hi all, i just joined your site, and i like what i see so far. anyway i have always had a ford truck, and i just bought a 97 f150, and it has a 4.2 in it, the guy that i bought it from through a rod, so i thought i would just put another motor in it. well i have learned that its hard to find a 4.2. i want to know if any other size motor would fit in this truck, or should i just get a rebuilt 4.2? what do you guys think? , thanks jim

 

http://www.accurateengines.com/reman...ord/42-engine/

 

Lightning swap.

 

What he said.

 

what all is involved in a lightning swap?

 

For the love of god, don't put another sixxer back in.

 

Is the truck an automatic or a 5 speed?

Either way, I'd just put a 4.2 back in - it will probably be the cheapest option, and is not going to raise any red flags when you try to resell it someday.

IMO, if you want a Lightning, get your truck running, sell it and buy a Lightning.

FWIW, sounds like the original owner may have been a victim of the leaky gasket that caused some '97's and early 98's to fill a cylinder with water, and bend a rod on start up. That problem did not help the 4.2's reputation, but its been fixed since early '98 production.

 

dirt bike dave you know your stuff, when i bought the truck, the guy said it dropped a rod when he was starting it. and when i read what you posted it all fit together. all the ford trucks i have owned has had the 300 strait 6, and to be honest i dont know much about the newer ford motors. thanks for the info

 

my truck is a auto, OD and when i got it home i noticed antifreeze in the oil pan , so i thought the rod broke the block, but maybe it came down from the from the top, if the seal went bad. so if the block is ok, i should be able to rebuild the motor that is in it.
is there any other things i need to know about the early 4.2 motors?