i searched my vin number and came up with a report saying it was a SOHC V6 so i went outside and looked at my motor and it doesnt look like an overhead cam, could i have been screwed over and its realy a 3.8 with a 4.2 upper?

 

If you are reffering to the F-150, it was only available with the push-rod 4.2L V6. The 3.8L was available in Ford's car family such as the Mustang. I'm not entirely sure, but the 3.8L is also a push-rod. If you looked correctly, the 10th VIN number (engine code) should be a "2". The early 4.2L's had bad gaskets which caused coolant to seep into the engine and "hydrolock" which is basically bending the pushrods when it comes time to start the damaged engine. However, the 4.6L and 5.4L Triton V8's were SOHC. They are a bit more comlpex and require more advanced oil delivery systems (oil needs to be on the cams ASAP when the engine starts) while the push-rod 4.2L is more reliable and proven design (if you have had the hydrolock problem taken care of). It is 99.9% impossible for someone at the factory to accidentally install a 3.8 as you will notice a major power loss compared to a 4.2 and not only would the engine mount be totally different, you would notice it ASAP. And I highly doubt the 4.2's tops fit a 3.8L. Hope this helps!


-Alex

P.S: What did you use to decode your VIN? The 4.2L V6 has a VIN number (2) if the vehicle you are referring to is the 97+ F-150's.

 

Same motor (besides the obvious crank and pistons) different upper intake.

 

The 3.8 was the standard engine in I believe the 1982 and 1983 F-150. They discontinued it and went back to the 4.9 I6.

 

It's funny how history repeats itself...

 

That is the beauty of Carfax.

Errrr, Carfax sucks and doesn't beat an inspection when buying a vehicle. If it can't get this stuff right...you get the point!

My F-truck came up the same way on a Carfax, at least the freebie search, when I checked last summer. I had a 93 Isuzu truck I used the paid search on when truck shopping back in 99 and it came up as MPFI for the engine rather than the carb it really had from the factory.

I'd love to get a 3.8L Mustang convertible and swap a 4.2L in it...but I digress. Straight swap and no dealing with 4.6L COPS. Or maybe just use the 3.8L block, get the 4.2L crank and get the bore done up...decisions, decisions.