| Author | Message | ||
     Cyclonemick |
I currently own a 95 Ford Ranger 4.0 v6 with over 215k. It has been a great little truck and still has a great body with no rust and no dents, maybe a few thin scratches but nothing major. Recently it has been having problems and just does not have the power it used to. Are Re-manufactured motors worth the money?? Or should I just part with the Ranger and say good bye? I have checked a few prices for motors and have generally been quoted around 2 grand with 18 mos waranty. I have no expiernce with re-built motors but I do have a reliable mechanice who is willing to help me do the swap if I decide to buy! Any suggestions would be welcome! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
2 grand -VS- 18 months sounds good to me. What kind of a car could you get for 2000 bucks? I don't know what kind of money you got coming in or going out... but you can get alot of repairs done for a 1 car payment... | ||
| Mikej |
By "having problems and just does not have the power it used to" do you mean it is starting to get blowby and the bearings are getting worn out, or does it just need a tune-up and new air filter? 215k is pretty good regardless. I'd suggest a compression/leakdown test to see if just a top end job will bring it back to life. As to the remanufactured engines, to me it sort of depends on where you get the rebuilt engine from. Is it from the factory or some reputable firm, or just some hack shop that rips it down and slips in a new set of piston rings after a 30second hone job on the cylinders? A full tear down and boil out and rebuild costs more than the alley job. But your profile occupation note tells me you probably know all about all this stuff already so ignore what I just wrote.  A rebuilt engine from a good source should be almost as good as a brand new engine. Does Ford even offer a long block engine option these days? That used to be the way to go years ago. ps, about 8 years ago I priced a rebuilt engine from a local (alley) shop for a replacement engine in an '84 Ford F250 straight 6. They wanted $750 and the old engine. (Message edited by mikej on January 07, 2009) | ||
| Mikej |
Another option is your local craigslist, here's a '95 Ranger with 4cyl for about $1,500 http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/983454340.h tml and here's an '88 for a grand that might be worth it just for the engine if the engine will swap into your's http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/981833181.h tml | ||
| Spiderman |
why not get a rebuild kit and re build the engine yourself? | ||
| Bill0351 |
I have had really good luck with salvage engines. Plus, if they come complete with intake and ignition, it is pretty much plug and play. It's cheaper than the parts and machining for your own rebuild, and the last one I bought (SB Chevy)came with a 12 month warranty. It was $900 installed and they wanted the old engine. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I bought and installed a reman engine for my old dodge years ago and am very happy with it. I think the trick is to buy from a reputable source. | ||
| Hmartin |
Is is an automatic? If so, you've got some expensive transmission seals that are waiting to betray you. The tranny could even be the source of your power loss. Me? I'd start looking. | ||
| Cyclonemick |
Thanks for all the help! Over the last year I have myself changed the Clutch and all assisting parts, heater core( I'll never do that job again) radiator and lines, heater control Valve, Water Pump, Thermostat and altenator. Right now it is in the shop because it will crank over but not fire. I believe it is a sensor of some sort but I should find out later this week after they hook it up to the diagnostic machine. I do, and enjoy doing most of my own work when capable and I have considered re-building my self but I believe it would be, like stated above cheaper and less time consuming to just throw in a Crate motor ready to go! After all the work I have done I would hate to get rid of it but I would really like to be able to hop in start up and go and not have to worry about more engine problems. Thanks for the tips! I haven't fully made up my mind yet but I am leaning towards the Re-man. | ||
| Easy_rider |
Jasper is "right down the road" from you. Reputable place. If they have your motor it sounds like the way to go. | ||
| Cyclonemick |
I have heard about Jasper! I am planning on calling them this week. I called AutoZone this morning on a tip from a co-worker but I don't know of anyone who has dealt with AutoZone or Advanced Auto?? But they both have multiple suppliers with warranty guaranteed. | ||
| Schwiiing |
I've got at 92 Ford Ranger 4.0 6cyl that I had to put a new motor in at 75k. Used a re-manufacutred motor and now have over 120k on the rebuild. I will pass on the advice my mechanic gave me, however. If you do it, replace everything from the firewall forward - I did. No sense in spending that kind of money on a new motor, and having it fail due to a water pump, or bad radiator hose. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I've worked as an automotive machinist in the past, and dealt with a Jasper "Remanufactured" engines. Back then it was really hit or miss with them. There was some REALLY shoddy manufacturing going on with many of 'em. Crank journals sizes were ALL OVER the place. One SB chevy we took apart after 5K had one hole .06" over, one .04" over, and the rest .03" over. Not really something I'd do. However, this was 20+ years ago, so YMMV. If I were you, I'd pull the motor and rebuild it myself. Have the machining done by a reputable shop, and use quality components. | ||
| Froggy |
Drop the 620HP 6.2L Corvette motor in it  | ||
| Hughlysses |
The rebuilt engine may well be the way to go, but I'd definitely verify the loss of power is because the engine is worn out before I invested in the rebuilt engine. BTW- have you ever replaced the catalytic convertor(s)? They have a definite life and can break down/clog up at some point which will definitely kill engine performance. Hey, as long as we're talking engine swaps, I found this site this week: http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/index.php I'd love to replace the gutless 2.5L 4 cyl in my Ranger with one of these! | ||
| Buellfighter |
Like Bill0351, I also had good luck with a salvage engine for my Isuzu Trooper. Found a yard with a freshly wrecked in the rear Trooper, they swapped it and it was 800.00. Runs great!! | ||
| Cyclonemick |
Well I just heard from the shop that I took it because of a suspected Sensor problem and it turns out that I blew a head gasket and the shop is recomending a new motor(because of the mileage and shape it is in) So I guess I'm going to make a decision quicker than I anticipated! I think I'm either going with Jasper ( 3year 100k waranty) or going to re-build my self! I'll let you all know how it turns out! Thanks for all the info Guys! |
