Still havent pulled the motor yet. I was thinking....and I want your all's input on this, all of the motorheads. Here are my options:

A: Drop the oil pan and replace the bearings.
B: Pull the motor and rebuild the bottom half.
C: Buy a used motor and drop it in.
D: Buy a slightly beefed up but still cheap crate motor adn drop it in.

My situation is....I don't want to sink a whole lot of money into this thing but I do want a little bit extra pep, nothing extreme or over the top cause it's my daily driver. I'm not a motorhead and don't even know how to pull a motor, Im havin a buddy help me. What would be the best options to explore? Did I leave any options out? Where can I find a cheap motor?

LOL....yea im askin a lot. But thanks guys, you're the best!

 

It all depends on dollars and time.

The least expensive route would be to drop the crank, have it turned at the machine shop and put new bearings in and go. New oil pump and timing chain!!

My thought on that one is if you go to the trouble to drop the crank, might as well check for wear on the cylinders and maybe pull the pistons and get new rings. While it's out, might as well clean the heads up. While your at it might as well get a set of roller rockers and that new cam. That new intake would be sweet too. Maybe that stroker kit would be the way to go???? How much was that crate motor?

It's a can of worms once you open it..........

 

Wow, those are the exact things that ran through my head in that exact order. I'm wantin to keep it as simple as possible if I do any rebuilding.

 

If you want to keep it simple and fast I would buy a crate motor and put it in. It will have a warranty and piece of mind that its new.

If you get a used motor like I did your buddies may not want to help you swap it more than once. If the used motor goes up than you'd be in that position.

 

that dont sound like a bad idea. anybody know where i can get a crate motor under 1500?

 

Ok, drained the oil out today and there was twisted metal and bearings in there. I doubt this can be rebuilt, what do yall think?

I can get a crate long block for 1700 after core, any cheaper ones out there?

 

have you actually dropped the oil pan yet to take a look at the bottom end? if all you found were some small metal shavings in the oil, chances are the motor may still be rebuildable. this 1700.00 long block you found, is it a new mopar factory unit or a parts store reman.?if its a reman. you would still be better off rebuilding your motor, if its not hurt too bad, in my opinion. i don't know anyone thats had much good luck with parts store remanufactured engines. with engines and parts you will get what you pay for.

 

there were parts of the bearings from the crankshaft that came out of the oil pan....

the long block comes remanned with a 150K 3 year warranty

 

You might try to get in touch with VWandDodge and find out what he had in rebuilding his motor. I have connections since I work at a shop, but I would like to think that you could stretch $1700 a little further than just a long block.

 

actually i jsut got one heck of a deal from an auto parts store.... 1500 for a long block with 150,000 mile 3 year warranty. not bad. =)