cm~
just wanted to say thanks for your opinion. as far as those "connections" you were speaking of, I'm working on it!! If i do decided to get the heads ported and polished, it'll most likely be after the warranty is up, which will be in about a year. so I still have plenty of time . . .

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Oxford White 1998 F-150 STX, reg. cab, flareside, 4.2, auto, 3.55s, tint, Prestige alarm, Bel radar detector, Pioneer CD player, 4 Polk 5x7's, Stull billet grille and bumper insert, Flowmaster exhaust, K&N airfilter, V-Tech Tailight Covers(painted to match truck) Clear Corner Lenses FUTURE MODS: to indecisive to know for sure, but a FIPK and 2 in. shackles will be on by the end of December. GIG'EM AGGIES

 

I don't understand all the fuss over the v6 being underpowered, and having crappy gas mileage. I for one am very happy with mine. I get 15-16 mpg in the city and 18-19 on the highway. As far as the power goes, I have to ask you all is what rpm are you all shifting your trucks at? I ask this because I shift at the following rpms: 1-2@2500, 2-3@3000, 3-4@3000, 4-5@3000, and I have never had the feeling of being underpowered.

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99 F-150,XLT, Silver, 2WD, 4.2L, 5spd, RegCab, Shrt WB, Styleside.
Current Mods:Billet grille, Line-X bedliner, 5%window tint all the way around, Alpine CD w/2 MTX Subs & Rockford Fosgate 250w amp. K&N Airfilter. Glasspac w/dual exhaust exits out the back. Blue Ion Headlights.
Future Mods: Superchip, driving lights, & a custom paint job

 

I'll agree with you there Fordman. Even with the automatic, I noticed it depended on my rpm's and the amount of pressure I put on the gas to get an awesome response out my 4.2L. The power is in there, you just have to have the right touch to get it to expose itself.

 

Pony: You can always change out your gears for lower gears, that will make a noticeable difference. Pain on mpg though

 

Has anyone ever seen or can find a power/torque curve chart for the 4.2?
The 99 brochure only shows them for the tritons.

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99 F150 SC Short Box, 4.2, 5 speed, dark toredor red, light graphite interior, Westin side tubes, A.R.E. hard top tonneau, bug shield, more to add.

 

Nice to see some positive comments on the 4.2. I've been getting 17-20 MPG (mostly highway driving) and have been more than satisfied with performance. Had 1200 pounds of wet firewood in the back over the weekend and was very pleased with performance. I do have one request for somebody with a bit of spare time. I am an unlucky owner of a 5 speed without a Tach (C'mon Ford!). I would like to know the speedometer readings at 3500-4000 RPM in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gear. I've got 3.55 final drive. I'm gonna put a tach in eventually but would really like to know in the meantime. I know its alot to ask!

 

HotRodSix- Where did you get the underdrive pulleys for the 4.2? I have been looking for these for awhile now.

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1997 F-150 Blue 2wd flareside hard tonneau speed grille and bumper insert blue headlights 4wd bumper w/ fog lights

 

I'd also like to know some various RPM figures for the 4.2L.

How fast is it turning at 70mph?
What's the redline?
What's the redline speed, in mph, for each of the gears (roughly)?



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'99 XL 2x4 4.2L SC 5-Spd SC Black over Silver
Penda Liner, Chrome Tubular Step Bars, Prime Designs Bug Deflector

 

rdh4113: Me too, I'm perfectly happy with my little 4.2L. And the mods I've done made it even better. It's surprisingly quick and I get 18-21+ MPG, mixed driving (depending on the mix). To calc speed at engine RPM, go to http://www.4lo.com/
For the stock 235 tires and 3.55 rear-end, the MPH at 3500 RPM are: 21.8, 37.8, 57.1, 85.1, 106.4. The gear ratios are 1=3.90, 2=2.25, 3=1.49, 4=1.00, 5=.8, R=3.41

Peter.S: I've got a copy of the 4.2L specs, but don't have a scanner so I can't email them. If you send me your address, I can mail them to you. gaudent@qnet.com

Puddin: Have a look at: http://www.autospecialties.com/
The pulley for the 3.8L fits the 4.2L, but only for '97-'98. P/N 826300 $89.99

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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

 

Gaudenti-
Are you positive these fit fine on the 97 4.2? I am just trying to make sure. Thanks for the info also. What about the package they have with the alternator thing in it, will it also fit? Thanks again.

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1997 F-150 Blue 2wd flareside hard tonneau speed grille and bumper insert blue headlights 4wd bumper w/ fog lights

 

Can't believe i waited this long to put in my two cents here.

ROW them gears and spin that tach. My 4.2 runs just fine, thank you. It's still stock & not likely to change. I'm totally into this rig & what it takes to make it go. I shift all over the tach, as needed to coast, fly or whatever. I get 17 mpg, as long as the lid is on the bed, 16 otherwise. And i "pocketed" $1000 when i ordered the truck.

I'll second Fordman99, ponysix8, et. al.

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'99 F-150 XL 4x4 Sport Silver V6 5spd LS 120wb SS 60/40 ConvGrp Hooks Skids A/C AeroCover LouisvilleSlugger TweetieBirdAirFreshener

 

In May of 97 I bought a brand new 150XL shortbed flareside with the 4.2L with 3.55 and a auto. The only mods were 265 75 16 Firestone FireHawks, and a K&N filter. This thing was a dog. Hated it, traded it in for a minivan (wife was in the family way) May of this year I purchased a 97XLT. This one is loaded with the off road package and the 4.6 V8. I have seen the posts stating that there are 4.2's that are smoking 4.6's and even 5.4's. If this true, there was something drastically wrong with my 4.2 F150. There is not even a remote comparison between the two for me. I am truly happy with the 4.6 and the only thing that is going to get me out of this truck is the eventual need of the supercab.

 

Pony- I thought you maybe had 3.08's or something. I have 3:55's and they are great for pulling and just plain driving. I know that lower gears are ground pounders

 

Peter.S~
Last months addition of Truckin has a horsepower/torque curve for the 4.2 L. It is comparing the 4.2 before and after a 100 h.p shot of NOS was added . . .

***JaSoN***

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Oxford White 1998 F-150 STX, reg. cab, flareside, 4.2, auto, 3.55s, tint, Prestige alarm, Bel radar detector, Pioneer CD player, 4 Polk 5x7's, Stull billet grille and bumper insert, Flowmaster exhaust, K&N airfilter, V-Tech Tailight Covers(painted to match truck) Clear Corner Lenses FUTURE MODS: to indecisive to know for sure, but a FIPK and 2 in. shackles will be on by the end of December. GIG'EM AGGIES

 

Pastmaster,
lower gears? have 3.55 now. good or bad?