The Ford 4.2-liter, six-cylinder engine was only produced during the 1997 and 1998 model years. The engine is most commonly associated with the F-150 pickup truck as a replacement for the long-used 300 cubic inch six-cylinder. As with all engines, the torque specifications must be carefully followed to avoid damaging the engine block or the component that the fasteners secure.
The cylinder head bolts must be tightened in a particular sequence. Tighten all bolts to 14 ft-lb of torque. Tighten each bolt a second time to 29 ft-lb of torque. Torque all head bolts again to 36 ft-lb of torque. Loosen each head bolt three complete turns. Tighten the head's shorter bolts to between 15 and 32 ft-lb of torque. Tighten the longer bolts to between 30 and 36 ft-lb of torque. Finally, tighten each bolt an additional 175 to 185 degrees.
Tighten the rod bearing nuts to an initial torque setting of 29 ft-lb of torque, then tighten each nut an additional 90 degrees.
Tighten all but the rear cap bolts to 91 ft-lb of torque. Tighten the rear cap bolts to 88 ft-lb of torque. Finally, tighten the brace bolts to 40 ft-lb of torque.
Tighten the flywheel-to-crankshaft bolts to within a range of 54 and 64 ft-lb of torque.
Tighten the intake manifold bolts to eight ft-lb of torque.
Tighten the exhaust manifold bolts to 22 ft-lb of torque.
Tighten the rocker arm mounting bolts to between 23 and 29 ft-lb of torque.
