My 1990 5.0 is toast. I'm in need of a stock replacement motor (nothing fancy, its my daily driver). My budget is $2000.00. I'm mainly interested in a motor that will last a good long while. I run the car hard on occasion, but for the most part drive normally. I never really beat the hell out of it (the last motor was never spun past 4500rpm.) Here's my dilema: I'm a mechanic. I've seen MANY motor jobs go bad. Part store motors: junk almost every time, local machinist/assemble yourself: no way to trust if the machine work was done right, local rebuilder: can't trust them either... local NAPA rebuilder botched a big block chevy job twice on us. There are some really good engine builders about, but their prices are too high. The only rock solid luck I've had is with factory motors or Jasper remans. Jaspers worry me a bit though because they never seem to be able to rebuild any tranny right (although their motor work has been ok). I wish I had more money but it took nearly a year to get the 2000 saved up (money is very tight). The Ford dealership wants $2700.00 for a stock HO (oddly only $100.00 more buys you the 270hp motor). Jasper wants $1800.00. Lastly I could have the heads rebuilt and put them on a new Ford shortblock ($1300.00). Sorry for the long post. Does anybody have any suggestions to keep my poor old pony on the road?
In need of a reliable stock replacement motor
- Thread starter 90LX5spd
- Start date
- Jul 17, 2001
- 485
- 0
- 0
legalize420
Active Member
KamiKaziDK
Member
Doesn't Rick91GT live in PA? You could see how much he'd charge you to do some work. Hell, I live in Az and I'm thinking of having him build my next engine
KamiKaziDK said:
That is what I was thinking. but... if you don't trust anyone....
If you want the job done right, maby you should do it yourself. Get the block prepped and then set it up yourself.
willys1
Active Member
with 2 grand you can buy a brand new motor from one of the magizine adds,forget the site,you can get 300hp for that!!
KamiKaziDK
Member
Yeah, but he wants a RELIABLE motor for that price. And nobody on here can vouche for those guys, but I'm sure we can get a dozen testimonials for Rick. I don't know about you, but when a car is my "daily driver" I'd rather pay 2g for a 250hp motor that won't break than 2g for a 300hp motor that'll grenade on me at any moment.
ECU5.0
Banned
i know a guy down here that will do machine work very cheap and get you all the parts you need very cheap. and he does an excellent job. the only reason he is so cheap is because he has no overhead. he works out of the back of a shop that he doesnt pay rent at and all his machines are paid off. i know its a hike from PA but its probably worth it to have everything done right. he got me everything for the bottom end minus the cam crank and timing chain for 450 bucks including all the machine work to the block. or do what hence said and get a low mileage explorer motor.
How stock do you want? Do you want a shortblock or a long block? I have a few stock motor shortblocks here that I could rebuild fairly cheap, hone, re-ring and new bearings...way under that budget. I could have your heads done pretty cheap as well.
If I can help [email protected] I am in Hanover, PA (York County) www.rnhperformance.net
If I can help [email protected] I am in Hanover, PA (York County) www.rnhperformance.net
willys1
Active Member
you can buy brand new from Ford a stock 5.0 for around 1350!! But you mentioned Rick,we agree on something!!!Ricks the manKamiKaziDK said:
Black Sun 5.0
Founding Member
What's wrong with the $1200 Ford short block? I had one put in last year with my heads, cam, intake, etc., and it runs great. 4500 miles between synthetic oil changes, no need to add a drop of oil. I also plan on adding an SC-trim somewhere down the road. I think it's a good block if your not going to do anything too radical. Unless, of course, there's something I don't know about these blocks......
willys1
Active Member
1200 for a short block,,that means he would have to pay to reasemble the rest!(heads,cam,intake,lifters,gaskets,ect.,,)why not buy a completed motor for thatBlack Sun 5.0 said:
he's on a budget!
jackchan
New Member
building a reliable long block is NOT rocket science. Buy a Advance auto parts long block with heads, intake, oil pan, and timingchain/set/cover for $1790 with a 36,000 mile warrenty. If your engine goes bad the policy will even pay labor to replace the engine. Can't go wrong there.
Like i said rebuilding a reliable short or long block is NOT rocket science. Nearly anyone can do it the problems start when someone skemps on used lifters, rods, rod bolts etc....
Jack
Like i said rebuilding a reliable short or long block is NOT rocket science. Nearly anyone can do it the problems start when someone skemps on used lifters, rods, rod bolts etc....
Jack
darthcual
Member
Another vote for a J/Y rebuild. The bone yards around my house have many, many 302 motors and if you pull it, its 65 dollars. 306 rebuild kit 850 bucks. Machine work 70-80 dollars.
