Hiya,

I just replaced my 80 F-150 Custom I6 300 (196k) manual 2x4 beast with a 98 F-150XL 4.6 V8 (65k) 4x4 manual 5 speed. My old I6 just won't die - never had any engine probs, short of a minor leak from the pan. (If it didn't smell so bad inside, I'd think about keeping it.)

My "new" baby HAS to last me 4 years. Someone told me the Tritons are nearly the most reliable engines around now.

I expect to put less than 10k a year on the truck, I don't have a fat girlfriend, I plan on no towing or heavy loads (can't scratch the ball or new bed liner!) and only a few major trips up the hill to Lake Tahoe.

I don't expect to have any probs with the engine/trannie in that time frame, but what are the most common major problems with these engines and trannies that I should watch out for?

Thanks,

MrPex

 

Just browse the post on this sight and you will get a host of info about your truck. Some have experienced problems and others not. The 4.6 is not too peppy but can be improved with different mods. Check out the threads and see what others have done. Good luck and enjoy.

 

MrPex, 4 years @ 10k per year ?
You don't ask fer much.
No wonder that '80 lasted so long.

You should have no problembo.

From what you stated, all i can advise is heavy deodorant so, you don't go stinkin' up that '98 before she's wore out.

 

Thanks fer the responses... I have been looking at many of the other posts these last two days. I know part of my truck is canuk, so I need to find out where my engine was made (engine slap).

I know I'm not askin much on the 10k per year, but I blew a big part of my savings on this baby and the rest needs to go towards tuition, not fixing her up!

Was just curious, thanks again!

MrPex

 

MrPex

You didn't mention trying to mod up your motor, so I won't go into that. With the '98 I think Ford recomends 100k on plugs. If you have original plugs in, go ahead and change those out (Bosch single electrode platinum isn't the hottest plug out there, but will be the last plug you'll need). Plug performance degrades after only 30k, but obviously the engine still runs, just not as good as it could.
Plug wire replacement is also long overdo as Ford wires aren't very good. Accel super stock won't drain your bank account and will provide much improved throttle response.

Ford coil packs also degrade fairly fast (after 50k), so those should be replaced

I have the '98 4.6 2wd and manual. I have added mods getting me to running about +90 hp over stock, and am very, very happy with the performance of this truck.

There are several boys around town here that are not so happy with the performance of my truck.

 

Well my truck has 53,000 miles on as of today and I had it a little over 2 and a half years haven't had any engine related problems yet.

 

Thanks peddler...

I am in the process of changing ALL the fluids (only diffs and transfer case left) and doing all the maintenance up to the 100k as listed in Chilton's. I wouldn't have done the plugs yet or the coil packs, except that now I have someone's advice to... thanks fer that...

As fer mods, I have the money, but don't really have the time (full time college student changing careers). I have been thinking about a superchip (been reading the posts in the mods section), but as for engine stuff, that was the only real upgrade I was thinking about.

Thanks agian.....

MrPex