I think that is what the guy did, repair a junk yard engine.
I know this is an older thread but thought I'd let everyone know that we successfully used an F-250 equipped only with a tow bar to tow home our 2003 Explorer xlt 4.6L V8, total distance was 46 kilometers. Now I read earlier about there possibly being issues "buddy towing" a 4x4 so I.should point out that upon taken possession of our truck we noticed the kid who previously owned it must have came down extremely hard off roading as the rear diff is basically broken into pieces, so only 2wd on our tow. However, as tow bars are not exactly legal in our province nor is sitting in a vehicle while it is being towed, we opted to cramp into the f250 and depend upon its power and brakes to get the job done which it did no problem. We didnt even have power in the Explorer yet so besides temporarily hooking up a battery just to allow us to start it (electronic furl pump and all) and put it into neutral, the f-250 did all the work on some pretty cold and icy Atlantic Canadian Winter roads. I should mention that one leg of the run was down a steep incline known locally as the "Bull Run" referring of course to the gear truckers must use just to make it up this beast of a 5 km hill. Well we didnt climb it, we came down it and if ever our tow bar or anything else was gonna fail it was gonna be then and as I've said...success!! Now just have to change the power steering pump as the pin is sheared off inside. Then replace the serpentine belt and lastly I need to swap out my starter. So far my bf reached inside passenger wheel well with the handle of our floor jack and taps the starter/solenoid while I crank her over but just noticed today after buying a new starter that it's likely only an issue with the wire coming off the solenoid as it was frayed and barely connected.
