i've got a 4.6 with 3.73 in the rear of my truck and it's about to hit 180,000 miles....been flawless. However it has always burned a little bit of oil, but i just add a little ever few tank ups. it will bog down with a big load though...im glad my dad got the 3.73 because the 3.55 would make it impossible to pull anything

 

A 4.6 isn't enough engine for a F-250LD, but it will run forever. My son in law's burns some oil too - prolly a quart every 2k, no big deal. No visible smoke.

 

My engine, well over 200k, barely uses any oil. But it has been driven gently most of its life. One of my Sons drove it for a year, but he isn't the type for speed. I myself get on it occasionally. Once I had it up to 5k, just trying to see where the shift point to third gear is. I wish I could adjust it with the cable as in the old days. But it just goes way to long from 2nd to 3rd.
I have taken it to the speed limiter a few times.

 

Got a 1998 with the 4.6 and would not buy another one, it was ok up until around 100,000 and now I cant keep it on the road.

 

ive got two trucks, both with 4.6s both have towed vehicles on trailers, great engines for the average driver, and the occasional towing use

 

yep...but once you get to 40mph its fine....slow as a dog getting up to that though

 

I have a 08 4.6 screw and towed about 6000+ with it and it did pretty good. Granted it was only 10 miles but I was quite surprised considering the big hill I had to climb. That is also with 285/70/17 tires and 3.73 gears

 

Just about sums it up!

 

true, and I think the OP's origional complaint is trying to merge onto an inter state, where everyone else is already doing 70mph.
It does kinda suck then, but as pointed out in this thread. You buy the truck built for what you are going to use it the most for

 

Have had one for about four months after some idiot crossed the line on a bridge and hit me head on in my other truck with a 4.2. Anyways for me there's no lack power with the 4.6 and I have driven a 5.4 and don't think the extra power is worth the worth gas mileage. Just my 2 cents.

 

I'll add a comment about the durability. I've got 288k on my 4.6 in a '99 F-150. Original transmission. No serious problems yet.

 

That's about the about the mileage I've heard for the 4.6. I've always said I was going to try to get 500k on mine before I retire it. But the last couple of years it has really just been a dd, and I live only about 10 minutes from work. I don't work it much anymore, so it may never see 500K before it has to be rebuilt.

 

If you only got 100,000 out of your 4.6 someone probably did something wrong somewhere along the line. Mine broke 100,000 a little while ago and it's still running like new.

 

It's all in how you treat it, how well you take care of it, and also some luck of the draw.

 

As long as you do the proper maintenance and use Motorcraft parts, there is no reason why you shouldn't get 200,000 out of the 4.6 engine. The transmission on the other hand, might not last that long.