Reman/crate motor vs timing job?
- Thread starter mkbruin
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Andy Rubalcaba
Full Access Members
plenty of horror stories with the reman engines, and with such a high price I find it to be quite the gamble. on the other hand, there isn't really a gamble with the timing job, so long as you upgrade the necessary parts that might give you trouble down the line such as the oil pump, updated roller followers and updated tensioners ( if you want to go cast iron tensions it's another 100$ for the pair but I find it worth while ).
so fixing the problem and continuing your truck's life with an engine with a known issue and resolving that issue, or starting new with the possibility of big failure down the line.
to be honest my engine feels refreshed and renewed after the timing job, but that's because i went the extra mile with a lot of stuff such as cleaning, part replacements and very close detail and care during and after the said timing job. you going to a shop probably won't yield this kind of detail and care, and you'll probably only get a quarter of the amount of new parts versus doing it yourself, because of the cost.
you have a lot to think about, hopefully peeps with reman engines will chime in. i've seen the horror stories though, me no like lol. but there's other variables to your situation such as: how many miles are on truck already? what other issues does it have? do you feel the truck is sound and secure aside from the timing job, and if not are you willing to tackle these other things to make it a smooth driver and reliable? these variables could change your decision.
so fixing the problem and continuing your truck's life with an engine with a known issue and resolving that issue, or starting new with the possibility of big failure down the line.
to be honest my engine feels refreshed and renewed after the timing job, but that's because i went the extra mile with a lot of stuff such as cleaning, part replacements and very close detail and care during and after the said timing job. you going to a shop probably won't yield this kind of detail and care, and you'll probably only get a quarter of the amount of new parts versus doing it yourself, because of the cost.
you have a lot to think about, hopefully peeps with reman engines will chime in. i've seen the horror stories though, me no like lol. but there's other variables to your situation such as: how many miles are on truck already? what other issues does it have? do you feel the truck is sound and secure aside from the timing job, and if not are you willing to tackle these other things to make it a smooth driver and reliable? these variables could change your decision.
Andy Rubalcaba
Full Access Members
that smells like trouble... weird stuff was going on like that with my land rover, did VIN lookups after I bought it and was finding different mileage reports.
if it's not your daily driver, it would be worth while to at least pull valve covers so you can see the condition of camshafts, chain ( kind of ), vct solenoids and roller followers. that's if you are willing to do the work yourself, otherwise that's an expensive inspection for a shop to do.
good luck man.
if it's not your daily driver, it would be worth while to at least pull valve covers so you can see the condition of camshafts, chain ( kind of ), vct solenoids and roller followers. that's if you are willing to do the work yourself, otherwise that's an expensive inspection for a shop to do.
good luck man.
I like what Andy said…
The car wizard said to replace it with a reman from power train products.
youtu.be
What really happens inside a Ford 5.4L 3 valve! Let the CAR WIZARD show just how bad it gets
The CAR WIZARD 🧙â€â™‚ï¸ has expressed how much he dislikes the design of the Ford 5.4 3valve, but in this video he shows just how bad it gets. 🔮🔧 AMAZON AFFIL...
youtu.be
JVinOlathe
Well-Known Member
A remanufactured engine from a reputable company is a great option. The work is done by specialized workers under controlled conditions and "ALL" the applicable parts are replaced, often with better quality parts and you have a warranty to boot. A timing job depends uniquely on the capabilities of the mechanic doing the job, and nowadays, dealer mechanics are not necessarily that good, and you still have an older engine that might need other components replaced that are not part of the timing job.
Of course, if youi get a remanufactured engine from fly by night company, you will likely end up with issues.
In short, there is no obvious answer and it depends on who does the timng job and who you get the remanufactured engine from.
Of course, if youi get a remanufactured engine from fly by night company, you will likely end up with issues.
In short, there is no obvious answer and it depends on who does the timng job and who you get the remanufactured engine from.
Brons2
Well-Known Member
If your Expy doesn't have any symptoms other than timing issues, doesn't burn oil, has had good maintenance, then the timing job is probably worth it. If you're looking at unknown service history, or it burns oil, maybe better go go reman.
I'd probably pop off a valve cover before deciding if the engine had an unknown history. If it's clean with no or minimal varnish - timing job. If it's sludged up, reman all the way.
I'd probably pop off a valve cover before deciding if the engine had an unknown history. If it's clean with no or minimal varnish - timing job. If it's sludged up, reman all the way.
If you're going to reman the engine you should do it yourself take it out send it to the Machine Shop rebuild that one put it back in that's what I did the first time I bought a reman so many problems the reman people don't really care they just slap them together the Machine Shop does the work and did you have the opportunity to put it together you know it's all done with the correct Ford parts
I ordered a Powertrain product told me they use all Ford parts when they rebuild them when they got there it had Dorman phasers in it the early style that were junk it had timing chain tensioners from god-knows-where they said China on them so no stay away from them they're not any good trust meThe car wizard said to replace it with a reman from power train products.
What really happens inside a Ford 5.4L 3 valve! Let the CAR WIZARD show just how bad it gets
The CAR WIZARD 🧙â€â™‚ï¸ has expressed how much he dislikes the design of the Ford 5.4 3valve, but in this video he shows just how bad it gets. 🔮🔧 AMAZON AFFIL...
Brons2
Well-Known Member
Did you take off the timing cover after seeing the Dorman phasers? I guess the phasers weren't the XD ones that are supposedly better?
Vincent Vega
Full Access Members
@mkbruin I asked myself that question when I redid my timing - it was not much less work than swapping a new engine. But keep in mind the cost of swapping the engine is usually higher than just the engine. Reman engines don't include the intake manifold and you will probably replace other common wear parts while you have everything opened up. These trucks like to eat coils and exhaust manifolds, and it will be a perfect time to replace coolant and vacuum hoses. Injectors and o-rings too, while you are installing the new intake manifold.
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