Hey. I would like to know what it cost you for the rebuild since I'm having a few MINOR problems with my 4.6 like no compresson in #6 cylindar..... Thanks.

 

On my 97 I have almost 212,000 and I am not afraid to go anywhere in it. I have own 2 new trucks 1-1999 4.6 and a 01 Super Crew with a 5.4 and honestly this 1997 truck still drives like it has 30,000 miles on it. I bought it from the orig owner and he had the reciepts where he had changed the oil every 3,000 miles and I have done it as well. other than regular service, no problems with it. I know I am due, but will repair them with a smile on my face.

 

I never said to use 20w50, all I said is there is no need to use 5w20 since it can cost more and if all you can find is 5w30 which will work just as well. Like I said only reason ford went from 5w30-->5w20 is because they get slightly better mileage with it.

 

I have 160k on mt 4.6 5 speed with no major work. The trans broke a tooth of of second gear but that was it. I have a tapping noise at start up that goes away once warm. Good Luck

 

I have a 98 4.6 2x4 with 80999 miles on it as of today. It runs great only problem is that chattering sound in one of the pulleys when I crank it up thats driving me insane. Other than that no problems whatsoever, truck runs like a champ. Ive outrun plenty of dodges and silverados with no trouble, very quick and suprising truck. 4.6 + 3.55 + Ford = First On Race Day

 

I've been driving the crown victoria police package cars with the 4.6 since 1992 and I have to say I'm so impressed with the engine it was a deciding factor when I bought my F-150 with the same motor. My department is getting 120,000 miles out of the engines without an overhaul. For a patrol car that translates into about 300,000 miles because of the way their driven. I won't own anything else at this point.

 

145,000 miles- still running strong.

 

Talk about bringing back an old thread! My 97 4.6 now has almost 280,000 miles and is still trouble free. I'll also drive it anywhere with no worries. I run Castrol Sytech 5w50 oil in it. It was using a quart of oil every 900 miles on 5w30. With the 5W-50 it uses a quart every 1200-1500 miles and has for the last 30,000+ miles (7,000-8,000 mile oil change interval). It does tap when cold for a minute or so, but it has been doing that for the last 100,000 miles on days below 40F regardless of oil brand or weight used. Above 40 ish, there is some cold engine noise, but no tapping. Great engines!

 

Thats excellent, I do wonder if you have had any other major problems with the transmission or rear diff though..?
Thanks.

 

I'm sure he didn't mention it, since he either had none, or wasn't severe enough to mention. Was there a reason you felt justified in asking? Sounded like a confrontation, or a prelude to one?,,,,98

 

98SCREAMER, that looks like a prelude to a confrontation? If you would please try not to read what is not there, just like the oil thing in which I was just stating a fact. The only justification I have is--this is a forum, and he may not of mentioned the tranny or rearend cause this thread is more about the motor itself. I ask cause I am curious, not to start some confrontation. It isnt very often you seen a member with the newer model F150 with more than 250k miles.

 

Sorry, just wasn't sure. Sounded like it. The oil thing was about 20W/50 if I remember correctly? No person with a brain would dump that into a modular engine.,,,,98

 

Just realized this was the same thread, lol. If 5w/20 gets you better mileage with no engine harm, then why use anything thicker, just because you can get away with it?. I haven't switched to 5/20 myself, I am following the manufacturers specs. It hasn't died yet?,,,,98

 

The trans is all original, but the rear has caused some problems. The diff carrier bearings went bad enough to hear at 200,000 miles. I changed them myself. It only cost about $80 with gear lube. Not major to me, but it would have cost about $500 for a shop to do it (they would have changed everything). I didn't have time to change the pinion bearings, so those are still original. I'll do those and rebuild the limited slip with next gear lube change.

I do all my own repairs. I've probably spent $600-$700 in parts since I've owned the truck (repairs and maint.). The diff was the only thing "major". I changed the u-joints and center bearing at 200,000 miles. I've done all the ball joints within the last 20,000 miles (first time), put bearings in the alternator, changed 3 O2's (one is still original, never had to change the same one twice), replaced rusted out exhaust y-pipe studs, replaced the rotors 3 times, pads 4 times, rear shoes once, changed dash bulbs, replaced the worn stock steering wheel with a nice $40 Ebay one, just replaced the belt, tension, and idler. That's about it.

The u-joints are acting up again, two dash bulbs are burned out, and the lumbar is broken in the seat. It looks and drives like it has 30,000 miles (other than the drivers seat showing some wear). I'll be keeping it to 300,000+

 

To quote my reply from before to straighten out what I meant..
" I never said to use 20w50, all I said is there is no need to use 5w20 since it can cost more and if all you can find is 5w30 which will work just as well. Like I said only reason ford went from 5w30-->5w20 is because they get slightly better mileage with it."

All I am saying is it isnt a big deal whichever one you use, if you cant find one use the other, it will make little difference, that is what I was trying to say and i'm sorry for not being clear about it at first.. also this--> <-- should of been interpreted as sarcastic, so when I type something before it, and then use it, whatever was before it was most likely sarcastic. Like when I said "I shudder to think what would happen using oil that thin " It was sarcasm.

Bent6 thanks for the reply.