Ok guys I am new to this forum but I am not new to forums in general but I guess introduction is a necessary evil. In any case I am glad to be here and hope I can get a few of your opinions.

I have a 1991 f-150 XLT Lariat. The body is in good shape but the engine and tranny are shot. To begin with the engine that it currently has is the stock engine. It is a 5.8 and it has a little bit of a nock. We , a friend and I, changed the timing belt and the lifters. The engine runs ok but it still has a nock and that is all the money I want to spend on that engine. The tranny, well what can I say about it. The previous owner of this truck blew the original tranny so they stuck a older 3 speed tranny in its place. Works ok a little sloppy but I guess it works. However I still want to change it.

Here is my question to you guys. I am planning on taking a ride tomorrow and going to a few local yards and see if I can at least pick up a newer engine. One that is in good shape. Has anyone done this on a similar year truck and what engine do you recommend? I was thinking of picking up a 4.6 liter. Or should I look for another 5.8 liter engine? I am a little confused cause I am not sure what I should get? The other problem that is troubleling me is that junk yards will sell you an engine and they give warranties, but I am scared that they are going to give me an engine that smokes or has alot of wear and tear. So should I look for an engine that is newer in look and doesnt look ragged out? What should I look for and what do you recommend?

Thanks for your input in advance.

 

You don't want a 4.6 because it won't fit as a drop-in due to the different design.
You have the 351w engine so replace with the same block (a 5.7L engine).
Since there getting old now you just have to try and make sure you get one in good shape as either rebuilt or low milage.
Why not consider a rebuilt short block, have your heads done and end up with a good long term engine if the truck is to be kept long enough to make it worthwhile.
The other way is to take a part the engine and see what situation you have and repair it.
Good luck.

 

Well I thought about that but I really didnt want to spend the money on a rebuilt engine. I mean you are really talking about 1400 and up on rebuilt engines. To have this one rebuilt I think I am looking at 1200 and up. If I buy a used engine it will run me about 400 dollars. This is with a three month gaurantee. The down side to that is if the engine smokes or nocks then I am screwed cause it has to be yanked out and restart the entire process.

 

Yep you got it.
The last I bought a short block from a local store was $750.
Doing the heads over and gaskets, new plugs etc will be at least another $300 but you get an engine that will last a long time.

 

I agree with Bluegrass. The problem with buying an engine from a junkyard is that you have no clue what abuse that engine has seen in its past. You have no idea if the oil was changed regularly or at all. The owner could have dumped a couple of bottles of this and that in it to stop knocks and pings and then sold it to the junkyard owner who sells it to you or whatever.

Personally, I would recommend you do just what I did when I came into the same situation with my Ford Ranger: bite the bullet, go and get a small loan for 2 or 3 grand and run down to your local O'Reilly's and get yourself either a short or long block engine. O'Reilly's sells a good engine, IMO, better than Autozone or Advanced. Of course, I doubt they are better than what you get at the Ford dealership nor what you would buy from Summit or other high performance places.

Just my $3.82 worth.

 

Why buy a used engine that you know nothing about, you alredy have a used engine that you know everything about.