BS or not?
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5
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From: London Canada
BS or not?
Can someone clear up a question for me. I am shopping for a 1998 F-150 and although I like the truck I have been told by two previous owners to stay away from the 4.6L motor. One of the guys i spoke to had to replace one at 40,000miles. Id like your input on this. Are these two misinformed or unfortunate people or is this motor trouble?
Thanks
Thanks
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
BS or not?
I have a '97 F150 4X4 LWB, ext cab with the 4.6 L 'W' Engine. I just changed the engine out because of some head problems and piston problems. This engine was maintained on a "normal" schedule and had 103,000 miles on it when it developed the problems. My next one will be the 5.4L or a Diesel (but of course will be a FORD!)
YD
YD
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 32
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From: Kansas City USA
BS or not?
I had a 1994 Crown victoria with a 4.6 and sold it with 255,000 miles with no internal engine work. 1998 Grand Marque with 4.6 and 120,000 perfect shape, Its the same engine only difference is intake manifold. have a 1997 f150 same engine (4.6) but only 70,000 miles and I have no doubt it will go 200,000. It depends on how the thing was driven and maintained. Was it ever severly overheated ect. You are always going to hear negitive things about any engine but this 4.6 is the best engine I have ever owned period. I have no experience with the 5.4. 
New User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3
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From: Morgantown
BS or not?
3 weeks ago, I bought a 97 150 4x4 w/4.6 man trans., 57,000 miles. It runs great. The guy before me ran it w/93 octane and i switched to 87 with little difference in performance. I plan on putting a new exhaust system on and maybe K&N system for more oomph. The guys at the parts store i go to say they sell very few replacement parts for that engine.
js
js
New User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5
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BS or not?
5.4 is the answer. I have a 1998 F-150 Lariat 4x4 with a 5.4L with 172,000 and going strong. 200,000 will be seen next summer. Mostly highway miles; but, probably 10% off road. This truck with the 5.4 is second to none. I posted in another board some of the stuff that I have done with it. Pulled more than 30 cars, vans, and trucks out of snow banks and such. Some as far off the road as 30'. Pulled more than 2 dozen trees stumps out. Used it to tie off 100' Oak Trees that I am cutting down. Pulled a trailer with a Bobcat constantly (don't know the total weight; but, you can imagine). Moved my family from Atlanta to Illinois while pulling a fully loaded Uhaul. Driven it through the hills off road. Ran over not 1; but, 2 Toyota Camrys. I clobbered 1 and two weeks later, my 20 year old son ran over another. You should have seen the cars; but, the front bumper and tow hooks were only bent slightly on my truck.
You want a truck, buy a Ford with the 5.4. Anything else is just a toy.
You want a truck, buy a Ford with the 5.4. Anything else is just a toy.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 351
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From: Delaware
BS or not?
The 4.6 and the 5.4 are functually the same motor, just one is larger than the other. Same engine design, etc. I prefer the 5.4 for the extra power, bur reliability wise, the 4.6 is just as good.
Just my .02 worth.
Bru
2002 F150 Super Crew
Black 4X4 Lariat
5.4 Engine Ford Chrome Bars
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1979 Bronco 351M 75K orig.
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