I have a 2003 1500 SLT Crew cab with the 5.7 motor, 20" wheels, power just about everything. The motor just went. It has 98000 miles and in decent shape.
New motor is quoted at around $6600. Edmunds has it at about that for a private sale.
Also, it's 230 miles from where I live. It's in Eden, NC right now.
Any ideas on what to do- put the money into and sell, sell as a rolling chassis, part it out, etc.
Thanks for any input.
Regards,
mike

 

its a shame that dodge never fixed the issues with the 2003 hemi and put out a recall

 

Im curious on what happened to the engine?

As for the resolution, have you looked into freshening the engine or rebuilding it? I always see engines on sale on CL.

Tell us what happened with yours and how bad it is and maybe we can help.

 

The only glaring issue I see with the '03 Hemi (and some of the very early '04s) is with the springs. I'm assuming you had a spring go? If that's the case, any damage should be confined to that particular cylinder. A rebuild will save you tons over another engine.

But yeah, I'd like to know exactly what went in the engine...

 

As for the cause, part stupidity- or maybe all.
In almost 8 years of ownership I've never had to add oil and oil change interval was usually between 5 and 10k miles. Someone else had been driving it for several months so I'm not sure if an oil change was missed. End result- lack of oil.
Since I know it was stupid on my part for not checking the oil more often, please limit comments regarding my stupidity.

What's it worth as it is now?

 

hey derb it happens to the best of us. no need to feel bad. just sorry to heard that this happend to you. im sure you can find a engine on CL or somewhere local for a good price...but a rebuild shouldnt be that hard to do

 

Check local salvage yards. You may be able to get a decent, low mileage engine for a good price and many of them will install them and give you a small warranty as well.
If you like the truck, even at $6600 it would be cheaper than another truck and you know what you have, so if it was me, I would replace the engine and keep on truckin'.

 

Don't feel bad, I borrowed my LAST escort wagon to a good family friend, and it came back after they put out the fire. I checked the oil while doing a walk around before deciding to rebuild and sell it, guess what, it was 2 1/2 qts down. Wouldn't be so bad, but it was parked at my house almost every day. Sometimes a person just doesnt think about everything.

 

didnt u get a low oil light?

 

A rebuild is the way to go and look for a good Mexican-owned shop to do the work since they're far more knowledgeable about recycling or re-using older car parts than American mechanics, who only know how to put in a new one. I had a 460 Ford that I kept for 12 years before switching to a Ram diesel, and when the Ford motor konked out after 220,000 miles I got a rebuild that turned it into a 470 Ford in Denver for $2500. The shop was American-owned but the owner drove down to Mexico whenever he needed mechanics because he swore they were far better rebuilders than any Americans he could find around here.