My 97 4.2 has a old sewing machine sound. Do
all of these sound like this, or is something
wrong?

 

i've noticed more engine noise from my '97 v6 compared to Mudder's '98 5.4L. Sounds like excessive fan or belt noise. May just be a characteristic of a 4.2L.

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'97 f-150 XLT V6 auto 3.55 silver reg cab flareside , 6 cd, Lariat floor mats, tonneau, ground effects, tint, glasspack w/ duals, new= ion optics fog lights, cracked windshield (thanks to a dodge caravan), 16X8 Eagle Alloys, K&N air filter (thanks Mudder). Future Mods= Billet Grille, driving lights, sunroof. the heartbeat stops here.
http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8 http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/ponysix8/images/T004.wav

 

My 4.2 V-6 makes lots of noise just trying to keep up with traffic...

Seriously, though. It does seem like a noisy engine compared to others I've driven.

Mike

 

I don't know what an old sewing machine sounds like, but my 4.2L can be noisy at low RPM and high load. Kinda sorta sounds like a diesel engine. I also had a lot of fan noise, but that went away after I installed the electric fan (obviously).

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Danny
'98 F-150 Std., RC, SB, 4x2, 4.2L, 5-sp, 3.08, AC, speed control, rear slider.
Mods: Mobil 1 engine oil, Red Line MTL trans fluid, Edelbrock IAS shocks,
50 Series Flowmaster, K&N with airbox mod, electric radiator fan, Superchip

 

It's overheadcam (OHC) vs. overhead valve on the 4.2s. The 4.2s are certainly going to have more valvetrain noise...

Shoulda opted for the Triton...

 

I think there is some header noise from the 4.2. I kinda like it. It never bothered me ('98 or 2000).

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Black 2000 SC short-box XLT. 4.2 V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 Limited Slip. Side steps, CD, remote entry, factory box liner. My add-ons: Older Windstar (driver's side) wiper blade - the one with the air scoop, because I don't slow down when it rains; "f150online" sticker and snazzy Tweetie Bird floor mats.

My second of the "new" F150s. Great trucks!