4.7 Engine Swap vs. Rebuild

[BlazersandWildcats]

I have a 2003 4.7 nearing 200,000 miles. The truck is used daily as a landscaping truck and pulls a trailer day in and day out 7-days a week. The truck is still in running condition, but as the days go by it seems to get rougher, burn more oil, and I can tell the engine is on the decline. I'm not planning to do it within the next few days, rather I'm hoping to ride it out the rest of the season (Landscaping) then in the winter when I have nothing but time doing a complete overhaul.

Now my options and my budget. I'm looking to spend about $2,000.00 (MAX) on parts (excluding) labor. I can get an Air-Ram complete rebuild kit for around $850.00 plus the oil pan gasket, I'm looking at $900.00 on parts. Which is by far within my budget. (HOWEVER) as I mentioned earlier, I pull a trailer day in and day out, and there's times I wish for more power. I think pulling the trailer would be much easier with that Hemi.


My other route is to find a Hemi engine from a pick and pull or scrap yard. I'm stumped between ordering the rebuild kit or swapping for a Hemi engine. In the long run, I think the price could possibly be cheaper for the Hemi and I would probably be happier, but I'm worried about getting a bad engine when I could have rebuilt the 4.7 and had a nearly brand new engine. Rough estimate, I'm thinking 1k for a wrecked hemi engine, $700.00 for the swap. Or $900.00 for the rebuild kit and guys are wanting about $2k to do the whole rebuild kit. The labor is obviously much cheaper on the engine swap then the complete rebuild.

Choices, choices, choices? Now that I explained my situation, to my questions. Would would be a good price to pay for a wrecked 5.7 engine/wiring harness so I don't over-pay for one? I'm hoping to find one with less then 75k if I go that route. If I buy a 5.7 from a scrap yard should I go ahead and do the head gasket while it's out of the truck or run it as is?

Looking for some solid advice and direction on which way to go and some solid numbers so I don't over-spend on the project.

 

[RonJon '06]

IMO if you want to stay within in your budget then get the 4.7 rebuild kit. Next choice would be buying a remanufactured 4.7L for around 3K. If you like the idea of having a 5.7L Hemi for towing then I would trade in your truck for a used truck with a Hemi already in it. Last on the list would be the 4.7/5.7 swap. It's really expensive and no guarantee the truck would be running right for you in the Spring when you'll need it again.

 

[dodge dude94]

Swap a Hemi.

 

[BlazersandWildcats]

IMO if you want to stay within in your budget then get the 4.7 rebuild kit. Next choice would be buying a remanufactured 4.7L for around 3K. If you like the idea of having a 5.7L Hemi for towing then I would trade in your truck for a used truck with a Hemi already in it. Last on the list would be the 4.7/5.7 swap. It's really expensive and no guarantee the truck would be running right for you in the Spring when you'll need it again.

I appreciate your honest and solid advice, really. I think I would have peace at mind with the rebuild kit, and it is relatively cheap for the kits at $900.00. The only back breaker is when it comes to labor. I have basic mechanical experience with auto's, but am not all inclined enough to tackle a rebuild. I would be happy re-building the engine, but I know labor is going to be pricey. As far as the hemi swap, I was thinking it might be a pain in the rear and could run into some issues I wasn't ready for. Selling my truck and buying a hemi is up there on the list, but I wouldn't be spending a lot, which would put me in the higher mileage hemi's, where I'm afraid I'll wind up in the same situation I'm in by the end of next year. Looks like I have some serious decisions to make. It would be nice if I could get right down to the issue and just find out what's causing my 4.7 to burn so much oil. My wife took it to Jiffy Lube to have it changed for me while I was in Houston, came back and it was about 1/2 to 3/4 a quart too high. I drained a bit out and got it leveled out, but didn't catch it after a week. Would this cause me to burn more oil?

 

[RonJon '06]

If it started burning oil after it was overfilled then I guess it could have affected your seals but more likely its just normal wear at 200K miles. It's a tough decision, trade in or rebuild. A couple members here have recently opted for the remanufactured engine and have been happy with it.

 

[BlazersandWildcats]

If it started burning oil after it was overfilled then I guess it could have affected your seals but more likely its just normal wear at 200K miles. It's a tough decision, trade in or rebuild. A couple members here have recently opted for the remanufactured engine and have been happy with it.

