To crate or to rebuild

[malsup83]

Rings are shot. Got a shop quoting me about 8,000 for a crate motor and labor. 5,400 for the crate motor. Anyone think I should find another shop to hone cylinders and rebuild existing motor. I've recently done a lot of top end work on it.

Not sure if that would be a cheaper route. Or good companies with cheaper crates

 

[tidefan1967]

Personally I would rebuild it. How many miles on it?

 

[malsup83]

Close to 210,000

 

[jws123]

Close to 210,000

What went bad? I backyard rebuilt mine at 190k when cam went still running new rings bearings seals ect.

 

[crash68]

wouldn't hurt to find out how much it will be to have the lower half rebuilt and compare that to what a crate motor costs. Factor in what the rebuild and crate motor warranties are.
If you get a better warranty with the crate motor it might be worth a couple extra $$ up front if anything goes south

 

[malsup83]

Rebuilt top end short runner in the intake went out. Valve were ducking into the heads. So. Threw on new heads, push rods and rockers. Blow by is horrible. Starting to run down the outside of the air box and white smoke coming out where you add oil

 

[jws123]

Rebuilt top end short runner in the intake went out. Valve were ducking into the heads. So. Threw on new heads, push rods and rockers. Blow by is horrible. Starting to run down the outside of the air box and white smoke coming out where you add oil

My opinion I would Just take it out throw a set of rings and bearings in it re seal it up and drive it til it doesn't drive no more ahaha No need to put brand new crate engine in a truck with 210k that's why I rebuilt mine cost about $1300 but that's just me

 

[James OBrien]

Personally I like the approach of taking your block, and knowing the quality of the work being done on it yourself. With a rebuild you'll have it properly line honed, can have the cylinders over-bored, have everything balanced, cleaned, and freshened up, and can do things like customize your compression ratios/deck heights etc. The downside is it does take more involvement, especially re-building/re-freshing the heads, but if you like to tinker it's a fun process and you know exactly what you're going to get. I just rebuilt mine completely and put a rotating assembly in the short block for about 4,500 with machining.

 

[malsup83]

I would try it myself if I had the time. I like learning and it gives me a reason to buy new tools. Plus, I can always teach my son in the future once he's old enough. He's six and always helps me change oil and gets me tools I need

 

[Wild one]

I would try it myself if I had the time. I like learning and it gives me a reason to buy new tools. Plus, I can always teach my son in the future once he's old enough. He's six and always helps me change oil and gets me tools I need

Price out a rebuilt short block,i think even Ma Mopar has short blocks if you were inclined to go with a reman short block.