The plan for a 5 year project on my '73 F100 has changed dramatically, where now I am looking to turn it into my daily driver rather soon, due to my daily driver getting totaled (read the account and see pics here: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...the-story.html )

So rather than spend the time and $ doing my first-ever rebuild, I am considering all the options, including a drop-in crate motor. I should get some $ from insurance to fund the project, and I'd rather not buy a new vehicle, but accelerate the plan to fix the F100.

Your thoughts and experiences would be greatly appreciated

 

A rebuilt longblock will cost about the same as rebuilding your existing engine, the upside of going this route is you can swap out motors in a weekend and be back up running. A crate motor is usually built-up to a certain extent so it will cost more and while it should bolt right in it may require tuning and possibly other powertrain upgrades depending just how much it is built. Rebuilding your existing motor will get you exactly what you want in terms of power and reliability(assuming you do a complete rebuild with machining), but it will take a minimum of 2 weeks and possibly a month to complete factoring in machine work and ordering parts.

 

well i searched the net and called several create engine companies i was just not sold on the warranty. you know putting one in & then having to take it out and reship it. like paul said just rebuild what you have to get exactly what you want!!

 

Thanks for the info guys... never rebuilt one before, and time is of the essence, so this is where the crate motor idea comes in. I am certainly not looking for a racing engine, just one that breathes nicely in and out. I have a stock c4 tranny that I am not looking to twist out of truck. I have some other upgrades I want to do to the truck, so looking to try and establish line items for a budget. Looks like I might have up to $6K to spend, but not all on an engine.

Thanks again, your thoughts and ideas are more than welcome.

 

well whe i was looking the crate engines were about the same as my rebuilt one but wholesale engines .com was the one that i was going to go with their ford engines are put together in Texas they have good prices and they will talk to you like people should.

 

Thanks for the tip.... I am going to compile a list of all the recommended crate engine suppliers and compare, and also going to do some diagnostic tests to the existing and see if maybe I don't need to completely replace it, but can freshen it up and plan for major surgery another time. Taking stock of what I have now will make a difference in the ultimate plan. It starts RIGHT NOW and runs, but sounds like valve stickiness, also leaks oil from more than a couple spots. SO maybe yank it, clean it up, replace seals, check heads/valve trains and replace what I need.... a compression check will help to reveal issues.