Well the front cover/ timing cover seal is 100% common on the 1997 to 1999 ford f150 with a 4.2 v6. My truck has 126xxx miles and runs great. Hauled a 6x12 u haul loaded down with no issues. always gets good gas mileage.
As I belong to a ford truck forum I found out the timing cover is something every 4.2 owner experienced when the truck was new. Its either never been replaced or not been replaced right. When viewed from the front of a 4.2 liter the engine leaks at the 8:00 position.
A little history on the truck, I owned a 1998 mercury car, and at 200,000 miles the engine locked up due to a clogged pcv valve. My father for my college graduation gift and one year being at my full time job as a truck mechanic gave me his mothers old car. She passed away a few years back. a 2001 Saturn with 75k. The automatic transmission was giving me huge trouble (it shocked me horribly) after going through everything and all my options I had the transmission rebuilt at 1900$. March/ april 2013, while driving with my puppy down the interstate I was passing a semi truck and the dog ran through my arms I lost control. the passenger fender of my car got hit by two semi truck dual tires, I spun out and the back end of my car hit the ICC/ crash bumper I lost steering because of my engine being moved one foot over to the drivers side and was headed straight for the median. Hit the median with a lot of force but was wearing my seatbelt the entire time. I lived with no injurys, the dog is still with me today living strong and I was very thanfull to be alive!!! Borrowed my mothers car for a few weeks and got a 1500$ loan to buy this truck for 2000$ 120,000 miles on it. I purchased the truck and redid the brakes that were GONE and repaired other things. I haven't a doubt in my mind the engine will last as long as I get that timing cover seal replaced asap. I have not a lot of extra money the entire issue is finding a friends house with a enclosed garage to repair everything. I have all the tools and experience needed. I am in the middle of trying to purchase a house now.
But yes search 4.2 timing cover leak on google you will be surprised! They all start leaking at one time or another.
Truck has new coolant in the cooling system. Distilled water and antifreeze 50/50 for a protection level of -34 degs F. antifreeze was changed when I went to stop leak the engine as I have no other vehicle to drive. I drive my girlfriends car when I can as well live together but she is a full time college student and needs her car