Need guidance...anyone have experience with re-manufactured engines??

[TBird1stLuv]

Been dealing with some overheating issues for awhile and leaking coolant. Long story short...blown head gasket. The mechanic took a sample to the lab and confirmed coolant is present in the engine oil. I was informed that replacing those head gaskets is about a 30 hour job. My engine is coming close to a 100,000 miles. One solution (not crazy about) is to replace my current engine with another used engine. I am considering a re-manufactured engine rather than another used engine with most likely similar mileage if not worse (repeat issues further down the line). Does anyone have experience with this scenario? Any suggestions on where to locate a new engine? I also heard that a re-manufactured engine would be a better choice than a rebuild since in a rebuild a lot of parts are reused and not replaced .Bummed .

[007Cruiser]

Sorry about your troubles. I only did it once. Had one put in from Jasper. Everything turned out well and the have a three year, 100,000 mile warranty.

https://www.jasperengines.com/gas-engines

[428PI]

What do you mean by leking coolant? Coolant on the ground? Can't find out where it's going? I've had these engines in Lincolns where I couldn't keep the temp down on a long drive. Is that the problem. I suspected head gasket too. I'd really be surprised if it was getting into the oil unless you had major engine miss issues since water would probably get getting into a cylinder to end up in the pan. Make sure your mechanic replaces the water pump and thermostat housing and possible coolant recovery tank (if leaking by driver's front wheel) and bleeding system before condemning engine. I wouldn't be worried about a used engine if it had less than 100k and been taken care of but would still replace all the plastic thermostat housing and water pump anyway. If coolant is actually in the oil it's hard on main and rod bearings.

[yelobird2002]

A Genuine Ford Remanufactured engine is a good choice.

[TBird1stLuv]

007Bird007 cruiser Tried Jasper...not making re-manufactured ones of this engine anymore.
428PI : Replaced coolant recovery tank twice. New water pump and new electronic heater control valve. Replaced thermostat and housing. Still losing coolant and starts to overheat on a long drive or after several days of use. The coolant goes down in the recovery tank over time. Some of it on my garage floor some elsewhere due to blown gasket.

[Rondor]

Could also be in transmission ciooler or lines If tests show water in oil that sounds like a head gasket or cracked head or block. I would buy a crate motor before a rebuilt.

[HKS]

007Bird007 cruiser Tried Jasper...not making re-manufactured ones of this engine anymore.
428PI : Replaced coolant recovery tank twice. New water pump and new electronic heater control valve. Replaced thermostat and housing. Still losing coolant and starts to overheat on a long drive or after several days of use. The coolant goes down in the recovery tank over time. Some of it on my garage floor some elsewhere due to blown gasket.

You have a water cooled oil cooler in your engine. Others found that to be the culprit.
Don't know much about this, but is there water or foam in the oil?
HKS

[007Cruiser]

The 2004 Tbird and Lincoln LS share the same engine. If you really need one, that should open up more availability.

[TBird1stLuv]

007Cruiser I was aware they are the same engines but thanks for the reminder. Last guy I spoke to indicated he sold his last engine to a LS owner 2 years ago.

So far, all the places that re-manufacturer engines don't have the engine required. Also checked with Ford and none available in the system (completely dressed or a service engine). I am checking into a company called Roadmaster engine corp out of Texas. The gentleman I spoke to "Holley like the carburetor" is willing to work on my engine and re-manufacture it. I have not one shop close to me that is willing to do this...very frustrating. I would have my mechanic pull the engine and transport it to Roadmaster and then it would be shipped back to me for installation. Not sure yet if I will go this route (18 month warranty only) and I would have to deal with an out-of-state business if anything went wrong (makes me nervous). Still checking into my options. Anyone heard of Roadmaster engine? Any experiences that you would be willing to share?

HKS I will ask my mechanic today that question...thanks.

[HKS]

Your water cooled engine oil cooler is a very good suspect.
Several TBN members had this same problem over the past years.

[Brad]

I have a great mechanic that has solved a number of cronic overheat issues on different retrobirds I've had over the years. Pinhole leak in radiator (no fluid leaking in garage), the return hose that runs under the intake, etc. Did your mechanic do the pressure test with dye? My mechanic is in Alsip IL and would be worth a trip for a second opinion given your location.

[Brad]

Engine swaps on these cars.are incredibly expensive (needs to be removed from the bottom). When I was researching it several shops that had experience doing it won't do another one because of all the issues. I've also heard that some of the parts required for a rebuild are not available. If you do need head gaskets shop around for the best price from a shop that has experience, a bonus is you get new valve cover gaskets potentially fixing COP issues. Several years ago I spent $2500. on my sons head gaskets on a Nothstar engine (required engine removal to rehone the bolt holes). It was worth rhe cost as my son got another 5 years of use on the car before selling it.

[007Cruiser]

I don’t usually believe in additives but could this sealant be worth a shot if it really is the gasket.

https://gobdp.com/blog/can-drive-blown-head-gasket/

[BirdsAndBugs]

I don’t usually believe in additives but could this sealant be worth a shot if it really is the gasket.

https://gobdp.com/blog/can-drive-blown-head-gasket/

I think I'd take a chance on this too. If it doesn't work out, then I think spending the money replacing the head gaskets on your existing engine would be my second choice. It doesn't sound like there are many viable places to buy a remanufactured engine.

[hippy_mailman]

keep in mind if it fills up voids in your system it might also fill voids that are supposed to be there could possible mess up the heat. I bought a 4runner and someone had done this., eventually the gasket failed again and noy only did I have to get a head gasket but my radiator had the sealant in it and had to be replaced as well.the heater core worked but not as well as it should have
found this site for engines http://www.gotengines.com/blog/ford-...rd-39l-engines