'97 F-150 Available engines?

[adsm08]

Since we're on the topic of the early modulars, didn't they have a problem with spitting spark plugs out of the heads?

Just a hair bit.

Dunno about that, but they had a serious problem with spark plugs
seizing to the head, and exhaust manifolds rusting out.

No no no, the early ones you can't keep the plugs in the head, the later ones you can't get them out of the head, they all have issues with the manifolds warping.

 

[Twizzler09]

The Essex engines are powerful, but they have their issues.

The 3.8L warps head.

The 4.2L grenades the bottom end.

Grenading bottom ends? I wonder how often thats a problem.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Grenading bottom ends? I wonder how often thats a problem.

I don't think it is that big of a problem, the country is crawling with 4.2 F-150's.

I have heard of them having problems keeping their coolant where it is supposed to be, keep an eye on that.

 

[Twizzler09]

I will. Actually the truck I'm looking at no longer has the original motor. The original motor messed up a head gasket and leaked coolant into the crankcase when it had around 30k miles. The truck has a total of 86k on it now, ~54k of that is on a new motor. I definitely will be keeping an eye on coolant levels though, just to be on the safe side. With such low mileage on this truck, I'm hoping it'll last me a good long time. Afterall, the Ranger did make it to 228k miles, and the engine itself still has factory perfect compression.

 

[adsm08]

Grenading bottom ends? I wonder how often thats a problem.

I don't think it is that big of a problem, the country is crawling with 4.2 F-150's.

It's a big enough problem that I can buy a 5.4 with 50,000 miles for about the same price as a 4.2 with 100,000 at just about any yard within 100 miles.

 

[Twizzler09]

How exactly does the engine grenade the bottom end? Wondering if its a problem that can be fixed by swapping out main bearings for a redesigned aftermarket setup or something like that.

Regardless, I'm still going to end up buying this truck. Assuming everything stays on track I'll be picking it up and driving it home on the 15th of this month.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It's a big enough problem that I can buy a 5.4 with 50,000 miles for about the same price as a 4.2 with 100,000 at just about any yard within 100 miles.

So they are worth more than a 5.4 because the 4.2 is a junk engine?

Around here they are dirt cheap compared to the V8's, just like any other 6cyl fullsize.

I have never heard of one being replaced in a truck that didn't involve it running out of coolant and cooking itself, and even that isn't extremely common.

 

[shane96ranger]

I am looking for a new USA/Canada made radiator for mine (good luck), and I came across the thread on upgrading the 4.2 V6's radiator. I thought you might be interested.

http://www.f150online.com/forums/v6-engines-including-ecoboost/351408-2-row-radiator-upgrade.html

 

[Twizzler09]

Hey thanks! Might end up doing this sometime.