Just crossed 325K original miles on the frame. Engine is probably around the 250K mark. Burns 1.5qts every 5K miles, with OEM 1997 serpentine belt, balljoints (they are just now squeaking), and front suspension. 3rd set of Michelin tires (about to be 4th) and I just replaced the stock 15 year old shocks last year. They were DESTROYED. Ice cold 42*F A/C. Ride is a little bumpy but for a 15 year old truck that let me down ONCE (cam pos sensor, luckily it died right in front of a Ford dealership), I am in L-O-V-E. This thing could blow up today and I would go find another (maybe look for a 4.6L though).

 

Decided to slow down....on a route I usually get 21ish mpg one way and 23ish on the way back going 65mph....I decided to go the speed limit which is 55 and this is what my scangauge read....and this is after a 26 mile trip from work to my house....tried loading pic but it wont attach from my phone but anyways it read 26.3mpg.

 

Just crossed the 200,000 Mile mark. 2003 XL 4.2 4x4 Manual purchased new.
Today I performed 50,000 mile service consisting of Plugs, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, oil and oil Filter(Oil every 5,000). The only trouble I have had is a leaking Slave Cylinder (which I had the Clutch redone the same time at 70,000) and having to Lube the Slip Yoke for the Infamous "Clunk". Very nice and reliable truck!

 

I now have 102K miles on mine. I replaced the factory front brake pads at 92K miles, with about 3/16" of pad left. Rear pads still have almost 60% left.
Did my trans pan drain at 100K miles and added the required 4 qts. of Mercon V.
Other then that and oil changes at 5-7K miles, every thing is just fine.

 

Gonna try to upload the pics from my phone...see if it works...looks like its not going to work...
also on another not I raced a 77 trans am from 0-110 and had him by about 8 cars a few weeks ago....turned out to be the husband of someone I work with...engine was a 6.6L. Ill load a pic of it when I can too.

 

My 2002 rclb XLT has 115k or so. the engine has been fairly troublefree, (Isolator bolts, IMRC bushings, idler pulleys flying off into parts unknown) but it's no powerhouse. It's not a great mileage engine either about 15-16 city 18-20 highway. I've had a stumble/misfire issue recently that turned out to be phase seperation of the god-awful E10 corrupted fuel the retards at the EPA make us use. My suggestion is we get the guys responsible for the isolator bolts and the clowns responsible for E10 and make them have a cage match to the death and then kill the survivors!

 

I had a 97 with the six in it for my first vehicle I got it with 200 000 on the clock blew it up with 286 000 on it of pure abuse


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Resurrecting this thread to get some opinions.
I have no experience with the 4.2. Just bought a high mileage 99 model F150 estended cab, 4.2 engine, 5 speed manual trans. It has been maintained very well and is incredibly clean.

I only paid for it what the brand new tires are worth. Engine is locked up. Everything else in good shape. I know the service history. My plan is to replace the engine. While the engine is out, I will install a new clutch. We will keep this truck in the family for many years to come assuming it proves to be reliable. It isn't a daily driver. I have an 88 F150, 4.9, 5 speed truck I will be selling. I have only put 7000 miles on it in 3 years. The "new" truck will be used the same way, general light hauling and as a loaner when one of my kids needs a vehicle.

I have basically two choices: 1. Reman engine or 2. Salvage yard engine. Yes, there are other options, but I have whittled it down to these two, because I can do either in a day, as I have free use of my brother's shop on weekends.

I can get a salvage motor, guaranteed to be running well (no smoke) for $900 to $1250, delivered. 90 day warranty. Mileage on the available engines is between 120k and 130k.
A reman engine is $1800 delivered. Free shipping on core return. Three year, unlimited mileage warranty. The reman engine will require me to change over the oil pan, valve covers, intake and exhaust manifolds. Not a big deal for any of that, and at least I will know it has all new gaskets and no leaks.

I know which way I am leaning. Just curious before I pull the trigger. What would you do?

 

I'd go for the reman. A used engine may not be far from having the gasket problems this engine is prone to having.

Some tips for the clutch job - use only OEM parts. If the reman engine doesn't come with a new flywheel, get a new one or get a used one bench ground. Reman engine should have a new rear main seal. Get a complete clutch kit - disc, pressure plate, slave cylinder/throwout bearing, and pilot bearing.

 

I totally agree.

I'm not fond of putting a "used/salvage" questionably abused engine in, when it takes all that time and work, then find out 10k down the road it's broke. I often treat them like parts engines, where you want a working scrap engine to take parts and use them in a pinch.

With a reman, you have a very good warranty and that little thing called piece of mind.

Being it a '99, the next plausible question might be, how's the frame? How's the body? What else does the truck need for it to be a safe, reliable ride? I know that you mentioned it, kind of... but clean might mean the body is just free of rust because of a repaint. Does it need front or rear end work... etc, etc?

Personally, if I wanted to rework my engine, and the truck in and of itself was in great shape, I'd have it built up using better parts in some areas and have an independent local shop warranty it in writing. It's still cheaper than buying a new truck, especially if the body, frame and the other major components are in great shape.

The 4.2l if taken care of and driven responsibly, should last 300k or longer (with the exception of the 97 and 98 M.Y.).

If I were in your shoes, I'd go with the reman. My opinion.

 

What is the company reman are you talking about? If it is a cheap unit say from autozone or advance, I'd look somewhere else. Just my smelly opinion! So my advice is to buy a rebuilt from a reputable company.

One reason I have that opinion is that I had 3 "GM Goodwrench" 350 engines put in my 86 Monte Carlo and they were all a pos (2 under warranty free). Chevy offered those engines as cheap replacements for OE engines. They were completely made in Mexico, even the blocks were cast in Mexico and cost $1200. POS.

 

The company is Pro Mar Engines in Paterson NJ. I had never heard of them. They are on ebay. I could not find a negative review. I did find several positive reviews. Anyone have any experience with them?

Listing here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/370977091676...ht_10311wt_880

Jasper has a warehouse right here in town. However, I have heard a few negatives about the Jasper engine. I do know a shop that installs them regularly and has never had an issue. I haven't priced a Jasper reman yet.

I get the logic of building the engine myself, having the machine work done etc. It is just a matter of the time factor. The idea of doing this in one day is appealing. I have several projects pending (the turbo motor for my old bimmer is on a stand in my garage). Waiting on parts for that one. Whichever one I get parts for first is next in line.

Thanks for the input.

The rest of the truck is in great shape. No wreck. No repaints. Been garaged. Slight hail dents on the hood. Like I said, it has been very well maintained. My brother's shop has worked on the vehicle, so I know the service history. I am sure there will be SOME unexpected repairs, but such is life with used vehicles.

 

Hmm... I've never heard of Pro Mar before either. I'd ask them how much it would cost for a built up engine. Just for the heck of it. I'd be curious what they'd throw back as a number.

As far as Jasper... stay away from them. I've got friends who has bought engines from them and had issues. Not just one engine, but a few. I guess their QC isn't as great as they so say. Even though they have a 3 year/100k warranty, you'd wind up using it.

I don't know... sometimes getting a rebuilt is the "man in a hurry" approach to fixing something, and sometimes not... depending on who rebuilds it, and that little thing called "pride" that seems to not exist hardly (well without a significant price!).

 

JASPER
http://jasperenginesnc.com/gasengines.htm

 

Went ahead with the ProMar reman engine. It is in route. Also ordered new water pump clutch kit hoses etc.

I will update (good or bad) after I get the engine in, hopefully next weekend.