Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

Engine Rebuild Or Replace???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 4, 2006 | 11:24 AM
  #1  
Tom Christie's Avatar
Tom Christie
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Engine Rebuild Or Replace???

All indications are that my '98 4.2 V6 has seized up. We were going to sell the truck in any case, so now our choices are:

1. Try to sell as is. (Value in good shape would be $6000 -- can i get $2000 for it as is?)

2. Rebuild (which should cost $3000-$4000, right?). This has added benefit of actually learning what happened to the engine (which quit overnight in our driveway, silently, mysteriously, unceremoniously). But one mechanic said not to let someone rebuild this engine and to:

3. Replace with crate engine (I'm told Ford would be $6000 or more).

Any suggestions/thoughts? And if #3 seems best, any recommendations?
BTW, I'm in Los Angeles.

many thanks,
Tom
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2006 | 11:52 AM
  #2  
LxMan1's Avatar
LxMan1
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Sounds like it may have blown a head gasket and filled a cylinder with coolant. This will keep it from turning over. Have you tried removing the spark plugs and turning it over?
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2006 | 11:56 AM
  #3  
Tom Christie's Avatar
Tom Christie
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
yes: the starter and plugs were pulled; no coolant and engine would not turn. someone suggested the serp belt, and he came over and tried again with that off. no movement.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2006 | 07:26 PM
  #4  
94_turbo's Avatar
94_turbo
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
if in fact you find something major wrong with the engine--go to www.car-part.com and find a yard close to u that has a used 4.2--put it in--and move that truck--why didnt they stay with the 300????? sheesh
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2006 | 08:19 PM
  #5  
Flash's Avatar
Flash
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 1
I would suggest finding the absolute cheapest rebuild you can find and then trading on a new one. At zero percent and the delaers are stuffed with inventory, they're wheelin' and dealin.
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2006 | 08:20 PM
  #6  
ATC Crazy's Avatar
ATC Crazy
Hotshot
Community Builder
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,347
Likes: 4,375
From: SW VA
Hmmmm....It seems funny that an engine suddenly seizes up over-night. Does the starter enguage? Have you noticed any strange vibrations or noises on the last few trips?

Drop a 5.4 in there anyways
 
Reply
Old Sep 4, 2006 | 11:04 PM
  #7  
Tom Christie's Avatar
Tom Christie
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
No, there were no warnings whatsoever. the only thing we noticed was a little oil recently on the driveway, which WAS a first for this truck. but it was small amount, and the oil was a bit low. when we tried to start it the next day, there was this loud clacking noise under the right wiper. the battery was replaced, as was the starter. nothing. plugs pulled, no liquids and no movement when trying to turn the engine by hand. i still find it hard to believe, but my mechanic is 100 percent sure it's locked up good.
 
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2006 | 07:31 AM
  #8  
ASR GUNS's Avatar
ASR GUNS
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
try turning it backward by hand, unless you drove it really hot and or really low on oil it wouldn't just lockup. If i was going to swap out the ngine, see what you can find on ebay or a bone yard.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-1

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-8

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:41 PM.

story-0
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-5
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-7
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE