Hello Group, I am a Multi certified Master Mechanic of 30 years and I am almost positive I joined this Forum years ago I guess in my old age I forgot my access so I've come back from the dead to join possibly again. I Have a 1998 F150 that we bought about 1999 with 17 K miles on it from Ford Fleet Dealer in Mobile, Al. Nothing fancy just Ac and cruise with the 4.2 It's only a few miles from hitting the 300 K mile mark. I haven't had to do a whole lot to the truck besides the normal wear like brakes and water pump, maybe an Alt. and batteries, tires. I am going to put another muffler on, I replace the OEM years ago when it rotted out and this one is in the same boat. I'll be glad to help you if I can, just please don't get mad if I ask a lot of questions you might think are not related that is how I troubleshoot . It has worked all these years and I'm too old to change. LOL Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July.

 

I've rarely heard of a 4.2 lasting that long. Seems like you've taken really good care of it. Welcome to the forum (again Lol). Got any pictures of your ride?

 

Thanks it would last a whole lot longer if the wife hadn't used it for a few weeks about a year ago. She ran it with the low oil hitting her in the face and didn't mention it until she almost didn't get home because the engine was trying to seize up about 1/2 mile from home and the fastest she could go was 25 MPH. Gotta love em. It probably wouldn't have made it home if it wasn't for the synthetics I run in it. I did some treatments and changed the oil type for a while , sort of to buff what was left of the journals and mains. LOL I was hoping to get 500 K out of it but after she did that I just feel lucky to be at 300 K. The only complaint I have is the gas mileage I could have tweaked a few things to increase it some but figured what I saved on not replacing good parts I'd spend on gas and oil then have the hours I didn't spending doing all that doing something with my kids. They are good engines it's just they have a couple of quirks and once you know those you are good to go. Thanks for the pat on the back.