Engine Swap, new transfer case, and ball joint replacement

[StaTTiKK]

I have a 1998 Mountaineer with a 5.0 engine. Unfortunately, my car needs to have the engine replaced, a new transfer case, and the ball joints need to be done. I have purchased a used engine, and also have a new transfer case on the way here. My question is this. I have been quoted 1500 dollars to do all the work at a local shop and I wondering if this is reasonable. I know a lot of you have tons of experience with this sort of thing, and I wonder if you might have some insight. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Turdle]

Bump for a friend.

I'm on the fence-so I asked him to ask for opinions--

 

[IZwack]

I know that price is high but it sounds about right for an engine swap which means removal of the transmission and so on..

 

[Turdle]

If it makes any difference to your opinion senator-
the transmission should stay put--

 

[IZwack]

Ahaha you're right.

 

[Turdle]

Before anyone asks--
Josh and I have been on the phone addressing this-

there is a hammer banging from the inside of the engine-it is at the least a flat cam lobe-but the rockers and pushrods all looked good-(yeah, he tore it down and back) so the motor is toast-
awd case is shot also--

 

[IZwack]

Actually now that I think about it, I think that price is a little high. I think a friend of mine had an engine in a Corolla swapped for something like $600 in labor.

You can do the transfer case swap yourself as it shouldn't take more than a day.

 

[Turdle]

with 2 guys and the right tools handy-the t case R&R would be 1 hour max. The awd case is only 80 lbs. it's tiny---and has no linkage or wiring-just 6 bolts.
drop the front and rear shafts-remove the console to access the top bolts.

see, there is another reason why I was questioning this

 

[IZwack]

Have you tried calling other places for a quote? I mean at least just for the engine swap.

 

[StaTTiKK]

Hey everyone thans for the input. Jon you are the man. Unfortunately, here in Podunk Pinetop, AZ, There are only two shops that are willing to do the entire engine swap, and the other shop I talked with wanted 1200 just for the engine swap. GRRRR. I think you all are right though, I should do the transfer case myself. Isn't a big deal Should find out what they would charge for ball joints and engine swap. I know you need some press or something to get the damn ball joints out, so I just assume have someone do those for me. Aren't presses a rediculous amount of cash?

 

[IZwack]

I know you need some press or something to get the damn ball joints out, so I just assume have someone do those for me. Aren't presses a rediculous amount of cash?

No way man:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38335

 

[CDW6212R]

I agree with Jon and the others, the engine swap alone should not cost more than a $1000. I would look around and ask for a personal reference, surely there is someone there that could do it at home etc. for less.

Josh, I'm sorry but I went to my close by FedEx freight place, they don't have a slow ground rate. I needed to take the AWD to the Express stores, they take the ground shipments. I didn't know that they could take this 80 pounds, the limit I was told is $100 for ground.

I will have it there tomorrow, the online retail rate is $50, I have a personal account with them. Night,

 

[StaTTiKK]

I agree with Jon and the others, the engine swap alone should not cost more than a $1000. I would look around and ask for a personal reference, surely there is someone there that could do it at home etc. for less.

Josh, I'm sorry but I went to my close by FedEx freight place, they don't have a slow ground rate. I needed to take the AWD to the Express stores, they take the ground shipments. I didn't know that they could take this 80 pounds, the limit I was told is $100 for ground.

I will have it there tomorrow, the online retail rate is $50, I have a personal account with them. Night,

Thank you so much man. I appreciate it very much. I am gonna try and do some checking around.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Fedex and UPS normally both take packages up to 150 pounds. UPS does I'm sure, as long as length by girth is under 108 inches. I'm sure a t case would be no problem. With 4 ball joints I'd say that price isn't a whole lot higher than you should expect at a shop. I'd do the t case myself, and consider at least doing the upper ball joints. They aren't too bad.

 

[StaTTiKK]

awesome

You all are great. Thank you for all the input. I am gonna call the shop tomorrow and see about just ball joints and engine swap. Good times. Hope you all had a great weekend... Ciao.

 

[chriswells78]

Don, check with DHL, I shipped a TC from Columbus to North Dakota for $27 and change in a rubbermaid plastic crate I got from the local hardware store.

I'm doing an engine swap myself, It's not that hard, just time consuming. You need a metric socket set that ranges from 7mm to 19mm, breaker bar, a pry tool, screwdrivers and an engine hoist. (I'm probably forgetting one or two but its not many) You'll need a torque wrench for putting it back together. You can rent a hoist from Nations Rent or most heavy equipment rental places for about $50-100 for the weekend. You can get rebuilt explorer motors on Ebay for $400-800 plus shipping. Get a $15 Hanes manual and have your computer within reach to ask questions. There is always somebody on here that can help you with things.

 

[Turdle]

Yeah--we need to push Josh to do this himself--he very well could.

I think he has the skills--

 

[Mbrooks420]

What year Explorer did the motor come from?

 

[CDW6212R]

Yeah--we need to push Josh to do this himself--he very well could.

I think he has the skills--

Ditto, it really is just a big long day project. Two people are really needed with good mechanical skills. Use lots of patience when lifting in and out of the vehicle. With the trans left in place it comes down to getting enough parts out of the way for the engine to clear everything.

It's just a lot of little details, many items to disconnect etc, and being safe. To likely save over $1000, look at it as an earnings of over $1000. Good luck in any case,

 

[StaTTiKK]

What year Explorer did the motor come from?

the motor came out of a 98 explorer. they say it has about 54k miles on it. . LOL about Mtn8or. I would really pay someone to do this engine than do it myself. I don't trust myself, and I just want it to be all better. not to mention who the heck has time to do an engine. I work 60 plus hours a week. Anyways...