Longevity of 4.6 DOHC?

novi408 · 02-15-2002, 10:35 AM

I am looking to buy a '96-'98 Cobra and am wondering how long the DOHC motors are lasting? With my budget, it looks like I will be looking at a car with anywhere from 50,000-90,000 miles on it. Basically I am looking for a reliable car that I will be able to get at least 30-40,000 miles out of before I have to do any major work (required work anyway, who knows about voluntary performance improvements). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

02MineralGrayGT · 02-15-2002, 02:25 PM

While the 4.6s are supposedly far more durable than the 5.0s, they're still a Ford enging. Also the early 4.6s aren't nearly as strong as the new ones and didn't receive as good of ratings in terms of longevity, as the engine was still in it's experimental stages. I had a 96 GT. It ran great for 5 years, but once it hit 85000, it started running like **** in addition to transmission slippage. It may have just needed a tuneup, but I never found out. Perhaps the DOHC lasts longer.

blue00gt · 02-15-2002, 03:02 PM

What is 'it's still a Ford engine' supposed to mean? I have had 3 5.0s with varying amounts of mileage on them and drove the crap out of them and never had any mechanical problems. I have friends with over 150,000 miles on theirs without a rebuild or valve work that hardly use any oil and still run strong.
As for the 4.6s, we'll have to wait and see.

novi408 · 02-15-2002, 03:12 PM

Thanks for the replies. I have also had good luck with my 5.0 engines running very well for well over 100,000 miles. The 4.6 wasn't really new when it went into the Mustang either, so there was some development time on it.

SnakeDriver97 · 08-19-2002, 03:58 PM

I haven't had any problems with my '97 Cobra. It has about 85k on it and she's still running strong. No problems at all.

Hammer · 08-19-2002, 04:04 PM

No problems with the 98's engine block here either....

60,000 miles and half of them on the blower....

98SteedaGT · 08-20-2002, 11:38 AM

I would have kept going on the old engine, it had about 62K mi on it, would have gone longer but I drove it through water (DOH!), this new one has about 20K on it now, and it still running great.. I have seen others run well in to 100K with no probs.. A friend of mine just got a 97 Cobra and dumped 150HP+ NOS on to it, still hasn't had issues yet, I fear he will though.... I had several buddies with 5.0's run up into 180K on the same engine with no overhaul..so, it all depends on what you do and how you treat it.... With minimal or no wear, that engine would out last you, but, we have to drive so, it will go out eventually... I like the 4.6's

Drewkeen · 08-20-2002, 03:44 PM

mine just hit 90k yesterday...wow thats a lotta miles.

anyway, we have 2, 4.6L SOHC lincolns and one has over 200k with no rebuild or work and it runs fine, doesnt burn ANY oil and the engine doesnt give us any problems, the other one has 110k and its starting to ru na little sluggish, but i think a simple tune-up will fix that.

Badass_yellowGT · 08-20-2002, 06:30 PM

i have no problems with my 98 4.6 has 25000 miles on it and after 3200 miles between oil changes my oil is still a dark honey color when it`s changes

02-15-2002, 10:35 AM	#1
novi408 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Redford, MI Posts: 30	Longevity of 4.6 DOHC? I am looking to buy a '96-'98 Cobra and am wondering how long the DOHC motors are lasting? With my budget, it looks like I will be looking at a car with anywhere from 50,000-90,000 miles on it. Basically I am looking for a reliable car that I will be able to get at least 30-40,000 miles out of before I have to do any major work (required work anyway, who knows about voluntary performance improvements). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. __________________ 1988 LX Coupe, 6 pt roll bar, 408 Stroker w/ Sportsman block, TFS-R heads, GT-40 lower, sheet metal upper, Tremec TKO, Paxton Novi 2000, Paxton fuel system, EPEC, Front Coil-Overs, Tubular K-Member '03 Cobra, JLT CAI, Magnaflow catback