I think what it boils down to is time. By end of work season, I'll have plenty of money stored away for the winter. During that time I think it will boil down to whatever I can find the best deal on a 5.7 truck in good condition or a re manufactured 4.7. Would you have any suggestions of good websites to check out for the best deal on reman engines?

 

[BlazersandWildcats]

I'm not sure if the prices still apply, but I found a previous thread talking about City Motor Supply and the price on a 4.7 Reman being $2,027.00, which is by far the cheapest I've found. They have a location in Dallas and San Antonio, which is within truck and trailer distance to me, especially San Antonio, I'm there quite often. Engine Swaps labor wise around here seem to be relatively inexpensive ranging from $500. - $700.


The core at City Motor Supply is $350.00. Now shouldn't I be able to get more by selling my 4.7 outright to someone prepared to rebuild? I looked for one on CL when thinking about rebuilding and I'm seeing them go around $1k around here on average, some for $1,500. for good running engines. If I went that route, it looks like I would be better to sell out right.

I'm highly contemplating going that route. $2027. bucks for a re manufactured could engine possibly give me another 150,000+ miles again. Where as if I were to buy a Hemi within my budget it would more then likely be higher mileage 100k+ and there's no guarantee to the life left in that thing.

I could never afford a new truck, (I could, just couldn't get financed) and my wife is still in Veterinarian School, a new truck is out of the question. So I like the idea of the rebuilt or re manufactured engine and being able to maintain it to MY STANDARDS and knowing how well it is taken care of as oppose to buying a used truck and not knowing how well it was serviced, and I highly doubt to my "Care Standards."

 

[RonJon '06]

Here, check out this thread:

http://www.ramforum.com/f50/full_rebuild_-_buy_kit_buy_individual_parts-50824/index2.html

 

[RonJon '06]

Since you're an '03 you have the 545-rfe so if you put in a reman you should be solid for quite a while.

 

[BlazersandWildcats]

Here, check out this thread:

http://www.ramforum.com/f50/full_rebuild_-_buy_kit_buy_individual_parts-50824/index2.html

I've been following that thread since this am. I seen accurate motors listed in there. I did some deep research into them hehe. I read many reviews with bad experiences on them and them not standing behind their products. I'm going to call the City Motors and confirm a price with them and try and dig up some more information on their "remanucatured" or rebuilding process. As far as the tranny, I'm not too concerned with. I plan to take it one step at a time. My main concern is the engine. I'm sure the tranny will go at a later time pulling a big trailer and equipment all the time, but that will be next year or the year after. If I get the biggest problem out of the way I'll have less to worry about in the future, right? I've done put a lot of money into the truck, hence another reason I don't want to take a chance on a used truck. Just in the past six months I've put all new brakes (rotors and pads), tires, shocks, ball joints and control arms, steering rack and pinions, intake, and more into this truck. If I buy another truck I won't ever get the money back for any of that.

 

[Durtmvr]

Keep that 4.7

I just turned 440,000 miles on my 4.7. It's getting weak on power now. Doesn't leak oil. All I've replaced on it is tps, map, belt, 3 ac fans, idler pulleys, spark plugs (once), water pump and hoses @420k miles and the fuel pump 4 times and probably 4 or 5 batteries. Had to rebuild the trans @ 425k miles. I pull a 24' Flatbed regularly loaded to the hilt, a 22' trash trailer and a 29' fifth wheel. I have used and abused it to death. After putting overloads and bags on three rear suspension I've hauled 2 pallets of singles in the bed of the truck. I seldom change the oil on time (usually 5-10k). Never serviced the trans once. Only added 2 quarts of atf the whole time I've owned it. I bought it in November 2008 with 38k miles. The best truck I've ever owned! Probably the last! Don't know anyone with a hemi that can say that! Keep the 4.7.

 

[hotkarl]

^^^^^^
Holy ****!

 

[ST-8]

Considering this thread is 2 years old I'm sure he's made a decision already

 

[xb1230]

Not sure if Blazer is still on the forum, but I'd be curious to see what he ended up doing?

 

[HemiLonestar]

Not sure if Blazer is still on the forum, but I'd be curious to see what he ended up doing?

Almost four years later lol