Alright most of you probably haven't read my previous thread about Ford and Midas messing up my engine.

Summary:
my 2004 F150 5.4L w/70k started to run rough so I took it in to my buddy who owns a Midas. My plugs needed to be replaced. He tried to take them out by spec but broke 2 so sent it down to Ford to have them switch them out. They broke 1 and $750 later I was on the road again. The same day just about 5 hours after I picked it up my truck I was 50 miles outside of Colorado when cylinder #1 blew. The next day I got it do a Ford dealer in Colorado who removed the plug and scoped down the cylinder. He told me the sleeve has pretty scred and said it looks like one of the shops dropped something in there. He quoted me $8,500 for a new engine. I said i'll let Ford and Midas know Anyway im still in a battle

It looks like im going to have to do the swap then take apart the old engine and try to get my money back. Its going to be the quickest way i figure to get my money back. hopefully i can find some evidense. but here is my question. does anyone have any experiance with ATK engines? They are the best price so far. we'll there are a few cheaper prices but this is the best that comes from a reputable place. Its a reman 5.4L 3v w/ 3yr unlim milage warranty for $3,769. and info on ATK would be great.

 

Never heard of them. Used , is the best way to go - Car-Part.com. Never a reman IMO.

 

I've heard of them but thats all. Google atk engines you'll find lots of reviews.

 

Its hard for me to think about going used. Ya never know how they were broken in and ya never know how hard the pushed it. jbrew is the price difference why you say used or is there another reason? Just trying to get all the facts ya know.

 

I think the thought is Ford built them right the first time. With a reman it is less likely you will get a well built engine then if you picked up a used one that had never been taken apart. Modulars are complex not as simple to rebuild as the push rod engines and the manufacturers even screwed those up. If it were me I would look long and hard for a lower miles engine for that reason. Money would be a consideration as well. I'm pretty sure you could get a low miles used for less then half that ATK price.

 

That's exactly it, you get a better warranty with a reman, but who want's to go thru the hassle of using it and it doesn't cover labor. The reman worth it's weight is from Ford IMO.

A GOOD used engine can be a couple grand cheaper and they test them first. They also have a warranty. It's almost crazy to go with a reman. Even Jasper has messed a few up. Ford has installed Jasper remans in some cases that they ended up pulling back out and shipping it back.

On the flip side, SOMETIMES remans work fine. It's a crap shoot either way.

The cheapest route has paid off in the past, more so, than the expensive route has.

 

If all you're worried about is how it was broken in, there's really no need to worry. Today's engines are much less subject to break-in periods. I know someone that worked for GM at a SUV assembly plant and if you saw what they did to those vehicles right off the line to test them, you'd probably be quite surprised (basically push it as hard as possible to see if it survives!). I'd go with a low mileage used (and inspected) engine.

 

Thanks guys! im starting to price used engines. That reman ATK engines 3yr unlim mile warranty includes $50 an hour for unlimited hours for labor. But i just want whats going to last so i really appreciate the help. AER who is a manufacture for Fords warranty replacement engines has a distributor here and quoted me $2,807 for a reman. but now i have alot to think about.