Hi all- I've driven my '73 Maverick for the past 3 years, bought off an owner who had poured a lot of love into fixing her up. Unfortunately, I don't have the time nor the skills to do the work myself, and now the engine needs to be rebuilt or replaced. I'm kinda mechanically-challenged, if you must know. So my mechanic says rebuild the engine- and I trust him, he's been good to me. But I can't really afford the $3900 he's quoting me right now. What do you guys think about dropping in a new one? And what do you think that would run me? As soon as I can figure out how, I'll post a picture of her (she's a beaut). -Tim
For 3900 you could probably find a new crate 302. What engine does your car currently have in it? To post pics, click the Manage Attachments button, then click browse. Find the picture on your computer, double click it and hit upload.
$3900???? Is he rebuilding into a nice 350HP Stroker race engine or is that for a standard rebuild? That is way too much for just a standard rebuild ... For that price you could buy this one with free shipping and pay him to install it ... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/302-Ford-Engine-with-TrickFlow-Heads-Free-SH_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33615QQitemZ7995811009QQrdZ1
You mechanic has a very profitable business at those rates. If you know anybody, you can usually get a Jasper remanufactured long block for less than $2000. It comes with a 3 year, 75,000 mile, parts and labor warrenty. A direct motor swap can easily be done in 4-6 hours.
No racing engine, just a standard rebuild. Yeah, I was seeing new engines for around $2000 too. His implication was that in the long run it was better to rebuild the current engine because the car was used to it. I respect him and know he wanted to do what's best for the car- I don't think he was trying to gauge me. But since money's an issue for me, the $2000 option seems a lot more attractive right now... So you guys think putting in a new engine is the right way to go? I can't post my picture because it's too big, evidently...
i don't think we are saying "get a new engine" we are saying you could get one for less than what he is quoting you...i got my 302 rebuilt (long block) for $675 and i put it in...$1,200 to $1,500 would be a more real price...JMO...frank... p.s. i would also suggest to get a diff. mechanic to do the work.
you can get a rebuilt long block from autozone for somewhere around $750-$800 i believe. i haven't checked for a while. give them a call.
My understanding is that the car is a 6 banger with low compression, the best bet for low ball cash would be a used engine with a valve job, there's a place in San Mateo that would do it for you, drop it off and take the train back to SF, come back when the job is done, and be a happy camper for saving 2 grand.
The car is used to the engine? LOL! Thats a good one. I'd bust out laughing, give him a pat on the back, shake his hand and get the hell out of there.
Thanks for the advice, guys. Tom, what's the name of the place in San Mateo? It is a shame- I would be reacting the way you guys are too upon hearing the quote from my mechanic, but I've been going to him for years and I trust him completely. I think he just doesn't trust anyone else's work unless he knows them, and this is the quote he was getting from the place he contracts with for complete rebuilds. THAT SAID, you're totally confirming my suspicions, which is why I sought your advice. I'm sure he's right that I need a new engine, and it sounds like there's no reason I shouldn't drop a new one in there rather than spend double rebuilding the broken one. Thanks-T
Oh, and by the way- while I'm at it, should I supe it up to an 8-cylinder? How much more would that run, and would it decrease the gas mileage? Forgive me, masters, I am but a learner...
Swapping to a V8 (302) will definately make your gas mileage decrease. It depends on what you want to do with the car really. For a daily driver, and with gas prices the way they are right now, I'm perfectly happy with my 250 straight 6. If your wanting to have a little fun, then V8 all the way. But your gas mileage will definately suffer like I said, and you gotta factor in more then just the cost of the engine when changeing over. You will have to get new frame and motor mounts, a rebuilt transmission would be a good idea, not to mention you would have to get a new exaust system installed among other little odds and ends. Just depends on what your willing to spend and what you want to get out of the car.
