Refurb, rebuild, or used?

[pacstud]

The 2.5 Lima is a pretty robust and simple engine. If you can get the replacement refurbished and built, you should be good for a long time. There is a reason that engine got used in a lot of commercial equipment.

$1,000 seems steep but it has been more than 14 years since I replaced the engine in the 1998 that I had for $300 at about the same number of miles. So, prices are going to go up, whether I/we like it or not.

If I use the junkyard search engine, blocks go as low as $250, but that's just with a grade, no mileage, and they generally aren't pulled, much less shipped. It is steep, but "bring a trailer" rust heaps are being listed at 2-3K!!!

I am going to check the big city of Lincoln this Friday on the off chance they have a 2.5 Lima. What's hilarious, is there are three things I really want:

Extended cab
Manual transmission
2.5

My coworker has his "Red Rocket" 2000 Ranger with....extended cab, stick shift, 2.5. Only 190K miles.

He won't sell