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?