So my engine took a huge crap on me yesterday. Completely locked up. Must be replaced.

I've no clue how to shop for an engine, new or used. Have a quote from a shop for $4500, for a new one to be put in with 1-2wk to complete.

This all seems high. Someone found me a 90k mi used one for about $3k.

1) what's reasonable price for new, used, rebuilt?
2) reasonable timeframe for a shop. I've neither the time, tools, nir experience to try this at home on my only vehicle.
3) is there any cost effective options to take afvantage of this for a better engine? E.g. Diesel, or flexfuel, better mpg, etc?
4) good places to find these engines?!

It's a full sized f150 4.2L v6 lwb 5spd 1997 model.

 

97 had leaky intake gaskets, hydrolocked the motor prolly.

If 4500 is too much don't even think about doing custom engine swaps.

2 weeks is a little long for an engine swap that probably takes 15ish hrs on book time. But depending on availablilty of the new engine, and work load of the shop that isn't totally unreasonable.

 

3K for a used v6 engine! thats insane!

 

I think there is a pull a part near you. I would go there first and see what they have in stock.

 

Do it yourself on a weekend with a used motor. You shouldnt be out more than 1k, a few days time and beer.

 

Right, I could do that under a grand easily. That engine w/low miles is only $450 w/warranty up town here.

Just document, take pictures and ask questions as you go. It's really that easy.

DON'T purchase a rebuild, - it's VERY doable to do yourself with a little effort.

 

4.2 is common as all hell in the junkyards, no one wants them.

 

Right, why go 4two when you can go v8 or v10. I guess many don't realize that with a larger engine that economy only suffers when you make that call for power w/the right foot. Other than that, the larger engines do everything the that little 4.2 can do @ just a frog hair above idle.

Economy can even improve with the larger powerplant when driven under normal conditions and/or in civilized fashion. That makes the V8 &10 more versatile, therefore,- they have a much higher residual value.

It sure is nice having that power on demand, when you need it most.

 

Thanks all

My parents wound up footing the bill – good thing as I work fir a cheaoskate call centre. They ended up telling the shop to just rebuild the engine. No idea why. I'm oretty sure that costs more thn replacing and definitely will take longer.

Cool info about the v8 or v10 only being worse mpg on hard accel or when towing loads. Might look into that if I ever have the cash to change the engine out because I want to instead of because the engine's locked up.

 

Oh, and $3k turned out to be with labour. So less crazy.