Hi all,

I have been a member for a while but mainly troll these forums. I have a 04' Disco and love it despite its many problems. A couple of months ago I spun the crank bearing and I am presented with too many options. If money was no object I know which one to take but it isn't. I was intending to work on the rebuild myself but as I live in an apartment and my friend who lets me work in his garage has his space full with a '79 F250 project. I have sent it to a local LR indy shop (Huff's Automotive). They will rebuild my engine with new engine mounts, plugs, wires, etc. for ~$3,400. I need to get a used/rebuilt short block. Here are my options.
1. Shady (checked BBB) Basic Car Parts out of Monroe, LA want $1,400 (includes s/h)for a used short block with guaranteed (allegedly) > 60k miles.
2. FindAPartNow, Hershey, PA (A+ BBB) who bashed #1 want $950 + ~$150 s/h. The problem with this is I done know how many miles are on the block and I would be afraid of the sleeves slipping.
3. Motor works San Diego want $2,300 to rebuild my core and replace any damaged rods, cylinders, etc with top hat sleeves.
I am on a tight budget of $4,000 and need my Disco in 3 weeks for when my brother visits.
So do I go with 1 or 2 which is within or stretching my budget a bit or go with 3 (if I had an extra $2,000 I would in a heart beat) and wait 5-7 weeks more to get the money together.
A 4th option would be to buy an engine from Roverland for $3,250 (don't know shipping costs) and have my mechanic install it (don't know how much this will cost either.
Thanks for reading.
Alan.

 

How is #1 vs #2 even a question? Am I missing something?

 

They are all my options. Are you telling me not to bother and wait to do 3 or 4?

 

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear. If you are leaning towards 1 OR 2, which is seems you are.....why would you even consider the shady, more expensive place (#1) over the less expensive, better rated place (#2)?

 

Sorry Daryl. I didn't make option 2 clear enough either. They can't tell me how many miles are on the short block I would be scared or getting a high mile block and having the sleeves slip on me.

Editing OP now.

 

Yeah, but if #1 is shady, do you really believe there's 60k on that motor?

If you're going to gamble on a short block, why not gamble cheaper with nicer company?

The guarantee from the shady place, or any place really, on a short block is damn near useless. There are a million ways for them the wiggle out of it, and you're still left with having to pay to disassemble the motor just to return their junk to get your money back if you can.

 

Thanks Daryl. That was my gut feeling too on the 60K. Option 3 might be doable. Looks like my bank will extend a small personal loan I have. I will know more soon.

 

Has the engine been torn down to access the damage? If your crank is good why not just replace the bearing? Heck if your crank Is damaged maybe you could have it cut. Just making sure you've explored all options?