What to do.....what to do?

[Fishaholic]

So my trucks motor is pretty hagard. 2.3 lt 4 cyclinder in a 84 for ranger. I need to rebuild it or buy a new engine. A rebuild kit is 250 bucks. A new rebuild motor will run me 1200 bucks. Not sure what to do.  Please no negitive comments about fords please. I rather push a ford then ride in a dodge .    I have never rebuild a engine before. I have done a motor swap.  Any advice?

[wildmanoutdoors]

Considering the money for the rebuild kit, hot tank and re-bore as well align bore for crank, machine head and regrind valve seats, ect, ect might just go with the 1200 dollar option.

By the way, I love my Ford! 280,000 and still going strong!

[ICEMAN]

A rebuild kit may be $250, but you are looking at a whole lot more to rebuild that engine.

With no experience rebuilding engines, I would advise you to take a second job or what ever is necessary to either buy a good used block and drop it in, or pay someone else to rebuild your engine. I would not take it on if you have not done this before. Are you fully tooled up to perform a rebuild? etc...

[rtspring]

Been there done that!  If its not a hotrod, where we love to take time and turn wrenches. I would just buy the new motor! Way easier in the long run! 

[Skillet]

Agreed on all of the above.  ESPECIALLY if you really need to be to work on time.  Buy an old nova or mustang and play with that motor to learn the ropes.  Or, better yet, make friends with someone with an old nova or mustang...

[Fishaholic]

Yeah I think I am going to get a new motor and then keep the one I pull and then I can learn to rebuild  it with no hurry and I can get all the tools. I have a good tool set but not all the tools to rebuild a engine. I do have a good manual. lol   I need to at least do the valve covers they started to leak after it sat for 5 years.