Blown rod - worth it to replace engine?
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge
Blown rod - worth it to replace engine?
2003 Limited V10, 211k miles,
- Got a call from my son yesterday, he said it started making a loud clunky noise, it stopped accelerating and then smoke came out from under the hood. He luckily was able to pull off into the top of a turn lane. I arrived to find a large puddle of oil under the truck, with oil dripping from the back passenger side of the engine. On further questioning, he did say a check gauge light was on. I checked the oil a few weeks ago and it was fine, haven't had any oil burning between changes really. Anyway long story short - there's a hole in the block the size of my fist. Looking around at a few reman engines - it looks like to will cost between 3800$ - 5k (and probably wont get a core refund due to the big ol' hole). installation will probably cost another 3 grand where I live.
I look around on craigslist and see other Ex's listed for ~10k (gas trucks - all the diesels seem to be 18-22k!) for trucks that have rust or torn up interiors. Should I fix it (I probably could R&R the engine myself, but I would have to move my 82 245 Wagon and 73 MGB to storage to make enough room). What's it's worth with a blown engine?
I've got a 2019 expedition - it will tow my current travel trailer - the local dealer offered me 15k more than I owe on it to sell it to them. I was planning to use the Excursion just for towing, and then get my son a more fuel-efficient car since he will be off to college next year, and I don't want to pay for gas for his 99 Mazda B4000(ranger) which gets at best 15mpg, but now I don't know what to do.
- Got a call from my son yesterday, he said it started making a loud clunky noise, it stopped accelerating and then smoke came out from under the hood. He luckily was able to pull off into the top of a turn lane. I arrived to find a large puddle of oil under the truck, with oil dripping from the back passenger side of the engine. On further questioning, he did say a check gauge light was on. I checked the oil a few weeks ago and it was fine, haven't had any oil burning between changes really. Anyway long story short - there's a hole in the block the size of my fist. Looking around at a few reman engines - it looks like to will cost between 3800$ - 5k (and probably wont get a core refund due to the big ol' hole). installation will probably cost another 3 grand where I live.
I look around on craigslist and see other Ex's listed for ~10k (gas trucks - all the diesels seem to be 18-22k!) for trucks that have rust or torn up interiors. Should I fix it (I probably could R&R the engine myself, but I would have to move my 82 245 Wagon and 73 MGB to storage to make enough room). What's it's worth with a blown engine?
I've got a 2019 expedition - it will tow my current travel trailer - the local dealer offered me 15k more than I owe on it to sell it to them. I was planning to use the Excursion just for towing, and then get my son a more fuel-efficient car since he will be off to college next year, and I don't want to pay for gas for his 99 Mazda B4000(ranger) which gets at best 15mpg, but now I don't know what to do.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 533
Likes: 78
You will be spending about what the excursion is worth to get it fixed. I think that you should stick to the plan and use the your current vehicle to tow and get a fuel efficient one for now. I think it is worth fixing for someone but that leaves the decision to keep or sale the carcass...
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge
It is a 20 year old truck with 200k miles. It's certainly not a garage-kept princess. The body is straight, no rust in the frame or body. When I bought it 5 years ago, I replaced all the brakes with motorcraft parts, replaced the front end components, bilsteins all around. Interior is fine, driver seats has cracks, but no rips or tears. It has the mid bench seat and no video screen. Just replaced the fuel pump two months ago. The only thing it really needs now (besides an engine 
) is the battery saver module replaced (the radio and windows cut out sometimes).
) is the battery saver module replaced (the radio and windows cut out sometimes).
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge
You will be spending about what the excursion is worth to get it fixed. I think that you should stick to the plan and use the your current vehicle to tow and get a fuel efficient one for now. I think it is worth fixing for someone but that leaves the decision to keep or sale the carcass...
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
I know that a lot of folks can't do this, but for me, I'd go get a block from the junkyard, re machine it and sleeve any bad cylinders and rebuild.
But getting an aftermarket rebuilt might be doable for a lot of people. It's the damn labor costs involved that kills ya .
But getting an aftermarket rebuilt might be doable for a lot of people. It's the damn labor costs involved that kills ya .
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Mountain Pass
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 892
Likes: 160
From: Gainesville
I did two (2) years ago. I got a remanufactured Motorcraft. At the same time, I ceramic coated a set of Banks headers and had them installed. I also got a set of 5 Star tunes.
If you are able, do it yourself. That way you won’t be going back and having to correctly torque everything down.
About three (3) years ago, I replaced the tranny with a Motorcraft, as well.
I’m really weird about loyalty toward my vehicles, unless it’s a Dodge.
If you are able, do it yourself. That way you won’t be going back and having to correctly torque everything down.
About three (3) years ago, I replaced the tranny with a Motorcraft, as well.
I’m really weird about loyalty toward my vehicles, unless it’s a Dodge.
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 533
Likes: 78
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge
I'll send her a link - but I believe her response will be - 'We already have too many cars. You don't even have time to work on the ones we have now. If you just call the junk yard, we can probably get $400 for it and it will be gone from our lives, finally.'
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 892
Likes: 160
From: Gainesville
It must be a woman thing. My wife has said, I don’t know how many times, “I’m going to pile all your stuff together on top of your S-10 (it’s a 1984 and the body is flawless, by the way) throw gasoline on top and light it.”
Thread Starter
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4wd Low
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 14
Likes: 2
From: Woodbridge
So I guess the questions I have - looks like ford reman is NLA. I'm searching the forums. Is Fraser okay for reman? It looks like E-350 came with the 2v V-10 up until the end. The only difference might be the Oil pan/pickup tube? Car-parts is only showing pretty high mileage used v-10 from SuperDuty/Excursions, for not much less than a reman - although I do see E-350 V10's from box trucks/ambulances from 2014-2018 with less than 100k miles that I could consider if priced ~1.5-1.8k.
Any suggestions on that front?
Any suggestions on that front?