New to YotaTech. My son's 85 4x4 pickup (4 cyl carb, no p/s, 4 spd, body fair) threw a rod 6 months after purchase ($3,800) despite 'rebuilt' engine. Neither of us has time or experience / equipment to replace engine ourselves. I'm interested in opinions on the following:

1. Is the truck worth salvaging? Or does he cut his losses and move on?
2. How much would a used engine for that truck cost, on average? What about rebuilt? New? How difficult and expensive would it be to add power steering?
3. What would it typically cost to have the replacement engine installed?
4. What might a salvage yard pay for the truck as is? What might he ask for it / get if he sold it privately? I understand the ?85 model year is popular due to solid rear axle.

 

i would keep the truck and look into a rebuilt short block for it. If the top end is fine keep them and have a machinist check out the heads. Buy from a company and send the bottom end in as a core. BTW, they are popular for their solid *front* axle.

 

and if you decided to sell it I'll make it my trail truck

but if i where you I'd keep it they are popular trucks

 

The problem is that an engine R&R is not that hard to to (if you have the Tools and the Expertise) but that it costs ALOT of $$ to pay someone else to do it.
Especially if they are charging you "hourly" rates.

If they are charging a "flat fee" (i.e. will do it for "x" dollars) then there is a real incentive to "cut corners" to get it done.
This is human and understandable.

Those on this list that are mech savy have the knowledge (and the person doing the work knows they know) to negotiate reasonable corner cutting and they will accept the risks involved.

So frankly from a dollars perspective - another rebuilt engine is not really going to be cost effective....
I havent priced it but Id guess oh $1000 for a budget rebuilt engine and and MORE for a better built engine.
A wild guess at $750 for R&R (10 hours at $75)

Now if you had some friends who had the know how and the tools - they might be convinced to lend a hand - things become alot more cost effective.
Especially if you are not in a rush.
Block in rebuildable condition - $200?
machine work and new parts $500+
labor - free (dinners, beer etc)
learing about your truck - PRICELESS

Not sure off hand but as a parts truck - $1000 tops...
Its got the 4speed (people want the 5 speed)
soild front axle (worth oh $200+ right there)
no PS

HTH

 

Thanks for the feedback so far. I just got done calling around locally and further afield. I'm in San Jose, CA area. Found a rebuilt long block (Toyota Truck and 4x4 Dismantlers, Berryessa Road San Jose, anyone know them?). Rebuilt long block $1,175 with 1 year parts warranty plus core. Would install for additional $550 labor w/ 6 mo warranty. Seem reasonable?