Rebuild or buy new?

teuky · 06-13-2008, 06:12 PM

Hey everyone, I'm going to start building my truck up pretty soon. It's a 76 Ford F-250 4x4 highboy. It's pretty much all stock, except for the flatbed. I know I'm going to completely redo the steering and suspension, as well as the wiring. I don't plan on going too in depth, since it's really only going to be used as a backup vehicle, and when I need to haul or tow something. My question is, would it be better to rebuild the motor, or buy a new motor? The current motor leaks quite a bit, but every old truck I've ever had leaked. I'm not sure how many miles on it, but I'd bet it's not the original motor. So, cost vs. value, what should I do?

liftedtrucks4me · 06-18-2008, 01:03 AM

If it was me and had the time I would rebuild it, bore it out and rebuild it to make it like new. I am currently doing it to a 351Windsor. If you don't have time for rebuilding, check out Jasper motors. I've heard they offer good deals and is way easier and might be a little bit more expensive.

Good Luck

03chevy · 06-18-2008, 06:14 AM

go ahead and rebuilt it

teuky · 06-18-2008, 11:30 PM

I've never rebuilt an engine before, just swapped a few out in the past. I don't have a whole lot of extra time, but more than that I don't have a place to work on it when it's convenient for me. I'm considering just taking it to a shop to have the work done for me, even though I know that's going to cost a bit more.

Moostang · 06-19-2008, 05:31 AM

If you don't have the experience, someone experienced to help you or the tools you may just want to buy a short or long block. Sometimes a complete rebuild could cost you more if you make a mistake or have to buy specialty tools. We personally rebuild, but when I was younger and didn't have the tools or time I went with a shortblock.

06-13-2008, 06:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
teuky Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	Rebuild or buy new? Hey everyone, I'm going to start building my truck up pretty soon. It's a 76 Ford F-250 4x4 highboy. It's pretty much all stock, except for the flatbed. I know I'm going to completely redo the steering and suspension, as well as the wiring. I don't plan on going too in depth, since it's really only going to be used as a backup vehicle, and when I need to haul or tow something. My question is, would it be better to rebuild the motor, or buy a new motor? The current motor leaks quite a bit, but every old truck I've ever had leaked. I'm not sure how many miles on it, but I'd bet it's not the original motor. So, cost vs. value, what should I do?

06-18-2008, 06:14 AM	#3 (permalink)
03chevy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: jax,fl Posts: 815	go ahead and rebuilt it __________________ A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste!

06-19-2008, 05:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Moostang Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Cali-4 Nye-Aye? Posts: 1,132	If you don't have the experience, someone experienced to help you or the tools you may just want to buy a short or long block. Sometimes a complete rebuild could cost you more if you make a mistake or have to buy specialty tools. We personally rebuild, but when I was younger and didn't have the tools or time I went with a shortblock. __________________ MEOW!! http://moostangproductions.com

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06-18-2008, 01:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
liftedtrucks4me Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southwest Virginia Posts: 62	If it was me and had the time I would rebuild it, bore it out and rebuild it to make it like new. I am currently doing it to a 351Windsor. If you don't have time for rebuilding, check out Jasper motors. I've heard they offer good deals and is way easier and might be a little bit more expensive. Good Luck

06-18-2008, 11:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
teuky Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2	I've never rebuilt an engine before, just swapped a few out in the past. I don't have a whole lot of extra time, but more than that I don't have a place to work on it when it's convenient for me. I'm considering just taking it to a shop to have the work done for me, even though I know that's going to cost a bit more.