Rebuild or Replace? '02 Ranger 4.0

[LLReb]

So I have a 2002 4.0 and im 90% sure it has a cracked head. Coolant smells like exhaust and keeps blowing radiators. I used some head gasket sealer in the coolant and that seemed to work for a couple months but its time for a permanent fix. The truck has about 270k miles on it so I was looking for some input on whether to to buy a new head and try to rebuild it or look for a used motor with lower miles.
I am also planning on replacing the timing chain along with all the guides and tensioners if I decide to keep this motor. Also would like to know what else I should look into replacing while I have the motor out.

Any input or ideas will help! Thanks!

 

[Andy D]

If I liked the truck, I would be cruising for a good used low mileage engine. Good hunting

 

[doorgunner]

If I liked the truck, I would be cruising for a good used low mileage engine. Good hunting

A. What would it cost for ALL the parts to do your PARTIAL rebuild & how much time would it take (also oil pump & water pump)?

B. What would a good used engine cost & how long would the swap take?

Which choice do you like best LLReb?

 

[LLReb]

A. What would it cost for ALL the parts to do your PARTIAL rebuild & how much time would it take (also oil pump & water pump)?

B. What would a good used engine cost & how long would the swap take?

Which choice do you like best LLReb?

From what I can tell they would cost about the same...($1000-$1500) A partial rebuild may even cost a little more. The only problem is finding a "good" used engine because you never know who owned it or what kind of maitenance was or wasn't done.

Time isnt really an issue as I have another vehicle in the meantime. A swap would be easiest and most likely cheapest. I am only afraid of running into the same issuses with a different engine. (cracked head, timing chain slap, etc...)

Thanks for the input! Giving me some things to kick around in the meanwhile.

 

[Andy D]

A. What would it cost for ALL the parts to do your PARTIAL rebuild & how much time would it take?

B. What would a good used engine cost & how long would the swap take?

Which choice do you like best LLReb?

Good points. After much thinking about this, I would prolly get sucked into doing this repair with a good used head, in my driveway at a snail's pace.

Granted ,its a OHC, but more head trouble again. WTF?