The Ford 4.2 V6 engine is a small displacement V6 engine that was used in a variety of vehicles between 1993 and 2010. It has since been replaced by the 3.7 Liter Modular engine, though many models still use this older engine due to its high performance and low price when compared to other V6 engines in its class.
The Ford 4.2 V6 is a popular engine that comes standard in many Ford models, including the Ranger and Crown Victoria. It’s also used in the Explorer Sport Trac, making it one of the most versatile engines available to choose from.
The 4.2L is a V6 engine manufactured by Ford for use in the F-150 pickup truck, the Explorer SUV and the Lincoln Mark VIII luxury coupe. It features an aluminum block and heads, as well as forged steel connecting rods and hypereutectic pistons. Like its larger siblings (the 5.0L and 5.8L), it uses hydraulic tappets rather than mechanical ones with pushrods to operate its valves (this allows smaller valvetrain parts).
The 4.2L shares many parts with its larger siblings; however, there are several differences between them:
- The 4.2L has a 9.5:1 compression ratio while the 5.0/5.8 have 10:1 ratios;
- The stroke is 3 inches longer on the 4.2 than on either of its bigger brothers;
Its cast aluminum block makes it lightweight enough for use in a pickup truck, while its forged steel crankshaft adds strength for use in larger vehicles such as the Crown Victoria.
The 4.2 V6 engine has a cast aluminum block, which is lighter than the iron block used in the 3.8L V6. While cast aluminum doesn’t have quite as much strength as steel, it’s still a good choice for this engine because its smaller size allows it to fit under a pickup truck’s hood and its weight savings are more important than extra strength when you’re driving down the highway at 65 mph.
The crank shaft is made from forged steel instead of cast iron like in some other engines, which makes it stronger yet also stiffer, so it can handle higher engine speeds without causing vibration or shaking. The crankshaft converts up-and-down motion of pistons into rotary motion to drive your wheels—a vital part of any internal combustion engine!
While it isn’t as powerful as the 5.4 V8 or 6.8 V10 engines offered for the F series trucks, its better fuel efficiency makes it appealing for many buyers who don’t haul extremely heavy loads on a regular basis.
If you’re looking for a V8 engine that won’t break the bank but still has some punch, the 4.2 V6 might be a good fit. While it isn’t as powerful as the 5.4 V8 or 6.8 V10 engines offered for the F series trucks, its better fuel efficiency makes it appealing for many buyers who don’t haul extremely heavy loads on a regular basis.
Here’s what you need to know about this engine:
- The 4.2L V6 was manufactured from 1997-2001 and available in Ford’s Econoline vans and F series pickup trucks (F250, F350).
- It has an aluminum block with cast iron cylinder heads and produces 220 horsepower at 5200 rpm with 300 lb-ft of torque at 3900 rpm when paired with automatic transmission options 88RFE or AODE; manual transmissions 85MMF1A/85MMF3A came standard with 15 more horsepower than automatics but slightly less torque (285 lb-ft) because of their shorter strokes; manual transmission options were also available in diesel models WTGDE/WTGE or gasoline models WBODZ/WBODH depending on year; in order to prevent overspeeding due to exhaust routing issues during highway driving speeds vehicle owners could request replacement OEM exhaust manifolds from Ford Motor Company which would allow them access higher levels of power output up until approximately 6000 RPMs before reaching redline!
The 4.2 V6’s high torque allows it to pull boats or small campers with relative ease, but its small displacement limits its hauling ability to lighter loads than its larger counterparts can manage.
If your main goal is to pull a boat or camper, this engine is a great option for you. However, if you plan on hauling heavy loads regularly, we recommend looking into the 5.0L V8 or the 4.6L SOHC V8 instead.
The 4.2 V6 continues to be used in many Ford models as of 2010 due to its relatively low price and high performance when compared to other V6 engines in its class.
It is a good choice for a vehicle that will be used primarily for commuting and light hauling, but not heavy hauling or extensive off-road driving.
Ford 4.2 V6 Engine Diagram
Ford 4.2 V6 Engine Diagram:
The engine is a V6 with 16 valves. The camshafts are driven by timing belts and the valve clearance is adjusted with hydraulic tappets. The pistons are coated with a diamond-like coating for reduced friction, improved fuel economy and lower emissions. The engine has twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT) on both sides of the engine via chains or gears so that all cylinders fire simultaneously through 36 degrees of crankshaft rotation overlap at higher speeds while firing 2 or 3 cylinders per revolution at lower speeds to produce more torque in response to driver demands without sacrificing fuel efficiency.
The block casting was designed using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), which allows engineers to test different designs before making any physical changes to an actual part. Using this method they were able to reduce NVH (noise vibration harshness) without adding weight or increasing costs by 10–15%.
Takeaway:
The 4.2 V6 continues to be used in many Ford models, including the Mustang and Focus ST. It has a high performance rating, but it’s also relatively low priced compared to other engines. It’s easy to see why this engine has been so successful; it has high torque and plenty of horsepower at an affordable price point.
Conclusion
While the 4.2 V6 engine isn’t as powerful or efficient as some of its competitors, it remains a popular option for Ford buyers who want something different from the standard V8s that are used in most pickups and SUVs. The 4.2 V6’s small displacement limits its hauling ability to lighter loads than its larger counterparts can manage, but its high torque allows it to pull boats or small campers with relative ease. The 4.2 V6 continues to be used in many Ford models as of 2010 due to its relatively low price and high performance when compared to other V6 engines in its class.