Lower mileage stock replacement or forged motor.

[05gtowner]

Now here is the question which would you choose if you goal was a stock replacement with an emphasis on reliability to get me through the next 100K miles like my stock motor did? Money is a factor but I want to do it right the first time. The stock motor currently in the car was good to me for the 33K miles I have had it but I bought the car with 94K miles on the odometer and who knows how the previous owner maintained it which is why I am having issues right now. (PO didn't change the oil as often as he was supposed to and sludge build up in the top end has killed the cams)

I found a completely stock 2007 30K mile takeout engine to replace the failing stock motor in my 2005 for $2400 with a 24 month warranty from a recycler. I also have the option of rebuilding my current motor with the following specs: Refurbish my cast steel 3.543 crankshaft. New 4340 ultra light I beam rods. Forged Manley pistons. Speed Pro Moly Rings. Clevite or Federal mogul bearings. New FRPP oil pump. Internal digital balance. Refurbish my heads with all stock components. All for $4K for the removal and installation and one year warranty included. Only extras not included are the phasers and clutch kit which I will be supplying above and beyond the $4K. All in at $4650 with the timing kit and stock replacement clutch. The builder has a good reputation locally with modular motors.

 

[thump_rrr]

In my opinion that's a lot of money to spend on a used motor unless you are not mechanically inclined at all.

You can probably pick up a used motor from someone on the forum for around $1,500.

 

[05gtowner]

No I am pretty mechanically inclined. I have looked on the forums and locally and I can't find anything that isn't under 80k and arranging shipping myself is a big pain in the ass. I don't mind doing the work myself as far as removing and installing but I don't have the specialty tools for a complete rebuild. The used motor is right at 30,000 miles and $1995 but for another $400 you can add on a 2 year warranty. So technically I can get the motor for 2k if I take it with the included 6mo warranty.

 

[saleen07gt]

You might be better off with another motor. If the oil wasn't changed and you've got sludge build up, How are the cam journals in the heads, cam followers etc... ? If you forge your bottom end and buy a new set of head you would end up with a nice motor.

 

[05gtowner]

Cam caps looked scarred. As do some of the cam lobes. My worry about rebuilding it is if they start tearing into it and I can't reuse my old heads that is another cost to add to the $4,000. I have been down this road before in high school years ago with the 427 in my Chevelle. By the time it was all said and done I was $7,000 into a $3500 rebuild. Haha. On the other hand when I rebuilt the 350 in my 86 K10 I found it to be cheaper and easier to get a GM 260HP crate engine from Jegs for $1500 delivered. That one was on budget. I just can't afford right now (bathroom and patio renovation currently mid way) to go way over budget but this car is my daily driver so I need to have it up and running asap.

 

[SSPSTANGBANGER]

check this out
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-4-6L-3...Parts_Accessories&hash=item4adced4433&vxp=mtr

or this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/05-06-FORD-...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f43479a5b&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-06-FOR...Parts_Accessories&hash=item25a12f7abb&vxp=mtr

 

[05gtowner]

He is a member on here. In fact I already contacted him a week or two ago. Seems like a good guy but what the ebay ad leaves out is that he was running this stock longblock with forced induction and at the power levels he was pushing it to I consider that the limits of the stock rods. I would have to hear and see it running in order to be comfortable with it and in its current condition it isn't http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=105514&highlight=longblock
Thank you for the lookup though I really do appreciate it.

Hmm the third one is a only a few miles away from where I work. I will hit him up about the mileage of it. Thanks for the lookup.