Rebuild or Buy Used

[Beef52751]

I spun a bearing in the lower end in my 99 Ranger 4x4 with a 3.0....i have been lookin at used motors for it but i had one of the mechanics at work call the place that rebuilds our motors for us and they said $1400 with a new crank, oil pump, ect. a used motor with 100,000miles on it and 3-10hours drive is at the cheapest $600...what would you do???
Thanks
Beef

 

[Beef52751]

Anyone???

 

[atvoutlaw]

sell that bitch and buy your self another one, unless the one you have is in really nice shape or has some nice work done to it.
just my little opinon

 

[Mark_88]

I would say rebuild if you can afford it...if you put in a used motor it may be OK for a long time or it could have similar problems...get a warranty with the rebuild (usually 3 months)...that would give you time to break it in and make sure it's ok...

I put a used 2.3 short block in my Ranger and didn't really get much use out of it before the head cracked...it really is a tough call...just depends on factors like how much do you have to spend and is the rest of the truck in good shape...you could almost buy a used truck for what you will pay for the engine...

My 2¢ worth...

 

[MrE_Powers]

probably lost your cam position sensor. http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=203433

it seems with this part the more expensive the better
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=222238

if you keep up on maintenance such as this, a used motor will last a long time.

 

[snake]

You can get an engine a hell of a lot cheaper than that, with less mileage (at least around here) Try car-parts.com and see for yourself. I've only looked in the TX section tho, but lots cheaper and some have really low miles. They will ship it to you for not tons of money.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you spun a main bearing I wouldn't reuse the block.

 

[Beef52751]

I was looking at motors on Car-Part.com and thats the prices i got.
I dont think it was the main bearing(dont know yet) i hope and think it is just a rod bearing.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Keep looking for a used one. I've seen them as low as $200, under 100,000 miles. 3.0s don't sell very often, the yards are dying to get rid of them.

 

[Bent Bolt]

Keep looking for a used one. I've seen then as low as $200, under 100,000 miles. 3.0s don't sell very often, the yards are dying to get rid of them.

+ 1 . Wreckers are full of them. 3.0L don't blow up very often.

 

[Will]

Definately get a used motor. Most are good for 350,000 miles. I would never rebuild a motor on such a common and contemporary vehicle.

Are you sure a main bearing spun? That seems impossible on a factory engine. One in a million that a main would fail hard enough to tear the tits off and allow it to spin. Cam bearings are the common thing that spin and that's because people change them without the proper tools. If it did spin, an engine isn't wasted. The mill a slight amount off the caps and can align hone it while retaining original deck height. It's commonly done on engines being built for competition using seasoned blocks as normal use causes the block to relax and settle.

If you love your truck, fill the motor with oil and tuck it away in the barn and buy a used one.