[Gub28]

I am trying to figuer out what to do: rebuild the engine in the car (poor compression, lots of miles), or get a used engine and put in so I can drive it sooner. I have a very tight budget (1200), and I can do most of the labor myself, other than machine work.

So far I have located a used engine, non HO, that is in an 85 ford van. It is a rebuilt engine from Titan remanufactured engines with 18,500 miles on it. currently it is in a 85 Ford van. the person wants $500 for it, as a longblock. I have also found other engines, no H.O.'s , that range from $200 to $600. Most are hi miles.

The other option is to rebuild what I have. The motor is nothing special. a local machine shop told me they can do it, if I assemble it, for around $1200.

Please post your opinons, I want to be driving my 'stang, as it is hard to look at it just sitting there.
thanks

[EagleAutosports]

I personally know of an ad in the classifieds *ahem* that has a DSS rotating assembly for sale. All you would need is machine work on the block and you'd be set.

Overall, I say to do it right the first time which means to rebuild the engine from the bottom up. With an used engine, no telling what you could be getting and then half the engine's life is already over. I know it's hard to see your car sitting there but doing it right will save time, effort and expense not to mention possible near future headaches.

[Gub28]

Well, I decided to rebuild. I have a good crank, rods, and heads already. I am looking for a rebuild kit that has pistons, rings, gaskets, bearings (.030), etc... Anyway, any suggestions on where to get the kit? Also, thanks EagleAutosports for the reply and the heads up on the classified ad, I just don' need the entire rotating assembly.
thanks

[87stang 5.0]

summit racing has rebuild kits (.010 .020 .030) and i thing mustangsunlimited.com has a ring set, just shop around, there might be a rebuild kit in the classifides on this site

[NOGO50]

If you pick up an 87-95 stock roller out of a stang, you could slap it right in using an 85GT distributor, because the 85 GT's used a roller cam and still used the duraspark distributor. If you have any pick a parts near you , long blocks usually aren't that expensive. A friend of mine pick up one for $150, found in a early 90's T bird . But, it also depends on your goals. If you want a fast car, might be worth it to use your block and do a mild build up!