I have a '95 5.8L F150. I took it into the shop today to have the heater core and hoses replaced. Coolant was leaking from the heater core and the hoses have never been replaced. I've got 174,000 miles on this engine. I'm a little concerned that the head gasket may go out. Through neglect, I didn't change the coolant like I should have and so it was pretty nasty.

I'm wondering if the head gasket does blow, would it be better to have the engine rebuilt or purchase a rebuilt engine? I'm not sure if the costs are similar. Should I stay with the 5.8L or get something different? Or if I'm really feeling froggy, should I purchase a new crate engine?

This truck has been a real champ and I'm not ready to go out and purchase a new one. Let me know what you think.

 

I'd say just rebuild it as long as the head gasket is the only real problem. If you have scuffed cylinder walls and you have a lot of money might as well buy a new engine. check this one out http://www.mustangengines.com/351w_400LBS.htm if youre looking for some nice performance throw this in there.

 

I lean towards rebuilding the engine you have. A crate rebuilt is often cheaper and usually OK, but they are kinda of an unknown quantity. You don't really know how good the rebuild is, and what condition the engine was before the rebuild. Your engine is a "known" quantity and as long as no significant damage is shown during tear down, I would go with what you got. A few years back(maybe still) A lot of racers prefered old school bus engines since they had lot of miles and all stress in the block had been wrung out by then so they made for very good rebuild cores. Your engine with 174K is essentially in that class.

A good rebuild will machine or replace everything in the engine that is likely to have wornout or been damaged, so essentially you have a new engine with a "stress relieved" block.

I think it will cost you more to have a good rebuild done than a crate engine, but your truck will be all original(I assume) and I kind of have a weird preference to keep the trusy engine where it belongs. So unless you have a craked block or unusually worn major components, I would go with rebuilding your own. If you have time and money and the skill, I recommend doing it yourself, quite a lot of satisfaction in that path.

A brand new engine from the facotry is often a good deal too and probably will be better than a rebuilt crate.

Just my opinion,

Jim Henderson

 

I agree with the above post. Your block is "seasoned" and if you can do the work youself except for the machining you will save alot.
Mark