All,
I may be doing some trading soon for a '97 XL single cab longbed V6 5sp, manual 4x4. I've never owned a 4.2 truck, and I've read/heard that the motor was known for gasket/leaking issues (I'm not remembering the right description, I know). This truck does have 195k miles on it, but I know nothing of its history or how many owners it's had. I just know that the current owner says it runs fine and has no mechanical issues he's aware of. Anybody have any advice or recommendations of things to be sure to check, etc.? He did say he can get 20+ mpg with it. Thanks.

P.S. Anybody ever seen an XL with cloth bucket seats and a console? I never have before. It also appears to have carpeted floors. But no tilt/cruise. It also has the "Offroad 4x4" decals on the bed that looks a little out of place. Just seems like an oddly optioned truck. Thanks.

 

I meant to title the thread "What Do I Need to Know about the 4.2 V6?"

 

If it does have the off road package, it will have skid plates.

I'm not that familiar with the gasket issue but there was a fix and as many miles as that one has on it, I would assume it's been fixed. Other than that problem, I think they were durable engines.

 

The early 4.2 did have a hydro lock issue prior to a certain build data, unfortunately I don't know what that date was. I think glc has that info, so maybe he will chime in.

The ones with the metal plenum are just a little different than the plastic plenum units. Metal plenum have a pcv hose under the intake that can go bad. But they don't have the isolator bolt issue.

The 4.2 is a good motor my 03 went 356,000 and the only reason it quit is because of me. If I replace the cats I'm sure I could get another 100,000 out of it. 2 alternators, 4 batteries, and 1 water pump, plus the isolator bolts, so it was basically trouble free.

 

Engine build date 1/15/98. Build date is on a bar code sticker on the driver's side valve cover.

 

I had a '99 with the metal intake. Never any issues except the starter terminal, traded it at ~105k. Should've kept it.

My '07 is still running strong. Just had a couple weird quirks with it. Other than that, it's a good engine.

FWIW, the 4.2l v6 is an industrial engine that Ford Power Products used to sell.

 

I looked it up - Ford used the 300 inline 6 for their industrial engine till 2003, replaced it with the 4.2 V6 in 2004, and replaced it with the 3.7 Duratec V6 in 2015.

 

glc, right on! I forgot that the 3.7l V6 is the replacement. FPP lists it as the CSG-637.

Looking at getting a whole-house generator in the future, and I'm not sure if I want to propane (don't have NG where I live), or diesel.

If I go propane, I want either Ford engine. Either the 4.2l V6 or now the newer 3.7l V6.

 

Propane should be quieter.