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Million Dollar Rebuild Question

B

BarryRanch

Member
I have a 99 Ford F250 Triton v10 that just ejected a spark plug at 150,000 miles. The way I see it, it has enough miles on it to be freshened up. I called around and the engine shop wants $3,600 to rebuild it, no warranty because its a v10. For $4,400 dollars buys me a new crate engine from Ford, 3 year warranty. I keep hearing all these horror stories about the new trucks, Ford, GM, and Ram. And it brings me to this question: Should I rebuild the truck, Engine, Tranny, Drive shaft, Front End, Interior, Paint, Rims, Tires, and a few other minor things spending 15k+, or should I buy a new, new to me truck, for 9-11 thousand. Money is always and issue anymore, but it'd be rebuild and I know how its been taken care of because I've owned this truck since 32,000 miles. What do you guys think?
 
I'd be inclined to rebuild what you have for $15k before I layed out $10k to buy a different truck that was probably someone else's problem. Who knows what you will need to fix on it. I do buy used vehicles as a rule and have rarely purchased one that I didn't end up spending at least a couple grand on for tires, brakes, plugs, wires, service the tranny and transfer case, change the coolant, etc.
 
I think I would have the plug threads repaired, and drive it some more. Since I have the same engine in my 02 motor home, I am well aware of the problem. A rubber plug is available to plug the hole, incase your plug blows out, so you can get to a repair garage. It's too bad ford made the head's with so few threads. What were the engineers thinking? Stan
 
If you can get any good out of what is left you can put a helicoil in and replace the spark plug for $300 or less around here. These engines are known for blowing plugs. Had to have one repaired on my sons excursion.
 
Unless you are having other symptoms, oil use, blowby etc, I would fix the plug and keep on driving. Nowadays that really isn't enough miles to wear out a motor much.
 
(quoted from post at 19:42:24 11/02/15) I think I would have the plug threads repaired, and drive it some more. Since I have the same engine in my 02 motor home, I am well aware of the problem. A rubber plug is available to plug the hole, incase your plug blows out, so you can get to a repair garage. It's too bad ford made the head's with so few threads. What were the engineers thinking? Stan
Click to expand...

Repair the plug hole with an insert and keep on driving.If that engine has had good care and regular service it's good for 50 to 75000 miles more.
 
I put a crate motor and rebuilt the trans in my 1989 Chevy pickup back in 2002, and it is still going strong, if not rusting away! Fix it!
 
Rent or borrow the tool set, and you can fix it up in an hour with a $25 insert.

In my little corner of the world, I have installed close to two dozen with no issues or failures that I am aware of.

<img src = "http://www.tooldiscounter.com/images/productimages/ATD5401.jpg">
 
Fix what you have. If you buy Another used one,whose to say you wont rebuild that one,plus a miriad of other stuff.'Used" is often some else's problem. Have you tried to screw it back in? I once had a 390 that would do that about every 3000-5000 miles. It would simply unscrew itself.
 
There are thousands (probably hundreds of thousands) of Triton V8 and V10 engines running around with inserts in them. At 150K your engine is just getting good and broken in. Have an insert put in by somebody who knows what they're doing and it should be good for at least another 50K. I wouldn't think about trading vehicles until you hit the quarter million mark. The other repairs are chump change compared to buying another vehicle.
 
To everyone that suggested intseting a helicoil: I'm having other problems with the engine, such as oil usage, a valve that is missed up, and it does miss sometimes. In most peoples eyes, thats not enough to need a new motor, but I've done a lot of pulling with that truck, and it hasn'tt always gotten the greatest care. The truck owes me nothing. Thanks for the replies.
 
. I would sell a XC3Z6006FARM for 3750.00 + tax over the counter exchange. The Ford store your dealing with is using
suggested retail. I have NOT had any issue's with Ford Reman Engines. Work with your dealer. He should be
able to give you a better price. His cost on the engine is 3280.00.....+800.00 no hassle core. I really don't make a
dime until I receive core credits...
 
A bit familar with the area.Have some friends there. And attended the Roberts farm Show for years.
 
I've always heard that those earlier V10 engines were known to use oil and blow plugs. My 08 V10 has been great up to this point despite being pulled hard and I'm only 25,000 miles behind you. I sure hope you have better luck with your new engine. I've had no oil usage yet but I do keep it serviced regularly.

Look on the bright side... Even with a new crate engine, you are still half the price of the diesel engine replacement.
 
I would look very seriously at a Jasper re manufactured engine. They are in GA and I have used them for engines and transmissions for over 25 years. Top Quality and dependable. Never had a failure with their products
 
Check the book values of your truck before and after a rebuild. If you sell the truck, it could be difficult to recover more than 10 or 20 cents on the dollar back from a major investment in an almost 17 year old vehicle. You might need to keep it another 10+ years to break even rebuilding it.

