I thought I would update my earlier post. I have cleared all the codes on my 1999 F-150. I got that IMRC code. My mechanic wanted $400 to remove the upper intake manifold. I was hesitant to do so because of the cost and the fact that I have had no problems with the upper intake manifold. I was able to install the little plastic bushing without having to take off the manifold! I had to lay on the engine and have one arm around the coil and the other arm around the left side of the engine. But with patience I was able to get that little bugger in and the arm back where it needed to be. The code initially cleared, then came back. I went to Autozone and had them clear out the code and Viola! Very happy and pretty proud of myself.

 

I have a '98 F150 2wd with the 4.2 and automatic. It has about 179k on it, never apart, no issues.

 

180,ooo miles and replacing clutch and pressure plate, still going strong.

 

440,000km (273,000mi) today...

 

Bought a 2000 F150 XLT supercab with 108K on it a few months ago. I am now at 114K, runs nice. I put a new coil on it, new Ford plug wires, a PCV valve, magnaflow si/do muffler, 4.56-1 gears, serviced the trans, Fosgate 6x8s in the front doors, B&M deep pan, PML rear end cover, class three hitch, brake controller and 7 pin plug, new air filter, power steering cap, new fuel filter, new shocks and BFG Rugged Terrain tires. Still needs new upper ball joints (bought em, havent put em on yet). I am running Rotella 10w-30 T5 (syn blend) and motorcraft oil filters (due to towing a 4,000 pound camper I am over the 8500lb GVW in the 5w-20 TSB) when towing. I tow with it, haul stuff etc. Basically drive it on weekends. She's solid and uses very little oil. I get 20-22mpg on the highway with the 4.56s going 65-70mph. The 3.55s were actually a little worse- heavy truck with a V6 is a bad combination!

 

1997-1998 had the bad head gaskets. They would get around 70,000 and the motor would be ruined when it hydro locked. I believe they had a recall on them motors. The replacement gaskets were much better.

But other than that the 4.2 is a good motor IMO other than poor fuel mileage. But what fullsize truck gets good fuel mileage? lol

I've seen a 2001 4.2L F-150 with 250,000 on it and a 2000 with similar mileage.

I just bought a 2001 with a 4.2L with a busted piston only because someone left a little screw in the plenum or something and it got sucked down in. But that motor had 148,000 and when I broke the motor down it was in good shape internally other than that piston.

I'd say with good maintenance you can easily get 250,000 out of one. Maybe more.

 

You must be built like an octopus. I removed my upper intake manifold myself to save the $400-800 a mechanic was going to charge me. In my opinion removal of the upper parts of the manifold is necessary for most mortal humans to do this job. (I did other work while I was there.) I had read about the IMRC code and was planning to replace those $#(@!! bushings that fail and cause the arm to drop. I was not physically able to do so -- hands, wrists & arms just wouldn't do what needed to be done. I found I would have had to remove even more of the engine to do this preventative maintenance. So I gave up that good idea.

 

I almost agree with you. Bodies on the F150 of the 1997-2003 era rust very rapidly, and will likely prevent drivers in the rust belt from getting to 250,000 miles. My 2001 has 107,800 miles on it and the radiator support bracket inside the engine compartment is shot, causing the radiator to sag & threatening other key parts of the truck. Retail repair would probably cost over $1000. See my YouTube video
This illustrates the scope of the problem.

 

Rust, body rot, road cancer, calcium chloride road de-icers, vanishing of parts of your sheet metal in places where it's really needed, that sort of thing.

 

1997 f150 4x4 5 speed,108xxx miles , new upper and lower intake gasket,timing chain gasket,3 injectors,new maf sensor,dpfe sensor,and fuel pump

 

2000 F150, 5-speed. 298,000 plus. Replaced 1 sensor.

 

hello all im new to the ford truck scene i just bought a 2001 ford f150 with the 4.2 the odometer says it has 183008 miles on it i got it real cheep and it has a few problems but over all its a good truck if any one knows any thing about the p0171 and p0174 lean codes it would be a big help thanks.

 

I bought my 07 F150XL w/ 4.2 6, to a five speed and 3.31 rear end. 75000 miles and not a glitch. Id like a little more passing power but otherwise this truck is very good for getting around and light loads.

 

I have 120K on my 99, I just got it in June and I haven't had any problems..knock on wood. It's due it's first oil change since I've had it and I'm thinking about switching to Mobil 1, it's my daily commuter, 45 miles round trip.

 

Bought my 2002 in 2007 with 36k. Currently has 89900. 4.2 5 speed. Runs awesome.