Rebuild or Crate Engine
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Campton
Rebuild or Crate Engine
When replacing the stock engine in one of our trucks have you guys found it to be Easier on the budget to buy a long block crate engine or to rebuild your existing engine? I was looking at enginefactory.com and one of there replacement engines for our trucks is over 8,000 dollars however its a turnkey engine. I am just asking your thoughts as to which one is the best option.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 374
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I bought a Hesco crate motor from NAPA for $1200 with 3 year unlimited milege warrany because it was going to cost almost that much to rebuild it myself. I had a problem with it a while back but they covered it under warranty and paid me an hourly rate to fix it. But, I will never do it again. From now on I will build my own motors (this is the only crate motor I have ever bought). Unless you go with a KNOWN reman or with a ford motorcraft, you really don't know what your getting. They could have patched blocks, cheap parts, different size bores on each cylinder (Auto Zone told me that one), or use copper valve guide liners instead of new valve guides (like they did on mine).
The biggest reason I bought a crate motor was because I did not have another vehicle to drive at that time and the machine work alone was going to be at least a week. This way I pulled it on Saturday and was driving it on Sunday.
Just some thoughts.
The biggest reason I bought a crate motor was because I did not have another vehicle to drive at that time and the machine work alone was going to be at least a week. This way I pulled it on Saturday and was driving it on Sunday.
Just some thoughts.
New User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 20
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From: Meltingballs, AZ
I had a similar experience as Will described with my ’75 150 w/ 302. I kept the old core/motor thinking I would get a project car sometime & rebuild the old 302 for it. Well, the project car never happened but I did end up rebuilding the original 302 and re-installing it in the F150. Had a local shop take care of the bottom end & I did the heads. $1,200 & a couple of weekends later she was good as new.
The crate motor lasted 3 years/39000 miles when it started belching blue smoke like a two-stroke Evinrude. Won’t be going that route again unless I’m seriously pressed for time & it’s on primary transportation.
The crate motor lasted 3 years/39000 miles when it started belching blue smoke like a two-stroke Evinrude. Won’t be going that route again unless I’m seriously pressed for time & it’s on primary transportation.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,006
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From: Maine, Virginia
I have a Jasper short block in my '88 and she has 100k trouble free miles on her and I've been pretty tough on the old girl The fella that did the install did a valve job and cleaned up my old heads. Everything around the engine has failed but the actual motor is strong as an ox.
I'd go with a Jasper or Ford engine crate engine if you can get one that old from Ford.
Tim
I'd go with a Jasper or Ford engine crate engine if you can get one that old from Ford.
Tim
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,092
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From: Olympia
I'd suggest a rebuild. Treats ya good for slightly less.
Although.. you could just find a junkyard engine and clean it up. When I changed my F-350's engine I pulled an F-250's and tore it down and cleaned it up really good.
Although.. you could just find a junkyard engine and clean it up. When I changed my F-350's engine I pulled an F-250's and tore it down and cleaned it up really good.
