Engine Swap or Rebuild?

[murrayexplorer]

Ok, so the title says it all. I have a 1993 Sport 4x4 with about 320k on the motor. Smokes like a freight train and is burning coolant just as fast. Looks like I can probably find a decent running engine out of a wreck for around $500. I'm sure it would be at least 2-3 times that for a shop to rebuild my old one. Any thoughts?

 

[Anime]

I'd say the rebuild/replace depends on what shape the stuff inside the engine is in, and what shape the comparable running engine is in too.

Without major damage to an original motor, you can throw on a new set of heads, rockers & rods, etc. with gaskets all around, and have essentially a fresh motor. There is plenty of evidence that the 4.0L doesn't wear a whole lot (except the factory rockers and pushrods) if well cared for, even at 200-300K.

If the smoking is from a piston ring, or there are other internal problems that would require a total breakdown to fix, along with LOTS more parts, then yeah, it makes sense to go with a drop-in replacement. However, keep in mind the high-wear OE parts are still there.

You'll likely need to source an OHV out of a newer 95-98 model rather than a 91-94 since they are usually pretty well up there.

Personally I find that the rebuild is usually completely worth it if you are the original owner and know the history of the vehicle, compared to a crap shoot of a replacement motor with a lot of miles. If the motor isn't all that great and there's a good chance something out of another vehicle will be better as-is, at the right price there's probably not a reason not to go for it.

 

[jd4242]

Rebuild!! Worth it!!

 

[cjmedina]

A rebuild will cost much more then a replacement!

 

[jd4242]

that's a given but how long will a 90-94 replacement last unless you want to do a whole wire swap and newer motor.a rebuild will have more power and be around for another 320

 

[safn1949]

My opinion is a re manufactured motor from Jasper,not an option for everyone as it's about $2000.But I intend to keep the Ex and it comes with a great warranty.
If money is an issue and if you can hear it run a motor out of a wreck is a viable option,a complete rebuild will cost you a bundle.There ain't no really cheap way to do it other then a junkyard motor.

 

[92exp4x4]

You might get one rebuilt cheaper, but you might wait longer too. I'm going into the 12th week on mine and i'm not too happy about it.

Jasper will send you one damn near immediatly.

 

[rsw2008]

you might try to check for blown gaskets,cracked heads. mine is doin the same thing. i just dont have the time or place to do it. they say that the bottom end of these motors are pretty stout. it would buy you some time if you dont want to do the whole motor right now.

 

[mattsharpie]

Rebuilt VS Wrecked VS New VS Kit

hey guys thought i muight be able to shed a tiny little light on some things.

here in california we has a wonderfull little place called PICK N PULL which has been a godsend for my 82 mercedes. a motor from pick n pull for an 84 240d was 175$ with a 50$ core charge.... i found one rebuilt in a oakland yard that was stuffed in the passenger side. pulled the engine and had to do a valve adjustment after 500 miles of running it which means the valves werent seated. which ussually happens within the first what 5k? so anyways. you find gems.

What to look for
*self service yards! do your own stunts its alot cheaper. by hundreds of dollars!
*find something thats wrecked. if the body is mashed up it means the vehicle was much more likely to be running at the time.
*check the cams/valves check for wear spots
*if it looks good from there drop the oil pan look for metal shavings.dust/particulates
* shiny IS better. find something with rebuild stamps ect with dates.
*check when the yard cycles their inventory. you want to be there when inventory is freshest.

since we all cant find new engines in wrecking yards itll take a great many trips for this to work. i spent a week looking for that gem of an engine and i was so incredibly lucky.

Rebuilds and new engines are p[retty self explanitory. not much work here unless youre getting it in a crate and putting it in yourself.
PS. Turnkey motors are awesomeness in a crate.

Kits....... well..... lets see here. this gets interesting. you got seal kits and complete kits.... you got kits for everything. its always better in opinion to start off everything new rather than replacing perhaps the head only to crack a piston and develop a knock that ruins your new heads......... this can be caused by metal fatigue.

*a self service yard can cost a couple hundred dollars you can get lucky and find a new motor.
*a wrecking yard that is not self service will charge quite a bit and may not be as gentle as youd like with your motor. (for example instead of taking time to unplug wires they may just cut them off ect.)
*kits are pretty hard to go wrong with. its hard to get lemons unless you accidentally mess somethin up whilst rebuilding
*rebuilts and new are likewise but takes alot more cash to do

id suggest hunting self service yards. go through five or ten then pick one engine that looked really healthy. another tip is while youre in there if somebody did a complete cavity overhaul on an engine you could pull the engine and everything mechanical around it and get a pretty good deal on the parts and not have to move so much around to get the motor in. ie alternators ac pump power steering ect.

hope this helps!

1994 Ford Explorer Sport Power by Pick n' Pull

 

[safn1949]

I was also mistaken,the Jasper is $2650 not 2 grand.

 

[damarble]

I just got done with a swap in a 91 Sport that had 286k. I bought a 93 motor with 100k on a rebuild from a guy on craigslist for $180 and did the swap in a weekend. Runs great. I did a new clutch and the M5OD-HD from my 01 at the same time, I'm into the job about $500 and should be good for another 100k+ easy.

Pretty easy job all told. Just make sure the motor you get is a good runner.