We have a 97 F150 4.2 V6. Did Ford realize they had an issue with the gasket on the timing chain cover and correct the problem in subsequent years? If so, what year was a modification made? Will a later model 4.2 fit in a 97?

 

Engines built after 1/16/98 have the improved gaskets. If your engine is not hydrolocked, all you need to do is replace your gaskets with the improved gaskets. It's not just the front cover gasket, it's also the lower intake gasket.

 

I believe the timing cover and lower intake gasket problems were two different problems. The timing cover would leak coolant into the crankcase, while the lower intake gasket leaked coolant into the combustion chamber. Neither situation is good.

Lower intake gasket problem was fixed 1-16-98, but I believe the timing cover gasket problem was fixed sometime earlier than that. That being said, my '99 timing cover gasket developed a leak, but externally, not into the crankcase.