I let my mother use my 2001 extra cab for a little over a month and in that time she ran her out of oil and kept going. Now I've got something nocking, and I really don't trust it. My question to everyone is whether i should just have the motor rebuilt or should I just drop a whole new motor in? I'm looking for all the pros and cons here. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks everyone in advance!

 

I'd get it diagnosed by a reputable shop before jumping to conclusions.

 

Really need to know what is causing the knock. It could be worn/spun bearing/s or a broken rod. A broken rod can do more damage because it keeps rotating with the crank. If you are capable you can drop the pan and have a look for yourself. If you are not sure take it to someone who does.

 

DEFINITELY time to trade in ol' mom...

 

Right now, the KBB value on moms are low, though.

 

MILFs values are still pretty high though..


all joking aside, did you tell your mom that the truck used oil and to keep an eye on it?? I mean to run it out of oil in a month sounds like plenum or old tired engine anyway ( you didn't mention mileage ) so it would be time for a replacement...


you could cheap out if its not a daily driver and drop the pan and replace all rod bearings bottom half of mains and a new high volume pump.. I did this with an old 318 I had back in early 80s and got another 100k out of it

 

Go to harbor freight and get an engine stethoscope. Run the engine for only a short time and figure out where the noise is coming from.

Knock could be rod or main bearings which can be replaced from below without pulling engine. On the other hand...

You might be able to get a good used engine for 500+- at a salvage yard-that is what I would do if the rods or mains are knocking as that is an indicator that problems likely await elsewhere.

 

The one question I have is why the engine ran out of oil. Did you know it regularly burned or leaked oil? If so, then loaning it to someone was not a good idea even though you explicitly instructed that person to regularly check the oil.

IMO, that knock is going to result in a broken rod in short order. My '97 5.2L rod developed a knock just a few months after I bought it with under 100K miles. I had vehicle snap a rod under similar conditions before, so I knew what would happen if I continued to drive it. I bit the bullet and yanked the engine for a full rebuild.

Long story short, stop driving it and just bite the bullet; otherwise, your repair bill will be much more than it could be already.

 

If the engine is trashed.... find a lower mile engine and just plop it in and call it a day. Low mileage as around 100k is about as good as your gonna get. These engines have pretty stout bottom engines.