likelyhood for the engine to go will increase with mileage. Chances are significantly higher that it will go out soon if it has 200k than if it has 100k. So, while there is runners out there, all other things equal, buy the lowest mileage truck you can afford.

George

 

does it matter sohc or dohc as far as engine life? any mustangs with big miles?

 

I don't think SOHC vs. DOHC will make a difference, if the engines are treated in the same manner. Unfortunately, in average, I would guess the Mustang engines get beat on a lot more than your average daily driver truck.

George

 

Does driving it hard really make much difference? I bought my 97 4x4 4.6 w/ 168k it now has 191, and I drive pretty hard, haul couple thousand pound loads occasionaly, dog it in 4 wheel occasionaly. If you keep the cooling system in good shape, and keep fresh oil in it, is the additional stress of driving harder going to make huge differences?

 

I know of several Mark VIII Lincolns that have the 4V engine with close to or over 200,000 miles on them and run like a top

 

zman:

With the scenario you describe, it probably doesn't make a huge difference. But we are talking over-revs, mis shifts, neutral drops and other stupid stuff on a mustang, not driving it performance oriented within it's designed range. That said, once your head gasket is letting go, it will do so much quicker at higher combustion chamber pressures (wide open throttle and towing) than when you "baby" the vehicle.

Cheers, George

 

With regards to the heads, the previous owner of my truck(97 F-150 extended cab w 4.6) the heads also seemed to rot through,at about 160,000miles it started leaking coolant from the passenger side head,we replaced the heads with rebuilt units and that was the end of that.Hopefully Ill get another 160,000 out of it.He has it serviced everymonth by his friend at the Ford dealership, so it must just be the aluminum corroding.

 

i have a 1997 ext cab 4x4 with 4.6 256000 no problems this is tough sob i lost all the water and still made it 100 miles it ran hot 6 dif times got a new raditor and is is back kicking and screaming thought i would have to re build it but i didnt

 

Part of the reason it made it without coolant is the fact that the computer will run the engine in a special "overheated" mode, where it alternately kills 4 cylinders (no gas or spark). That means the power is down, but the air into the cylinders helps keep it cool. You can limp like this fairly far.

George

 

1999 4x4 Off-Road 4.6L, Engine is fairly reliable but short on power. Only problems I've had are axle seals on the rear axle and the spider gears wore out at about 130K. So yea the 4.6L is a solid motor I just ticked off 149,000 today, not a problem yet. I think with good maintenace any car will last a while.

 

I attended a lecture on the modular engines by the designer several years ago. I recall that he stated that the 4 cam Cobra Mustang 4.6L was expected to have an official TBO of 150,000 miles. Nonetheless, my brother has a SOHC 4.6L with about 225,000 miles on it now and it still runs like a top. It doesn't burn any oil. He has just followed the normal maintance schedule and has just used regular valvoline all the time.

 

When I bought my 97 F150 Scab 4.6 4x4 last Sept it had 170000 on the it. Currently it has 188000 on the original motor and trans. The only problem that I had with the truck was the front wheel bearing that went out at 182000, and the starter that went out at 187320. It was the original starter from my looks at it.

 

Gee, the starter only lasted 180,000??? They just don't make them like they used too

 

i had two 5.4 's at my old job that had over 350k on them

 

I feel like my 4.6 is still an infant...I'll have to post back when I reach 200k