You would be best to stay with the 4.2L V6. Good luck! 
Knocking in engine
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Knocking in engine
I have a 97 f150 4.2L V6 XLT manual transmission with 105,000 miles. Recently I went out to start my truck and it immediately started knocking. I have not driven it since other than to put it into my driveway. I was not haveing a problem before and the knocking came on all of a sudden. I do think I might have had a small coolant leak somewhere. Also white smoke is coming out of my tail pipe. The knocking does speed up when the engine is accelerated. It would be great if there was anyone in Va Beach who could come listen to it. I want to fix it myself but I worried I will have to pull the engine out. I don't have that kind of room or capabilities. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Carlton
Thanks
Carlton
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Welcome to the forum 
Sounds like it may have gotten coolant down into a cylinder and possibly bent a rod.
I would pull the plugs and turn it over to see if any antifreeze blows out of a plug hole. If so, then it will probably need a rebuild or new shortblock.
Sounds like it may have gotten coolant down into a cylinder and possibly bent a rod.
I would pull the plugs and turn it over to see if any antifreeze blows out of a plug hole. If so, then it will probably need a rebuild or new shortblock.
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I agree with LxMan1, although I don't think you need to pull any of the plugs to confirm what's going on.
You're definitely eating up water if there's white smoke. You definitely have a spun bearing or bent rod if you hear knocking.
If I were you, I'd find a clean motor from a junk yard and swap it out. You may be able to find a 5.4L & trans combination for pretty cheap, in which case that would be a nice upgrade.
You're definitely eating up water if there's white smoke. You definitely have a spun bearing or bent rod if you hear knocking.
If I were you, I'd find a clean motor from a junk yard and swap it out. You may be able to find a 5.4L & trans combination for pretty cheap, in which case that would be a nice upgrade.
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Apperentlythe wrist pins on the pistons are known to wear out on these engines. Ford knew about it and has corrected the problem for future engines. Unfortunately for me it is $2600 for a mechanic to fix it. Ouch!
Thank you for your assistance.
Thank you for your assistance.
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Bad wrist pins will not cause you to have a "small coolant leak somewhere" or have "white smoke is coming out of my tail pipe". However a serious coolant leak into a cylinder could easily bend a rod or ruin a wrist pin, but you should also have water in your oil. Either way. Ouch!
Might be worthwhile to roll the dice on a recycled 4.2 for much less than $2600. You could buy another pickup for that kind of cash!
Might be worthwhile to roll the dice on a recycled 4.2 for much less than $2600. You could buy another pickup for that kind of cash!
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Hello. I am new to this forum and don't the correct area to inquire. I have a 1998 F150 with a bad 4.2 liter V6 motor probably due to the coolant leak in the engine. I have heard a lot of talk about rebuilds and remanufactured. My question is that if I am going to replace the motor should I stay with a 4.2 or is there another size that would bolt to current transmission. Any help would be appreciated.
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Thanks KingRanchMan02. If I get the reman will that solve the problem of the bad gasket? I would hate to run into the same thing down the road.
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Ford fixed this problem around the 2000 model year. Any remanufactured engine should be updated with new gaskets. It should be a question that you ask of whoever you buy a engine through.
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I have a 98 4.6 4x4. Did a super flush on coolant and all hell broke loose. New water pump, radiator, thermostat. Now burning oil, loosing coolant check engine light going crazy. White smoke also. All that time the mechanic kept saying no signs of head gasket leakage. Now look at what I got broke motor.
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