Need urgent help (Ford guys)

[tedness]

I drove to Orlando today to get a flight to be with my mom because of her declining health.

Well driving to the airport my car makes a loud pop and starts smoking like crazy and barely runs. Turns out I threw a rod into the oil pan and the whole engine needs replacing.

My folks are gonna loan me the money for it but here's the problem at hand.

- I owe money on the car, and a replacement v6 engine w/ labor & warranty here in Orlando is about $3-4k (so they say when we've called around)

- Selling the car w/o an engine won't make back what I owe on it so either way I owe money.

My question is, and realistically, what's my best bang for the buck option since I'm shelling out for a new engine anyway? Would a competent shop even be able to put any other engine in there w/o extensive re-wiring work? Or should I just put another v6 in it?

Edit: So basically I need to make some kind of decision in the next few days since it's in Orlando and I can't even have it towed to my house like if it were in Tally.

[Snow]

Cobra motor ftw...

1999, right?

Also, apparently the 97+f150 4.2 V-6 don't require much work to put in a 3.8 stang as the 4.2 is just a stroked version from what I understand.

Here's more info on the 3.8 to 4.2:
http://www.3.8mustang.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92629

[NotoriousGreaseMonkey]

How much do you owe on the car?

[tedness]

How much do you owe on the car?

roughly 3k.

No one is gonna buy a shell for 3k lol.

[Riceman]

drop in factory '99+ V6 is the best option. I don't know the minor differences between the years from '99+, but they should be minimal and all your stock stuff should work just fine, save the engine harness which should come with it.

All other options are much more costly. 3-4K is a little extreme IMO, a junk yard pull out should be fine. Your biggest problem is where your car is located right now, you are at the mercy of whoever you get to work on it :(

[Snow]

Did some reading on 3.8 to 4.6 conversion - tons o parts required, not worth it probably.

[tedness]

Your biggest problem is where your car is located right now, you are at the mercy of whoever you get to work on it :(

yea that's a real pita. i found an engine at MPS for $550 and i can't imagine it being an absurd amount for labor if i provide the engine.

i think i'll go that route and sell it off as soon as the engine is in there.

[T]

Rent a U-haul and a car hauler with it and bring it back home. Pull the engine and either rebuild it, or drop a used V-6 in it, or drop some sort of V8 small block in it.

Id imagine V6 motors in junkyards are plentiful and cheap. 3-4k is way too expensive.

[tedness]

Rent a U-haul and a car hauler with it and bring it back home. Pull the engine and either rebuild it, or drop a used V-6 in it, or drop some sort of V8 small block in it.

Id imagine V6 motors in junkyards are plentiful and cheap. 3-4k is way too expensive.

yea that was gonna be my next idea. (man, haven't seen you around these parts in a while)

but i think i've got the solution. found a place in o-town that just did one and gave me a quote of around $1900-$2000 and will have a 12 month/12k mile warranty with it. so at some point before the warranty is up the car will be off to a new owner.

[slmdLS1]

didnt brett move ot orlando?







:oopssign::whistle::gndig:

[BreBar21]

I am, but I'm not there yet.

[pat94cobra]

get crazy with it, stuff ina v10 + supercharger and nos...then you will be da man. forever.

[J8127]

step 1: place toaster in bathtub
step 2: fill bathtub with water
step 3: get in bath rub
step 4: turn on toaster

[sstony]

Rent a U-haul and a car hauler with it and bring it back home. Pull the engine and either rebuild it, or drop a used V-6 in it, or drop some sort of V8 small block in it.



that's the best solution.

[Mhiggs]

Rent a U-haul and a car hauler with it and bring it back home. Pull the engine and either rebuild it, or drop a used V-6 in it, or drop some sort of V8 small block in it.

Id imagine V6 motors in junkyards are plentiful and cheap. 3-4k is way too expensive.

I am going with this option as well. Always look for the "lesser of the two evils" This option is most likely it.

[vortechstang]

Actually, I have an '02 that has a good motor in it that I would sell. I could even do the swap for you. Hell, I could even tow the car here from Orlando.

[J8127]

Actually, I have an '02 that has a good motor in it that I would sell. I could even do the swap for you. Hell, I could even tow the car here from Orlando.

Why not just sell the 02 to him

[shock6791]

$1900-$2k sounds about right with parts and labor...

[vortechstang]

Why not just sell the 02 to him

Because it is wrecked.

[CCgt03]

lamotta's shop is in orlando...

[J8127]

Because it is wrecked.

touche'

[tedness]

eh, the final answer came down to it just getting the warranty engine in the end. too much of a hassle and not enough time to deal with anything else.

thanks for all the feedback though!

[SteedaRR]

cool... get it running man!! if the jamaicans can drive a bobsled than you can make it back .... YOU CAN DO IT

[Mhiggs]

As long as the Jamaican bobsled team isn't run by John Candy you are good.