Kluski

Long story short, I have my car in the shop with what appears to be diagnosed as an internal crack in the block and needs a new motor. What options are there as far as a replacement? This could mean replace with the same factory motor or something different. Money is a huge and primary factor, which makes me believe I will end up with a used factory unit. However, I want to explore the different options available. I plan to keep the car N/A, no turbo or charger.

70MACH1OWNER

By far and away the cheapest option is to find a low mileage total in a junk yard that has a good engine in it. There are some nicely put together short blocks out there and you could jump up to a 302 CI stroker. But they cost $3,300- -$4,000 for the short block.

Bullitt995

If money is super tight just go find a junkyard 3V. You could get one for really cheap.

Glenn

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Musta...Q5fAccessories
??
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-04...Q5fAccessories
man check out the price on that one ouch

Kluski

Thanks everyone. Since I don't know much about engine/block work...

1. Could I get a 302 block and use the top half of my current engine?
2. How do I know a junyard motor is in good condition?

colbymh

What they said. Curious what happened tho???

Bullitt995

Don't get an old 5.0 block. Please. Get a friend or pay someone who knows how to buy out of a junkyard and go with them to look at anything.

Kluski

I got in an accident and apparently got hit hard enough that it caused some engine damage. I thought everything was fixed, but the last step (turning the car on) proved otherwise. I hit the cap on what the insurance is allowing, so the cost of the engine is my own.

As far as getting a new engine, I am having a shop do that since that is too big of a job for me. But I want to get opinions from more than just a shop on possible options.

While I was looking around, I did see Ford has a 302 crate engine starting at $3,500 (http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...KeyField=11752). And Jasper has the 4.6L engine for around $4,000 retail, with warranty. The shop mentioned (off the top of his head) that I might be looking at $3,500 for a low mileage, used 4.6L engine. Am I not understanding something, or should I be paying less for the used engine.

70MACH1OWNER

That 302 engine from Ford Racing is a older push rod engine and is not compatible with our cars. You need a 3V specfic block. What type of money are you willing to spend for a engine replacement? There are many options for shortblocks but depending on what type of money you are willing to shell out. Your best bet and most cost effective route is a good junk yard find. Here is a remanufactured one on Ebay for $2,700 I found doing a quick search. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-...Q5fAccessories


Here is the Ford Racing shortblock you would need. It is forged and more than you need.

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...KeyField=12039

Kluski

Thanks, I figured it wouldn't work. As far as cost, I might be able to push $4k, but would like it closer to $3k if I can get something reasonable.

Bullitt995

Find another shop.

70MACH1OWNER

Are you getting these prices from a body shop or an engine builder? Find someone that doesn't sand bondo for a living to do your motor.

Antigini-GT/CS

X2

Check Craigslist or Craiglook(national Craigslist search) for 3v's while you're at it. There's no harm in trying to save a few bucks. Wherever you get the motor from, make sure you've got some sort of start up warranty with it just in case.

2010MustangGT

Get the 5.0.

TacoBill

In addition to all the suggestions above, keep in mind the labor costs.

Building up a shortblock to a longblock can cost upwards of $700, and tack on a few hundred just for the gasket kit.

Removal, breakdown (if you're transferring the heads) and installation of the engine can set you back another $1000.

On a budget, your best option is to find a used, complete 4.6 3V stock motor.

Kluski

Thanks all. I thought about the 5.0, but that was not a real option. I did end up finding someone that was able to get me a great deal on a remanufactured engine with a 3yr/100k mile warranty. Includes the oil pan, heads and gaskets, just gotta bolt on the manifold, pump, compressor, etc...

cdynaco

Hitting the limit?
So the insurance adjuster failed to inspect the engine, but if he would have he would have probably totalled the car correct? Since the adjuster made the error, is there any recourse thru the Head Office of the Ins Co - or the State Ins Commisioner?
Seems like that's the insurance companies fault for OKing the body repair without adequate inspection for all the damage.

Kluski

Well, I'll take the blame for that. The insurance guy said he did a rough check and I was at the limit between totaled and not, before a thorough check was done. He gave me the choice of taking that money or totalling the car all together. The car has sentimental value to me and I hated the thought of getting rid of it, so I risked taking the max amount of money without totaling it and kept the clean title, not salvaged. The insurance handler was actually pretty cool (a mustang fan as well) and gave me retail top dealer value since it was in such great condition.

While getting worked on, I found a new Foose/CDC hood that was cheaper than a factory hood and squeezed some new LT headers and poly motor mounts in. So I'll get it back with a few upgrades I had planned on, just got it done with 'free' labor.

MTAS

For question #1, if you mean this block http://www.roushyatesparts.com/Alumi...m-6010-t50.htm you can use your stock heads but you'll still need a new crank, rods and pistons.

icemant180

Kluski, you might want to revisit that "totaled" offer by the ins co. You got banged that hard, then there’s a possibility you will experience a myriad of other issues down the road. (no pun intended). The transmission, drive train and read end took some impact as well. Not to mention all the other stuff you can not see. Before you go investing money you might want to have everything looked at very closely, by the adjuster. GL