Have a '97 Taurus that we received for nothing from my mother in law. It has over 100k on it and was mechanically ok until son didn't check oil on it for several weeks ... Broke a connecting rod and now I'm on the fence about what to do with it. I've rebuilt a '67 ford 200ci 6cyl and a mercury outboard (both with the help of my father who was a mechanic for 40+ years). So having nothing invested in the vehicle, I say it is worth the $2000 + time (my estimate) to rebuild it. To replace it with a used car (for about the same $2000) would be a bit more risky as far as reliability goes..

Should we Rebuild or Recycle?

 

If the rest of the car is in great shape I would have no issue with putting and engine in it.

 

Only thing with Taurus' are the trannys are a weak point.. Otherwise would be a decent 2nd car.

 

Dropping in a remanufactured motor or junkyard motor would be more cost effective (less time consuming) than rebuilding it. No telling how bad it is inside if a rod broke.

Lots of factors come into play, though. Realistically how long will it take you to get it running? Does the person who needs the car need something NOW? Can they swing a payment on a car that is more reliable/better suited to them than a '97 Taurus? Should you pay a shop to do the work?

No easy answers, I just hate to see you spend a bunch of money and tons of time on a car that won't be worth a bunch of money when you are done.

FWIW, around here, the scrap yards will pay you about $300 if they come pick up the car, and $400 if you deliver it to them.

Checked NADA and KBB, and a '97 Taurus with 110,xxx miles is worth $1,000+- in fair condition, up to maybe$2,000 in good condition.

 

Does it have the 3.slow Vulcan pushrod motor or the 24v DOHC 3.0 Duratec?

 

Being a 97 i think their was just one engine choice... I dont think they had the Vulcan and Duratec until the new body style taurus came out in 2000 Maybe?

We had a 04 Taurus SES with the Duratec and it was a hell of a good car.. Put 65,000 miles on it in 1 1/2yrs.. We traded it off when the wife thoght she wanted a Xterra

 

First generation Taurus had a 2.5 4 banger, the Vulcan, and the 3.8 Essex. 2nd generation (92) dropped the 4 banger. 3rd generation (96) replaced the Essex with the Duratec. 4th generation (2000) kept the Vulcan and Duratec.

 

that's why you don't give someone a free vehicle.

 

I scrapped a 96 Taurus a couple years ago. My daughter drove it in high school then I had it for three or four years. It was so rusty that if you drove down a gravel road the interior filled with a cloud of dust. The last straw was when the brakes went out of it. I had a junk dealer come and haul it away but not before I took the passenger bucket seat out of it and bolted it to a furniture roller cart. Now I have a nice chair to sit in while I'm on the patio and I can roll down hill if I've had too much to drink. I also bolted a cupholder to the roller part and I may bolt a floor shifter on it....

 

I had a '92 Taurus in high school, one of the most comfortable seats I've ever been in, the rest of the car was ehhhh

 

Thanks to all who left comments and suggestions.

glc- it is the 3.o Duratech

Need4Racin- I agree, to a point. Lesson learned, 20/20 he appreciates what he no longer has...

2 re manufactured engine avail @ Rock Auto one is $1200 and the other $1700

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...967&cc=1139037
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...726&cc=1139037

I'm going to put in a re built. #2 son (17) chomping at the bit to get it running.

 

Rebuild it with your son taking a large part in the work. Good family project and a lesson learned.

 

Have you considered a used engine out of a boneyard?

 

I don't feel a yard engine would be a good choice. How reliable would it be etc.. I know it would be cheaper but I want something more dependable.

 

another price for comparison. I had a friend buy a F150 engine from them, and it came with every gasket needed to do the job.

http://184.154.230.11/~kjhcosul/adva...97+FORD+TAURUS

2,025.oo for the Duratec 3.0L



All though i realize you arent close to Dallas area, just trying to help put things in perspective, make sure you're getting a good deal