new engine for me?

[RangerAx]

Okay so my 89's got a cracked head, and this summer I'd planned on picking up 2 new ones, and HOPING no damage has been done to the block, but I ran across an ad on Craigs list.... an 88 (2.9 of course), happens it's an extended cab and body is crap whereas mine's a longbed but none of that matters obviously so let me get to the point...
why would I want that engine in my 89? it's a crate 2.9 with 20k on it...
which brings me to my question....for $420 it sounds like a good deal and would theoretically save me a LOT of work rebuilding my 2.9, but 88 versus 89 I know there's differences..but then it's a crate motor..what should I be looking for and how much of a problem is it gonna be?

 

[mhughes165]

there are no differences in the engine itself between 88 and 89, drop it in and go......

 

[grnrngr]

there are no differences in the engine itself between 88 and 89, drop it in and go......

That's what I'd do...matter of fact, that's what I just did...but mine's not a crate motor, just one that had recently been rebuilt before the truck got rolled. I'm stoked...my truck's back on the road!!!!

 

[rickcdewitt]

for only 400$ i'de be suspicious of the condition of the motor,though even if it only had good heads on it and you got some other spare parts it might be worth getting.

 

[Shran]

See if you can run a compression test on it and make sure it's not leaking anything too badly...honestly around here a truck with a junk body and good motor would probably go for that so I'd say go for it if it looks good.

So a little off topic here, but aren't crate motors just ones that have been salvaged and completely rebuilt to be sold? I've never really understood that.

 

[danger88ranger]

See if you can run a compression test on it and make sure it's not leaking anything too badly...honestly around here a truck with a junk body and good motor would probably go for that so I'd say go for it if it looks good.

So a little off topic here, but aren't crate motors just ones that have been salvaged and completely rebuilt to be sold? I've never really understood that.

basically, its like turning in a core brake booster when you get a new booster, except you don't have to turn in your old motor when you get the new one in this case

 

[Shran]

Gotcha. Good to know.

 

[grnrngr]

Used 4.0s run about $400 around here..and some are well used. With only 20k I'd be jumping on it. Don't forget to get all the other crap you need ..wiring harness, computer, etc...In fact, if he's asking "420" for it...hmmm....