Do I put in a new engine?

[Rod.]

My mechanic opened up the motor on my '97 and the crankshaft bearings are shot.

My options are to find a donor, buy a new short block from Subaru and rebuild it using pieces from the old engine, or part it out.

I'm not able to do any work myself, I'm not keen on trying to bodge an old engine into the car, and option 2 will run me as much as $6000 but it's essentially a new motor but that'll double my original cost for the car in June.

I know that I'd never get it back if I put that money into it, but what really worries me is that it would be good money after bad given what else could grenade on this car.

Or, am I being too pessimistic and I could have many years of use?

[kjoyes]

Definately don't put 6000.00 into buying a new motor block you can get an old engine for around 800.00 dont rebuild it it will the time spent rebuilding it would be more costly then if you did a engine swap find a good used one and higher some unempolyed deperate mecaninic that is down on his luck and the job should cost around 1200. 800 for the engine the rest to the dude that puts it in> take your the money you save and higher a good body man to take care of the rust and a new paint job.

[Subix]

Agreed... you should be able to track down a decent engine and have it installed for a good price.

[Green1995SVX]

Totally. Install a good used engine, and you're up and running at a minimal cost. You can install a lot of used engines for $6000.

[Crazy_pilot]

Buy used engine, reseal if necessary, install, move on with things.

[LetItSnow]

Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot

Buy used engine, reseal if necessary, install, move on with things.

It worked for me! Recommended.

[Crazy_pilot]

That's what I'm doing in 2 weeks (Plus installing the cams I've had for a year)

Hey Rob, what are you up to on Sept 10? I'll be passing through Syracuse on the way down to Dave's and back.

[LetItSnow]

Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot

Hey Rob, what are you up to on Sept 10?

Gah! I've got my street fighter league. I'm not on the card this week, so I should be able to duck out.

[Crazy_pilot]

I'll let you know when the date gets closer. It you be sweet to meet up for lunch or something. Leave Ottawa around 8-9, lunch for a couple hours, down to Dave's, pick up engine, home by 9-10 that night.

[LetItSnow]

Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot

It you be sweet to meet up for lunch or something.

Can am is a lunch eat.

Rod - Whichever option you choose, grab the sensors, injectors and coils from the old engine if you can. If the timing covers are good, you may want to take those as well. They'll either be good basement stock or pull a few bucks that will make the whole ordeal a little less expensive!

[Rod.]

All good advice -- thanks.

Because of the different monitoring systems, can I transplant a pre-96 engine in my '97?

[Ironhydroxide]

um, there are more knowlegeable people here than me, but I do know/think the LongBlocks are the same (just the engine parts) and possibly the Intake/exhaust manifolds and sensors are, but this i am not sure of.

[Rod.]

OK, looks like I'm getting a '92 that's in good shape but with a bad tranny, so I'll need to trailer it home and figure out which becomes the donor after I see the condition of the new one.

Am just waiting on connecting with the seller to make travel plans for the weekend...

[dcarrb]

Just curious: Approximately what would a proper, stock engine rebuild cost, assuming no irreparable damage to internal parts?

For anything deeper than head gaskets, the shop I use simply phones Jasper engines and orders a short block. I doubt Jasper has any remanufactured EG33s on the shelf.

dcb

[icingdeath88]

You can have a shortblock and heads rebuilt at many places, and with the stock internals should be pretty cheap too. Depends on how much stuff you have done. If you can assemble all or some of the engine once the shortblock and heads are done, then you can save a decent amount of money.

I'll let you guys know how much my rebuilt costs when it's through. But mine won't exactly be stock either. Still haven't gotten a chance to stop by the machine shop and get an estimate...