Well F-150 owners.....heres my problem
I own a 1998 f-150 4x4
in fact one of the newest ones to roll off the line in august of 97
I drive back and forth to work and have 90K miles on it. the truck has been great until this big problem has come about
seems that my head gasket blew and when I asked the reasoning about it they explained about the aluminum heads with the cast iron block and the cooling difference with it
the truck is only 3 years old and I am still in disbelief that something like this could happen.
All I am asking for is a little guidance during this....is it possible that this could happen during regular driving habits or is something wrong with the way the engine was produced
very bitter owner
Jason

 

Since someone told you that your motor has aluminum heads, that would make it NOT a V-6. Am I right? Can you post whether it is a 4.6 or a 5.4?

Have you ever had it seriously overheat at any time?
------------------
Black 2000 SC short-box XLT. 4.2V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 limited-slip. CD, remote entry, factory side steps, FORD box liner.

My third F-series: '73 F-100 Custom 240-cube 3-speed, '98 F-150 XL-SC 4.2 5-speed, and '00 F-150 XLT-SC 4.2 5-speed. GREAT trucks!



[This message has been edited by Shifter (edited 08-12-2000).]

 

It is a 4.6L
and it overheated once....it went into the red and instantly slammed back to normal
but it kept running fine and didnt do anything else

 

when you have a cast iron block and aluminum heads this just happens. The two metals just have different expansion rates when they heat up. The head gasket has two make up for this and sooner or later the head gasket will get blown.Most auto makers try to stay away from this design flaw but ford (in their infinite wisdom) seems to think that its ok to blow your head gasket.Driving habbits can effect when it does blow. If you really get on it before the motor is warmed up,you are looking for trouble.

------------------
pioneer cd,cadence ultradrive amps,eclipse mids,tweets&subs,rest is stock for now 2000 black F150 4x4 sport v-6

 

I do appreciate your reply lightning and will take into consideration
was just curious on why such a thing would happen to my baby
thanks again

 

Well it doesnt even matter now cuz they informed me that I need a whole new long block so I am purchasing a new engine for it

 

have you considered buying a 5.4?????much more hp & torque

 

well I was wondering that also
because if I had to buy a new one
how much of a difference in price is the 4.6 compared to the 5.4?