Which would be cheaper rebuilting an engine or replacing?

Question

I have a 4.9L (ford) in a truck blown head gasket or cracked head I know its one or the other

Answer 1

An exchange long motor always works out cheaper than all the time and hassle of doing a rebuild. If it's only the head and the rest of the motor is okay, go for an exchange head if money is short. But in the long run an exchange motor is better, because it's all reconditioned and it'll have warranty on the whole thing, so you're covered for that.
And a lot of places will even arrange finance on a full exchange if you want.

Most places can do a full exchange the same day, which is important if you need your truck to make a living! And if you go for exchange, get the transmission serviced at the same time. If it's a manual, go for an exchange clutch and pressure plate (and thrust bearing); if it's an auto, a full service -- new filter, oil change, bands tightened.

Just a note -- seeing as it's got a head problem there may be cooling trouble, so go for a complete cooling system fix at the same time. New water pump (if not on the new motor), radiator clean out or exchange radiator, and full set of new hoses. That way your investment is protected. Pity to spend big bucks on a new motor then fry it because a hose or the radiator lets go. And they probably have to pull the radiator out anyway.

It sounds like a lot but it's cheaper to do it all at once -- then you don't have to worry for a long while.

Answer 2

It depends on how many miles are on the truck and wheither or not the block is busted. If the truck is relitavely low miles and the block is not cracked, you could possibly get away with just pulling off the heads and have them resurfaced, but if the block is cracked it is just about as cheap to just get a long block (W/heads) and replace the motor. If your block is ok, and one or both of the heads are cracked, you could conceivably get away with just replacing the head or heads. First you need to know what condition the engine block and heads are in. If you have to replace only one head, you will need to take both heads and have them both resurfaced. If you don't then it wil throw the engine's compression out of wack. If that engine has got aluminum heads, and it was extremely overheaded, you will need to replace both heads because they will be warped. If they are aluminum and they are not damaged carry them to the machine shop and see if they can possibly be reworked before purchasing new or used replacements. If you don't want to go through all of that work, just hunt around and pick up a good used engine.

Answer 3

If that is all that is wrong with your engine, then fixing this problem will be cheaper then replacing or rebuilding the engine. But since you will be spending approximately 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of replacing the engine to fix the current problem, you need to decide, based on the condition of the engine, if you should pony up the rest of the money to rebuild or not.

Answer 4

I got the head on our car done a while ago for AUD$1200, then a year or two later put an exchange engine in for AUD$1500. Then our next car was $2500 for new engine then $1300 for new head. From now on I think exchange engines are the way. I new a tradesman who never got his utility (truck) serviced but just changed oil and put new engine in every couple of years. It worked out cheaper.

Answer 5

you're burnin oil. in all hazard piston jewelry valve classes or the valves are not seating appropriate and oil's leaking into the combustion chamber. and it relies upon on climate you're able to do it your self or no longer. in case you are able to not sturdy success looking a extra low fee engine that may no longer in choose of an instantaneous rebuild. even nevertheless in case you replace the jewelry you be responsive to they are going to be sturdy and there is no longer that if ingredient while finding out to purchase a used motor from somebody then you definitely have no clue what you're getting. i might individually merely replace the jewelry if this is the subject. you ain't going to be responsive to until you tear her aside nevertheless yet with jewelry i might merely replace them particularly of going with a diverse used motor. in spite of this shops around right here do in contrast to doing jewelry because of the fact they are in a position to't make as lots money off of engine rebuilds because of the fact it takes a on the same time as. sturdy success with that subject nevertheless it ain't precisely a relaxing undertaking.

Answer 6

What year is the truck? Rebuilding is always cheaper, unless you can find one from a wreck (junkyard, auto recycler). Depending on the age of the truck is it worth it?

Answer 7

It would be cheaper to replace the head if you are sure the head is cracked . But to be sure the head would have to be magnafluxed at a shop.

Answer 8

if cost is the big deal, ck into a shortblock if motor is bad or a longblock if motor and head are both bad, sometimes they pay for the old block and head

Answer 9

the cheapest way is used,try blapauto.com,they salvage lots of ford trucks

Answer 10

You can get a rebuild from http://www.ccrengines.com/
and Emily, from that company, frequents the site.