Yesterday morning on the way to work, my work van ejected a spark plug with extreme prejudice. Sounded like a shot gun blast when it hit the body. Naturally it took the threads with it. I guess it was a pissed about working Saturday as I was.
It had just rolled over 299099 miles.
My last van threw a rod just shy of 299000 miles. I guess the magic number on a Ford 4.2 is right around 300K. Monday we'll find out what the repair is going to cost. 
All in all, it's been one of those weeks. 
That's not bad though, 300K is what I want to see from my work vehicles.
my old saab 900 had it's engine croak at quarter of million.. almost on the mark. It probably would have lived longer.. but I botched something during the head gasket and it never ran right after that
In reply to Toyman01:
They make a kit to rethread spark plug holes.. easy- piesey! Only hassle I see is access on a Van is ugh!!!!
Stripped threads? Perfect opportunity for LSx swap!
The 4.2L is a pretty tough workhorse. Iron block, iron heads and OHV are pretty nuke proof. Maybe a junkyard engine swap? V6s are pretty cheap...