I would fix the bad cylinder, continue regular maintenance on the truck, and spend the rebuild money on a better replacement when that time comes.
 
Just fix the plug and keep it going. Your rebuild plan is only if you love this truck so much you can't let go [ hey that sounds like a TV commercial]. Otherwise under the money pit theory you will buy a new truck. Rebuilt motor and tranny still leaves a million parts to fail . Ball joints , shocks , exhaust . on and on.
 
My little bit of opinion here.....

First thing I would consider is what shape the rest of the truck or engine is in. If the truck is solid and without rust or body issues, I would certainly put money into it.

Unless the engine has other issues, a blown spark plug is no reason to replace the whole engine. Thread repairs are common and not complicated. Most times, an insert will make a permanent repair, and last as long as the rest of the vehicle. Oil consumption is usually valve seals. Can be done in the chassis, but not an easy task. burned valve is another story. But, know this: there are 10,000 4.6 Triton engines in use in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles as taxicabs, and they run for hundreds of thousands of miles with no more than ordinary maintenance.

A couple of other points to make. First is resale value. The ONLY reason that would be a concern would be for insurance purposes. I NEVER buy a vehicle with the idea of reselling it, so resale value is of no concern to me. Second item is electronics. In my opinion, we are headed for a "tipping point" in the electronics. manufacturers are loading new vehicles with more and more electronics every year. These are expensive to repair or replace, and in most cases have to return to the dealer for diagnosis and repair. This will eventually result in lawsuits, litigation, and hopefully access to important service features for the independent garage. In the meantime, I am inclined to avoid too much electronics.
 
THAT right there, oil usage, occasional misfire due to valve issues, I'd talk seriously with your local Ford store parts manager and get a better price on the crate engine and go that route. Your location rust is not a problem, but you may need a transmission or T-case in a couple years. And that's ALL cheaper than new truck payments. Things like brakes, tie rods, ball joints, u-joints on drive shafts are all wear items, you really never "Can't make it home" because your parked on the side of the road because of those things.

Your crate engine could blow a plug or two out also, but you have a 3 year warrantee to cover things like that. Make sure you know what the warrantee covers before you sign on the dotted line!
 
I have a 2000 F250 I bought it 2.5 years ago.. have blown out 2 plugs and I have put the kit they sell to fix that in both times.. no prob ..I have 147,000 on mine it also has that "ford" passenger side valve cover leak.. but I watch my oil closly and away I go. Truck is in great shape body wise and still looks great too so Ill keep going the way it is until it wont.. who knows.. When I bought it i got it cheap so figured I could put motor in it for what I had in it but for now nope does what I need it to do when I need it to do it..
 
Because of the oil consumption I would consider pulling the head on that side for the insert and to check out the valves - valve seals. If the valves are showing wear I'd pull both heads and replace the timing set in the front of the engine. With that done 90% of the mechanical failure issues with a Ford V10 have been taken care of.
 
I would just put the inserts in the plugs that pop out, why spend all the money and time when you do not know what else will happen.
 
you might check to see if Dorman repair kit #42025 (advanced autoparts) or ebay will fit.Works on 5.4 motor and at about $50 its simple
 
Spending 15 thousand on a 9 year old truck just does not work for me, programs are real good. I would be trading that thing.
 
You obviously are not in the rust belt or you wouldn't even be asking the question...

Personally I think I'd Heli-Coil the head and drive on. Why do a rebuild when it's otherwise working fine? If it been well cared for I think the engine ought to do a bunch more miles yet.

Rod
 
google time sert. I put one in my 2000 V10 when it spit out a plug the day Katrina hit. I have put well over100k miles on it since then with no problems. Now approaching 300k and still going strong.
 
I second the "tipping point" for electronics. More stuff = more stuff to break. I think we went past the point when the little cars started coming out with electric steering. Thanks but no thanks.

I was on the local VFD when they got two new Ford brush trucks with the v-10's.... underwhelming to say the least.
 
Since you are happy with your truck and have some issues with the engine other than the blown plug replace the engine. With the Ford engine you would have a 3yr unlimited mileage warranty, just make sure the engine is installed properly so there won't be any issues if you need warranty. Also if you are out of town any Ford dealer can work on it, just have your paperwork when you brought it. Sometimes with Jasper or another brand engine finding some one to work on it under warranty a problem. The main reason is getting paid to repair it, usually they will pay a set labor rate and most time the customer pays the difference. No matter whose engine you use make sure the cooling system is clean especially the radiator and oil changes done on time. Hope this helps, with the price of trucks new and used, you have to decide what is best for you.
 
Hey Rod, I think they only call it the rust belt due to all the closed factories. The real rot is on the east coast with the salt air or where they road salt heavily.
 
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