I am the origenal owner of a 97 F-150 XLT Ext. Cab 4x4 4.6ltr. 165000 miles. Convenience pkg. Power Windows and mirrors, Tow Pkg. Bed liner, Tonneau cover, pretty good shape inside and out but the engine is not good. Clanging noise and white smoke out the tailpipe that smells like maybe antifreeze.

My question is what would be an average price to get selling something like this? The rest of the truck is in good plus condition but just that one day when I went out to start it, it seemed to be locked up like the starter was jammed but I finally got it started and heard the clanking and seen the smoke. Might have blown a head gasket and did damage to a rod or piston or rocker, not sure. Just asking for opinions.

 

With a hurt engine, I'd say you aren't going to get much. Even though the rest of the truck is in nice condition, right off the bat, the buyer will be confronted with replacing the engine either by doing it himself or paying for it.

I'm actually in a similar position with my 2001 Ranger. It's a nice truck with low compression in 2 of the six cylinders. It's low on power and shakes pretty good while idling and driving, but has no signs of burning oil, smoking or coolant/oil mixing. I've been driving it like this for over 3 years and it hasn't gotten any worse.

I have it up for sale, Kelly Blue book with a hurt engine is $3800... I've been asking $2800 (figured an engine replacement will cost the new owner about $1000). I haven't had a single bite for over 2 months. People just don't want the hassle of buying a vehicle with a hurt engine. I'm probably going to end up only getting $1500 for it if I'm lucky.... and have a feeling you aren't going to make out much better than me. I'd say $2000 tops for your truck without seeing it.

 

Man.. with the possibility of a hydrolocked engine with a bent rod needing a full rebuild or a new engine, I wouldnt pay any more than $1,000. A used engine will cost you 1400 plus. Then install etc.. even for a mechanically inclined person it is a 2500 fix. 4k plus at a shop for a new engine I'm sure.

Now that I think about it, $800 would be tops for what I would pay.

 

Yes i would agree my new crate engine install ran over 5k and with the truck being as old as it is alot of people dont want to put that much money into somthing over 10 yrs old. I'd say 800 bucks.

 

I agree with most of the lowball responses on here. These trucks are common enough that no one is going to need one badly enough to buy one with a blown motor unless there is a deep discount. You're going to have that ad up for months and deal with aggravating derelicts, been there done that.

If it were my truck and my money, if I could afford it I would fix or swap the engine myself and then sell. Where I live your description of the condition + reman engine would list for just under $10k and sell for $7k-9k. Yeah I know that sounds ridiculous, it makes no sense to me either. Anything that runs and has 4x4 is like gold.

If I couldn't afford to fix, I would part it out. Less aggravation, more money, but more work.