I have been on here complaining about gas mileage,mostly because I have been hearing claims about gas mileage from my chevy "friends",anyhoo my gas mileage has significantly increased (from15to20-21mpg)don't ask me why but it has gotten much better.It also seems that power has increased as well,the funniest thing happened the other day,I was sitting at a red light, and one of my chevy buddies pulls up alongside and starts to taunt me. He was revving the engine(yes I could actually hear it rattles and all. ha)and giving me the let's go attitude. In the past I have stayed away from that sort of thing,not wanting any more fines, and not really believing in my 4.2. He pissed me off when he rolled down his window and said, WHATS THE PROBLEM,ARE YOU SCARED THAT PIECE OF JUNK CAN'T TAKE ME. That pissed me off. The light turned green, I shuved her to the floor and so did he, he managed to get one truck lenght ahead of me,and then it happened, my little 4.2 caught up, passed and kept on cruisin one..two three..four truck lenghts ahead of him, he backed off and I think I was more shocked than he was,my v6 conquered the chevy which incidentally has a 305V8 under the hood and his truck is a1997 with low miles and is a two wheel drive,whereas mine is a 4X4. Those are days we all live for.

 

With many engines you'll find that as the tolerance loosen up after/during break-in that they perform better or get better mileage. Sounds like he had lower gearing but you beat him with horse-power.

Ken Payne
Ford Truck Enthusiasts Admin

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 10-Sep-01 AT 04:09 PM (EST)[/font][p]My '98 4.2 used to run like a raped ape. It would break the tires loose when I'd stomp on it on an on ramp to an interstate. It felt alot like it had a powerband similar to a motorcross bike. My '01 on the other hand is a real dog. Except lately, the Service Engine Soon light has been on for the last 4 weeks. It has remarkable power and mileage and I'm not about to take it in.

I forgot to mention that my '98 even beat a JA in a Lexus ES300 that thought he could blow me away.

 

I would like to add i bought my 98 f-140 4x4 with the 4.2 i was worried about the performance since all i have ever drove was v-8 fords. My best friend went and bought a chevy Z71 with the modular 327 i dont know the specs on that engine but i know my 4.2 walked the dog on him he had an auto trans and i have the manual he punched his and i threw mine in 3rd needless to say he traded his truck in about 3 weeks later and bought a ford......