4.2s not rebuildable?
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Joined: Mar 2000
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From: San Antonio, TX
4.2s not rebuildable?
I have someone at my church who says the 4.2 V6 is not rebuildable. He calls them "throw away engines" in that if the need did come for a rebuild where one would have to increase the bore, he says it can't be done. He says the "computer messes up - won't even run" if someone tried to rebuild one. I could see the EEC-V (or is it EEC-VI?) having difficulty if the engine has changed displacement and compression ratio.
Now, I haven't looked, but I bet any Ford dealer could give you a price on a Ford authorized remanufactured 4.2.
Even if the engine needed bored, aren't there cylinder sleeves available to keep the displacement and compression ratio the same?
I think he doesn't know what he is talking about; and, to top it off, he owns and operates his own auto repair shop. Of course, he may just be spewing this because he absolutely detests anything Ford.
So, for you experienced engine rebuilders - is there anything about the 4.2 that would preclude a rebuild or remanufacture? I've seen plenty of remanufactured Ford 3.8s listed over the years - isn't the 4.2 basically a stroked 3.8?
Now, I haven't looked, but I bet any Ford dealer could give you a price on a Ford authorized remanufactured 4.2.
Even if the engine needed bored, aren't there cylinder sleeves available to keep the displacement and compression ratio the same?
I think he doesn't know what he is talking about; and, to top it off, he owns and operates his own auto repair shop. Of course, he may just be spewing this because he absolutely detests anything Ford.
So, for you experienced engine rebuilders - is there anything about the 4.2 that would preclude a rebuild or remanufacture? I've seen plenty of remanufactured Ford 3.8s listed over the years - isn't the 4.2 basically a stroked 3.8?
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Of course it can be rebuilt. It is by no means a throw-away. Its unfortunate that Ford blew some gasket failures early on but once past that issue, its a good engine.
I don't want to call your friend an idiot seeing as how he was in church and all, and I can se where could form an opinion like that it a way. But rebuild it and make good use of it.
Yes it is bascially a stroked out 3.8 by and large.
The computer part is nonsense too. Some are already cranking these 4.2s out to 4.6 now and certainly aren't doing it to get a fouled up computer.
I don't want to call your friend an idiot seeing as how he was in church and all, and I can se where could form an opinion like that it a way. But rebuild it and make good use of it.
Yes it is bascially a stroked out 3.8 by and large.
The computer part is nonsense too. Some are already cranking these 4.2s out to 4.6 now and certainly aren't doing it to get a fouled up computer.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 35
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From: little elm, tx
I just had my longblock replaced, and It wasn't rebuilt by ford. I do know that it is a reman. engine. Works great. I too think these are great little motors. too bad ford gave them such a bad name from the start. (with gasket failures)
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 67
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From: Oakland CA
The 4.2 vs the 3.8
I was just down at my local dealer's service area and saw a 4.2 next to a 3.8
The 3.8 had just been pulled from a taurus.
They are different motors.
I asked for clarification on that too, the techs there said the motors were quite different, with different designs.
From what I saw and what they said, that 4.2 isn't just a bored/stroked 3.8
That aside, as far as boring the 4.2 goes, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be a problem. The mechanic you were speaking to might have been referring to plated cylinder walls or something like that, but even nicasil plating can be applied after a re-bore.
There are many shops here in the states that can do that. Perhaps that's what the others on the site here have done once they bored and stroked their 4.2 V6 motors.
Where there's a will there's a way. Here in the Land of Opportunity, you'll always be able to find a good source for what you need. Especially for your truck.
The 3.8 had just been pulled from a taurus.
They are different motors.
I asked for clarification on that too, the techs there said the motors were quite different, with different designs.
From what I saw and what they said, that 4.2 isn't just a bored/stroked 3.8
That aside, as far as boring the 4.2 goes, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be a problem. The mechanic you were speaking to might have been referring to plated cylinder walls or something like that, but even nicasil plating can be applied after a re-bore.
There are many shops here in the states that can do that. Perhaps that's what the others on the site here have done once they bored and stroked their 4.2 V6 motors.
Where there's a will there's a way. Here in the Land of Opportunity, you'll always be able to find a good source for what you need. Especially for your truck.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 67
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From: Oakland CA
3.08 2wd vs 3.08 4wd
From what I've gotten from ford and the dealerships, the 3.08 is an open differential.
There's no limited slip 3.08
That is for the rear end that comes standard with the 4.2L V-6
There might be a 3.08 for a bigger diff, I just don't know about it.
3.8 on the other hand is a different ratio altogether, I didn't know there was such a thing available for the 4.2L V-6 equipped trucks.
There's no limited slip 3.08
That is for the rear end that comes standard with the 4.2L V-6
There might be a 3.08 for a bigger diff, I just don't know about it.
3.8 on the other hand is a different ratio altogether, I didn't know there was such a thing available for the 4.2L V-6 equipped trucks.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Azle, TX
Yeah, sounds like he knows a lot of BS =) I've rebuilt some motors before(not a 4.2 yet though) and whenever you get an oversized piston it is usually a little shorter so that way the compression ratio is the same. FWD and RWD 3.8's are different blocks, the only difference between them is the water passages are different and the blocks are stamped FWD or RWD. (Used to have a '96 Cougar with a 3.8).
