found a good 98 4.2l....
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2003
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found a good 98 4.2l....
Just bought a 98 F150 with the V6 4.2l engine. I did do my homework before buying this truck though. The engine was made on 04/29/98 and the truck was built in May of 98. I understand that Ford started using revised gaskets on 01/15/98. There are no reports of the revised gaskets having any problems. The truck was found at a dealer at a good price... so I bought it. I do have a question about adding mods. I have been planning on updating the air box, installing a Gibson exhaust and maybe a vacuum gauge. Although my gaskets are the revised version is it still advisable to make these changes on the 4.2 engine? Thanks… Ralan I found a lot of information about the 97-98 V6 4.2l gasket problems on www.leakingfords.com … good site….
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,704
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From: Mpls, MN
ralan,
The only inherently detrimental design issue with the 1997 and into 1998 model year 4.2L F-150s is one or both of these gaskets. If you look around or speak with people who own an engine built with the revised gaskets, you'll find these engines are very reliable and do indeed respond well to mods.
My opinions on exhaust:
I've heard that the Gibson exhaust sounds good, but for whatever reason tends to rob the engine of lower end torque. If you want to increase performance a litttle, simply replacing the stock muffler is helpful. If you want dual exhaust, a single in/dual out setup with 2.25" dual pipes works well. My truck has this setup with a Dynomax muffler.
Yes, an open airbox also helps.
You're the first person that I am aware of to bring up the use of a vacuum gauge on our trucks. Not going to be entirely useful in every day driving. If you want a gauge and have an automatic transmission, the transmission temp gauge can be extremely helpful. The 4R70W A/T is a very robust design. Your only concern with this transmission is heat.
Also: you didn't state whether or not you actually do have an automatic. If you do, considering that you just purchased the truck, you may want to change the fluid. There is even a drain plug for the toqrue converter, so you can remove nearly all of the old fluid yourself. Transmisson fluid cange.
I'm sure you have a great truck there
The only inherently detrimental design issue with the 1997 and into 1998 model year 4.2L F-150s is one or both of these gaskets. If you look around or speak with people who own an engine built with the revised gaskets, you'll find these engines are very reliable and do indeed respond well to mods.
My opinions on exhaust:
I've heard that the Gibson exhaust sounds good, but for whatever reason tends to rob the engine of lower end torque. If you want to increase performance a litttle, simply replacing the stock muffler is helpful. If you want dual exhaust, a single in/dual out setup with 2.25" dual pipes works well. My truck has this setup with a Dynomax muffler.
Yes, an open airbox also helps.
You're the first person that I am aware of to bring up the use of a vacuum gauge on our trucks. Not going to be entirely useful in every day driving. If you want a gauge and have an automatic transmission, the transmission temp gauge can be extremely helpful. The 4R70W A/T is a very robust design. Your only concern with this transmission is heat.
Also: you didn't state whether or not you actually do have an automatic. If you do, considering that you just purchased the truck, you may want to change the fluid. There is even a drain plug for the toqrue converter, so you can remove nearly all of the old fluid yourself. Transmisson fluid cange.
I'm sure you have a great truck there