Whats the norm life span of a 4.7?

168,000 miles on mine. Of course I had to put on two remanufactured heads at 138,000. Cost me $4,000. No issues since then. Burns no oil. One head cracked, the other had a valve go through it.

TazRango said:

The interval on the timing chain is something like 250,000 miles. This engine is built to last, as long as you maintain it. And contrary to what some people say, it is NOT a sludge engine. It gets that rap from the foamy 'snot' that accumulates in the oil filler neck and cap. This is simply due to the way the PCV system is designed and the fact that the filler neck is plastic.

That said, mine just rolled 120,000.

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There actually were some cold climate failures attributed to the sludge problem from moisture intrusion. The baffle plate in the filler tube was the fix for it. Crankcases were found full of milky sludge before it.

Just never overheat a 4.7!! Aluminum and steel do not like to get overheated!!!

190K on mine and the valve seals are leaking. Other than that, it runs great. I'm probably going to pull it and put something else in it at some point, instead of spending the money to rebuild that tired 4.7.

246K and still runs like a top.

BadAxe said:

246K and still runs like a top.

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I think this speaks a lot of your maintain routine

334K miles with all original drivetrain. Original timing chains too. Driven daily.

My 2001 4.7 Dak was bought used at 153,000 miles, I am the 2nd owner. Its now at 203,000+ miles. Doesn't leak, uses very little oil, coolant use has been Leak Stopped, always starts easily, idles well, runs strong. Oil changed every 5,000 miles. Oil pump replaced at 160,000 miles when the rusted out oil pan was replaced. Good oil pressure. Never overheated. If it lasts until I retire in 1.5 years I'll get the 4.7 rebuilt or get a reconditioned long block when the Dak chassis is moved under the 1956 Dodge cab/box I just bought.

03' 211,600. Still going strong. Headers, true duals Flowmasters since 2009. Burns a bit of oil on startup. Common lifter ticking until it warms up.

I think the 4.7 is more capable than a lot of people give it credit. Yes, some issues can be improved, as I plan to do when my 2001 Dak becomes the donor chassis for my 56 Dodge pickup. Since the 4.7 in my Dak has made it over 200,000 miles I feel good enough about using an updated 4.7 in my next pickup.