02-15-2002, 03:02 PM	#3
blue00gt Mustang Addict Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 1,294	What is 'it's still a Ford engine' supposed to mean? I have had 3 5.0s with varying amounts of mileage on them and drove the crap out of them and never had any mechanical problems. I have friends with over 150,000 miles on theirs without a rebuild or valve work that hardly use any oil and still run strong. As for the 4.6s, we'll have to wait and see. __________________ Strike down the unroadworthy! 2000 GT Atl. Blue: '03 Cobra motor - 465rwhp/473rwtq, T-56 6-speed, full MM TA/PH & tubular K-member suspension, Saleen body, 17" Torq-Thrust II's, M/T ET Street radials, and lots more '94 Rio Red Cobra: All the bolt-ons, 3.73s

02-15-2002, 03:12 PM	#4
novi408 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Redford, MI Posts: 30	Thanks for the replies. I have also had good luck with my 5.0 engines running very well for well over 100,000 miles. The 4.6 wasn't really new when it went into the Mustang either, so there was some development time on it. __________________ 1988 LX Coupe, 6 pt roll bar, 408 Stroker w/ Sportsman block, TFS-R heads, GT-40 lower, sheet metal upper, Tremec TKO, Paxton Novi 2000, Paxton fuel system, EPEC, Front Coil-Overs, Tubular K-Member '03 Cobra, JLT CAI, Magnaflow catback

08-19-2002, 03:58 PM	#5
SnakeDriver97 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Annapolis, MD Posts: 24	No Problems Yet! I haven't had any problems with my '97 Cobra. It has about 85k on it and she's still running strong. No problems at all.

08-19-2002, 04:04 PM	#6
Hammer AKA "Dr. Evil" Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: South Fork Ranch Posts: 1,721	No problems with the 98's engine block here either.... 60,000 miles and half of them on the blower.... __________________ Uncle Sam "What the hell is up with all the gauges? Calling Captain Kirk, your ride awaits... Phasers on stun...."

02-15-2002, 02:25 PM	#2
02MineralGrayGT Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: CT Posts: 5	While the 4.6s are supposedly far more durable than the 5.0s, they're still a Ford enging. Also the early 4.6s aren't nearly as strong as the new ones and didn't receive as good of ratings in terms of longevity, as the engine was still in it's experimental stages. I had a 96 GT. It ran great for 5 years, but once it hit 85000, it started running like **** in addition to transmission slippage. It may have just needed a tuneup, but I never found out. Perhaps the DOHC lasts longer.

08-20-2002, 11:38 AM	#7
98SteedaGT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 330	I would have kept going on the old engine, it had about 62K mi on it, would have gone longer but I drove it through water (DOH!), this new one has about 20K on it now, and it still running great.. I have seen others run well in to 100K with no probs.. A friend of mine just got a 97 Cobra and dumped 150HP+ NOS on to it, still hasn't had issues yet, I fear he will though.... I had several buddies with 5.0's run up into 180K on the same engine with no overhaul..so, it all depends on what you do and how you treat it.... With minimal or no wear, that engine would out last you, but, we have to drive so, it will go out eventually... I like the 4.6's __________________ // 1998 GT-Steeda Conversion \\ -- Sold // Now own 2001 F-150 SuperCrew 5.4L \\

08-20-2002, 03:44 PM	#8
Drewkeen Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: conyers, ga Posts: 52	mine just hit 90k yesterday...wow thats a lotta miles. anyway, we have 2, 4.6L SOHC lincolns and one has over 200k with no rebuild or work and it runs fine, doesnt burn ANY oil and the engine doesnt give us any problems, the other one has 110k and its starting to ru na little sluggish, but i think a simple tune-up will fix that. __________________ black on black 96 cobra #2593 Rice Hater's Club #54

08-20-2002, 06:30 PM	#9
Badass_yellowGT Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Western,MA Posts: 254	i have no problems with my 98 4.6 has 25000 miles on it and after 3200 miles between oil changes my oil is still a dark honey color when it`s changes __________________ Rice Haters Club Member #55 For My car Specs Click the Home page link http://www.badassyellowgt.50g.com/

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