Quick question for anyone that can shed some light: I have a '96 GT with 160,000 km (about 96,000 miles, or thereabouts) and I go through about a half liter of oil between changes. What's the expected engine life for the 4.6 liter? How many miles can I expect to put on it before it gives up the ghost? (It'll be a shame when it does. I love the car).

 

depends on how the motor has been maintained. its not unusual to surpass 130,000+ miles on these motors. as for the oil burn, id look at the rings first.

 

4.6's are like deisels (sp) and the energizer bunny.... If you take care of it that is!

 

The most I've ever seen on a mustang was just a tad over 200,000 before she croaked..... it was an sn95, but it was the model that they put the 5.0 in it.

 

I always hear people on here say that taxi cabs have these same engines in them and some police cars. Im sure those things go for 300,000+ and run ALL day long.

But... I have a buddy with 160,000 miles on his and he runs it at the track every weekend and it is still going strong.

 

I had a 96 T-bird that made it 192,000. The motor would have gone more, but it was burning to much oil to pass a smog test, and the transmission was going bad.

 

my friend had an 89 GT with the tried and true 5.0, that thing had like 240,000 before he got rid of it, and it still ran strong, and no smoke!

 

Thanks for the info.
My 4.6 has always been looked after (Mobil 1 synthetic changed every 3,000 miles) so I'd like to get 300,000 km (180,000miles) out of it but I'm not opposed to having the rings done on it along the way if it will extend the life of the car.

 

My'01 has 135,000 miles and runs like new.

 

the main thing that seems to go on these cars with high mileage, are the rings and electrical (batteries, alternator, lots of fuses) etc. thats just my experience though.. my stang had the factory battery in it until i went F/I. It was still at 93%.

tranny work usually becomes a guaranteed issue after 130,000 miles. sooner if it was driven hard.