New engine?? I need advice please!

[Beegle]

I just had my '91 towed to a mechanic after I couldn't find out what was wrong with with. He's tested nearly everything and says that the timing chain is skipping and that two of the cylinders are getting no compression. Even if I get the timing chain fixed ($400 - $500) he says it will still run like crap because of the two cylinders, which are probably getting no compression due to bent valves (another $400 to fix). It was running very poorly just before I had starting problems. He suggests that its not worth putting that much into it unless I get a used engine (about $1000). Right now, he is going to pull off the valve covers to see if maybe there is any way to bend them back w/ out taking off the heads to save me some money. I would get a second opinion but I'd have to get it towed everywhere. This is a pretty reliable mechanic though. I paid $1800 for my Explorer back in Nov. just for a winter car, so of course I hate to spend that kind of money on it. If I do, what are the chances of me selling it for almost an additional $1000 to get my money back out of it? What should I do? Please help me!

 

[unclemeat]

I swapped a remanufactured engine in mine.
for me the best deal was a remanufactured engine. It cost about $1,800 (from NAPA). It came with 3 year 36,000-mile warrenty. Installation cost $550. I found a used engine for about $900, but chose the remanufactured. There was a thread on this site about a guy in NY city that had on he wanted $200 but he would not ship.

 

[aldive]

Go with a rebuilt, if you choose a used motor, chances are you are just getting someone else's troubles.

 

[Carl D.]

Go with rebuilt, I put a rebuilt Jasper in mine. Had some problem with it at first, but Jasper was very good with their warranty and now am very happy it.

 

[MrShorty]

I wouldn't pay $1000 for a truck that needed an engine. Maybe $500, It would depend on other things (parts values)
My advice would be to not consider the repair cost against the fair market value of the '91. Rather, I prefer to look at the repair cost against the replacement value. Consider this:
Used engine: ~$1000 probably has 80-100K miles on it
Install used engine ~$500
Would sell as is for: $1000
Total ~$2500
Now ask yourself, "What can I go buy for $2500?" I would guess another '91-'93 Explorer with ~150K miles and you may or may not know the history of it. Or you can put $1500 into this one (that you know some history on) and have an engine put in. Which way to go could also depend on the state of other major parts (transmission in particular).
It's your call, you asked for advice, that's my 2¢.

 

[RAZOR]

Spend that much on a '91 fughedaboudit?

 

[joehawk]

I too would go for the reman. engine.

Used is really to unreliable. And I wouldn't get a shop to rebuild the engine, as they can't do it as cheap as the reman. engine builders who have an assemby line, also takes a lot longer waiting for the block to come back from the machine shop etc.. If a shop does a cheap rebuild with the engine still in the car, you won't get an engine that goes for a long time as they won't rebore the cylinders, the the taper in them will eventually break your rings. If the rest of the vehicle is is good shape, go with the reman. engine is IMHO. Good luck.

 

[joehawk]

addendum

I haven't put in a remanufactured engine for a few years, but at that time I found the best prices at Shucks Auto supply, and I got a 7 year warranty with it. It is still running great in my '85 T-Bird, although it is time to sell it as I have too many vehicles with the recent addition of the Explorer .

 

[Billy177]

look at this from ohio also http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...tegory=33615&item=2457755611#ebayphotohosting