I recently picked up a 97 F150 with the dreaded lower end engine knock. It is extremely loud, but the oil pressure is still excellent. Is it possibly just a bent rod, and repairable? I've noticed the rebuild kits are extremely expensive. When you add a crank to the price, it is only a few hundred below the price of a rebuilt long block. What have others found then they tore their knocking 4.2's apart? Did anyone else have good oil pressure, and fix their engine without replacement?

 

first off welcome aboard.

there have been alot of rods bending on these engines due to the intake gaskets leaking on number 1 or 6 if i am not mistaken. it may just be a bent rod but you wont know untill you tear into it.