Advice wanted. Old 280k miles...not much money

[19Walt93]

My 1/2" drive torque wrench cost me $125 from MAC in 1975 when I was making $3.10 an hour, I don't know about the brand in your link but I hope it's accurate. Torque is critical on bearing caps, heads, flywheels, intake manifolds, and wheels to name just a few parts. The 1935 Ford manual says to torque heads in 3 steps- first snugly, then firmly, then securely- those days are gone.
If you take a 97 engine out I would just replace all the freeze plugs because it will never be as easy once the engine is installed. I'd also make sure the block drains can be removed, many people ignore them and they rot in place. You can't thoroughly change the coolant without pulling the drains.

 

[slater50]

Being a ford engine tech for 30 years, no way of knowing the rear main is leaking or the rear of the engine oil pan is leaking oil without separating the engine from the trans.....
Can also be original cork lower intake manifold gasket....
I wouldnt do anything without a complete reseal, oil pan gasket, rear main, lower intake gasket & valve cover gaskets....

 

[bgrieves1]

Thank you. we learned today we need to move across the country in a few weeks to care for a loved one. So I am going to pay a mechanic to put a reman in. This new shop has great reviews and quoted a good price. But I don't see this shop on Fraser or Jasper list. I'll have to figure out where to buy a reman. Might have to be another company besides Jasper or Fraser