New engine

[Travelingmommaof3]

I am considering purchasing a van that has spun a rod for what I think is a reasonable price $1500. I contacted Jasper and the base quote I received was for $4100 and then there were a whole bunch of other "fees" but I don't know what they are for. The quote per hour from the mechanic is $92. I was told it would take roughly 16 hours. I am in no rush and don't need it done until March/April.

This van has great bones. It is a 2002 Ford E350 Superduty 5.4l V8 gas engine. The odometer reads just over 100K miles. It is a hightop and has all terrain tires with 80% left.  I am told the transmission is fine but only a mechanic can confirm. I would need to tow it to the mechanic.

I know I can find a van for $6k that doesn't need work now but will more than likely need it in the future. 

Is this a smart move to replace the engine now and have peace of mind?

Do you think I can get a discount from the mechanic since I am not in a rush? 

Hoping for some great answers.

Thanks for all your help...

 

[Uncle Todo]

Well at least doing it now it won't come as a surprise later. But with regular maintenance I wouldn't expect that to happen on another van, especially around 100-150k on the odo.

 

[user 423]

I am told the transmission is fine but only a mechanic can confirm. I would need to tow it to the mechanic.

I know I can find a van for $6k that doesn't need work now but will more than likely need it in the future.

With the engine that would be ~$7500+ total. That's a lot for a 2002 IMHO although a full hightop is more valuable.

I know there are tests that can be done in the shop to check a transmission but would that be good as a test drive to confirm the trans is good? HDR or others might be able to answer that. If not, it might be chancy to take the owner's word for it.

Is the seller the original owner? If the engine failed with only 100k on it, you have to wonder if it was maintained at all.

You also would wonder if the trans received any maintenance.

Or is it being sold by someone who owns a shop and has owned it for a short time. Maybe claimed for unpaid repair bills. Ask him how long he's owned it and if the title is in his name or is an "open" title.

 

[Uncle Todo]

Yeah, is it running at all? I'm no transmissionologist, but if it's not running I don't think they can do more than a visual and fluid check. If the fluid is clean that is a good sign though.

 

[Freelander]

I personally would pass on it, at 100K miles the transmission would be the next thing to go, and that could easily be another $2500 to replace it, not the mention the brakes, front suspension etc.

 

[highdesertranger]

wasn't this posted here already? anyhow few thoughts,

$4,100.00 is way expensive for a rebuilt engine. as a comparison a brand new GM 5.7L cost about $2,000 that's a brand new not a rebuilt with a 3 year 30,000 mile warranty. I am not sure what a brand new Ford engine costs but If I were you I would look into it. when I had a shop we would not ever use Jasper, to many problems. I am curious does this rebuilt have the new and improved heads?

highdesertranger

 

[Freelander]

To me a Van with a bad motor isn't worth more than $500.

 

[highdesertranger]

"To me a Van with a bad motor isn't worth more than $500."

very true. it would have to be something exceptional. 500 might even be to much.

highdesertranger

 

[user 423]

$4,100.00 is way expensive for a rebuilt engine.  as a comparison a brand new GM 5.7L cost about $2,000 that's a brand new not a rebuilt with a 3 year 30,000 mile warranty.  I am not sure what a brand new Ford engine costs but If I were you I would look into it. 

TravellingMomof3:  I should have mentioned this earlier. You should get better answers to your questions on a Ford forum.

They will have more accurate info on what to expect on Ford products:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/forum128/

Also:

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=warranty+on+ford+factory+crate+engine?

 

[Freelander]

One thing I would check out on it, is the front end. The Twin I-Beam was hard on tires and steering boxes. I was never a Ford fan, but the Twin I-Beam was probably one of the worse things Ford ever produced. About the only goof thing about is, the turning radius is smaller than a Chevy.

 

[user 423]

With the engine that would be ~$7500+ total.

Oops. Math a little off. Still, $7000+

 

[Travelingmommaof3]

The seller is the second owner and has owned it for 4 years. He states that the previous owner was putting the wrong oil in it and that was the reason for the spun rod. I don't know much about engines but does it take 4 years for that to happen?

 

[Freelander]

If you put the wrong weight of oil in, yes it can happen very quickly. Either too thick or too thin.

 

[Travelingmommaof3]

Thank you all, these are the answers I was hoping for.

I am curious though, is it worth $1k to salvage the hightop for another van? How much could I get to junk the van?

 

[highdesertranger]

scrap prices are pretty low right now. I would suggest you call the junk yards and ask what they will give you. I would imagine they wouldn't give you more that 200 bucks and only that much if the catalytic converter is there.

BTW keep in mind the high tops are make and model specific. so the high top will have to go on the same model Ford. not A Chevy or Dodge.

highdesertranger

 

[Freelander]

Unless you can find a used engine for it, and some friends to help install it. I still wouldn't spend very much on it, I wouldn't think book value wouldn't be more than $4000 for it.

I just sold a 1999 GMC hightop for $4000 and it only booked out at $3000, it had 128,000 miles and all the bells and whistles on it, the tranny had less than 10,000 miles of it, the front brakes and fuel pump were both brand new.

 

[user 423]

I am curious does this rebuilt have the new and improved heads?

Good question.

 

[Freelander]

I seems Ford has problems with the Spark Plugs stripping out the holes. Also after researching the 5.4 l, the knocking could be caused by the VVT (Variable Valve Timing) system.

 

[Knox Al]

My understanding is that Jasper rebuilds are hit and miss. Some good, some bad, no way to tell.

 

[nature lover]

I only had one experience with a jasper rebuild it was in a 91 Ford pick up with a large engine cost me over $5000. It ran well for 5000 miles then my son tore the electronic 4x4 transmission out of it and since it was four wheel drive electronic I couldn’t afford to replace it too. So that Jasper sits in a junkyard today. You’re either slave to the bank for a new one or slave to the mechanic for an old one unless you can do the work yourself.