New rebuilt, used engine, or repair

[RocketUSA]

I've got a 1999 Silhouette with 126K. It's had problems, pulled the engine to find worn cam bearings, worn cam, worn crankshaft...pretty much all of it's worn down on the bottom. It hasn't spun cam bearing though. Here are my choices:

New rebuilt long block with warranty: $4200+
Used Motor: $2500-2800
Partial rebuild on current motor: $2500-2800

What does everyone think?

[merc81]

What's wrong with a rebuilt long block for $1880 and a 100k/5 year warranty?

If you do any sort of web search you will find that $1900 is pretty much the going price for the long block and that includes shipping. Your choices then are all about warranty and trust.
I have purchased two longblocks so far; I see it as an investment in what amounts to a new car with a better warranty than I could get from any dealer.

So long as you know you can keep the rest of the van up to standard, I'd go with a longblock replacement anytime.
John

[rockwood84]

$4200.00 sounds high on a crate motor. but if your going to keep it awhile then put a crate motor in it. but shop around you can beat the $4200.00

[RocketUSA]

These prices are "installed." I don't have the facility to be able to this particular job myself. The cost also includes a little work prior to the engine pull.

[rockwood84]

ok $2000.00 for crate motor $1200.00 labor. if you want to do anything to the transmission now would be a good time since they should have pulled it too. but with the rebuilt motor you shouldn't have to worry about it for at least 100,000 miles.

[merc81]

Rockwood84 is right. Even installed, its sounds too high. If the engine costs 1900 (they do, its hard to find them for much more) then you are paying over $2k for the install. Heck, too bad you don't live near Pitt. pa, I'd do the engine and the front struts + wheel bearings & rotor/brake pads & ball joints (may as well do all while you're in there) for $1000 labor. We'd both be happy. Changing out the engine isn't that bad a job to collect over 2k for it.

['97ventureowner]

I'd stay away from used engines for these vans. The 3400 witrh it's problems are hust too much to take a chance on. Spend a little more and either get the longblock or crate engine. A few years back when I had a problem with one of my vans,good "used" 3400s were very hard to find and I was told there was a good reason for that.