I don't see why everyone seems to think these motors are so bad. I couldn't be any more happy with mine. I understand that the first couple years were a little shakey, but that shouldn't make people think that its a bad engine. People say it is underpowered for a fullsize truck, but it makes more hp and tq than the motors that they replaced, and I can get 18mpg out of mine pretty easily. Thats something to say for a fullsize pickup..

 

My work truck is a 2000 F150 2WD supercab and she's got 353000km on her now, all original but tires, shocks, brakes, rear bumper, taillights, one ujoint tie rods and drivers door mirror (oops ). Looks a little rough but carries me and the dog back and forth and around the farm every day .

 

This is an interesting thread.

Just turned over 196,000 mi on the way home yesterday. Never touched anything major inside the engine - replaced the water pump this past weekend because I felt like it was time, The coolant leak that showed up a few weeks ago was coming from that overly expensive metal tube coming out of the water pump. It was pretty much 'swiss-cheesed' at the end where it goes into the pump. It's........$222 from Ford.......OUCH!! I had to get creative to stop the leak - brazing and some good epoxy!

I almost kicked myself when I realized I was still running on the original belt....same goes for the spark plugs. Yes, the factory spark plugs were still kicking after all this time, and all those miles. The gap was big enough to fly through, and the electrodes were both worn down to the size of a push pin.

Now if I can just find that oil leak.....

 

Don't feel bad about still running the original belt.
220,000 miles on mine and still looks fine.

Oh, but I have changed my plugs several times.

 

Yeah, yeah.......rub it in!


I should send those plugs to Ford. Maybe I'll get a reward or something!

 

Heard of plugs lasting that long, incredible, I try to change mine every 100 thousand, seems like a good round number . Never thought you could get that kind of milage from the belt, do your belts slip when the AC runs? Seems they don't have enough wrap on the crank pulley. I have to say I have much better luck with Goodyear belts.

 

Nah, the belt never slipped - I coated it with Stickum! J/K of course, but I never even heard so much as a whisper of a squeal.....unless of course wifey was with me, and I agreed to go to Kirkland's, and that squeal was ear-splitting!

I was amazed by it, honestly. Couldn't believe how good of shape it was in. I measured it against the new one, and the difference was almost undetectable. As for them sparklers.....I'd hate to find out the airplane I'm flying is relying on those puppies!

 

i got 170,000 miles, but is throwin a few codes and am going to replace the plenum and intake bolts to fix that right up...

i dont mean to thread jack, but has anyone rebuilt a 4.2? its the wife's truck, but i dont want to buy her a new one, rather just rebuild....

 

Archer, welcome to FTE!
Check the forum for lots of info and problems/solutions/rebuilds/etc.

Yeah, there have been a few rebuilt. Try "search" function and see what you can dig up. Glad to have you join us!

 

My ford just tipped 100K in 2011 It's a great reliable truck. I keep up with PM and I expect many more miles to come out of it

 

227,000 Hard driven miles. I guarantee not a single one of those was driven gently. Stoplight grand prix. Several trips to three bill territory. Doughnuts. Ohhhh, the doughnuts...

'Course, I pay for my sins. Mine's got rattles and knocks, no exhaust of any description and you top off the oil and check the gas before you head out.

I've NEVER had an engine last like this one. I'm still on my original belt AND plugs, (though you could drive a bus sideways through the gap), and if it weren't for ANOTHER blown starter, I'd still be off and runnin'.

I'm going to take the plunge and drop a donor from a 2005 + in it, and be sure to take some pictures. I'll be swappin' it all over, as I just put 900 bux worth of fuel system in it before it started to fall apart.

But lady luck needs to give me the money first. Broke as hell... Still... New motor and some exhaust, and we'll be back in 'da biz.

~Brave Blue Mice

 

I just rolled over 200k nothing but routine matinence, all origanl plugs wires, change your oil dont drive it like a race car and it will last forever. My family has always had v6 f150 since the 80's we finally replaced our 85 with the 99 when it came out . Ive replaced a few egr sensors but nothing major. This truck dd 60 mile round trips 6 days a week in tx summers cant beat that

 

workin in a shop you'd be surprised at how people treat there motors like ****, most folks dont even check the oil tell your screwed oil light comes on. People worried about thier giant rims or system and neglect the engine and routine matience.

 

4.2L's are a Work Horse, I have seen heres the list, I have pictures.

2000 Ford E-150 810,710
1999 ford E150 886,886
1997 385,000 F-150 Long Box
1998 460,948 F-150
1998 ford f-150 502,125
1997 ford f-150 long box 309,000
1997 ford f-150 long box 436,000
1998,f-150 300,000+


The List goes on all were work trucks!!!! all trucks were in kms

 

ALL Are Original