Buying a Replacement Engine Requesting Advise

[Jacki&GeneZ16]

What should I expect from a salvage yard to ensure a reasonable stock engine purchase? I just want to drop in a good replacement and use for a few years while I rebuild the original engine.

REASON: low compression (less than 110 pressure in all 4), and blow-by all rings and valves, so I am shopping for a used replacement engine.

BACKGROUND: 1991 FORD FESTIVA (hatch was replaced unknown LX,GL,SE,ETC) VIN KNJTT05H5M6106674, 2 DOORS, MANUAL, No ACCESSORIES and no MODIFICATIONS OR UPGRADES) My Festiva has about 120K miles on it. I have replaced the fuel filter, wires, plugs, and I checked and found the fuel pump works great.

[Bowls]

Fill in your location in your profile, where you live has a BIG difference. If its a cold climate where the roads are salted, your going to pay alot more for something decent.

[Jacki&GeneZ16]

Fill in your location in your profile, where you live has a BIG difference. If its a cold climate where the roads are salted, your going to pay alot more for something decent.

Thanks, I have updated my profile, Though my Festiva is in Anchorage Alaska, it does not have a rust problem.

I am shopping for a replacement engine while I am in Southern CA. I'lll finish cancer treatments next week, then return to Alaska.

[25Horseplay]

Try to PM a member named "Alaskafestivaguy" He goes between Alaska and Washington states. He has several Festivas and if he doesn't have an engine he will probably know where you can get one.

[mattswabb]

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forum/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=655

[Jacki&GeneZ16]

Thanks Folks,
I am in the SoCal area currently that has a good number of engines to choose from. Most priced half what I would pay in AK, add shipping cost, I may get a better engine at or less what I would have to choose from in AK.

THUS:
What should I expect from a salvage yard to ensure a reasonable stock engine purchase?

I just want to drop in a good replacement I am not interested in modifying to get a "better" engine in.

[25Horseplay]

Festiva Motorsport had brand new engines for $1700 with free shipping.

[ajb999]

^^ that's what i was thinking. i don't know how much it would cost to rebuild an engine but has to be close to the new price from fms.

[festivaWES]

Why dont you just re-ring it and rebuild the head....if you make it down to the pick-a-part locations this saturday you get 1/2 pric off sale....ontario location had tons of festivas today

[Jacki&GeneZ16]

Why dont you just re-ring it and rebuild the head....if you make it down to the pick-a-part locations this saturday you get 1/2 pric off sale....ontario location had tons of festivas today

Great Alternative! Thank you, THANK YOU! festivaWES!!! I am within 15 miles of Ontario I just Googled Pick-A-Part in Ontario Ca and see it is not a retail new part store, I see it is a salvage yards. Do you know which yards I should search?

Anchorage new parts suppliers' prices make it too expensive for now. If I can get news parts for half price, then this a cost effective project. All I will need to do is pull the engine and take the existing long block to a good Anchorage shop, then they can bore out, do the value job, etc.

Since I have not removed the engine and thus a rebuild shop has not looked at it, could you please advise me on what I should SAFELY purchase this Saturday?

Shall I try for a crank set? Can I pull them with special tools in the yard? I suppose I should just talk a whole head with all values? Then should I just buy new bearings and rings?

Others: I appreciate your interest and help. I am currently completing an expensive 9 week cancer treatment with many temporary living costs. I can't afford to buy a new or rebuilt engine plus shipping to Alaska for a total of about $2,000. That is why I was looking for a good used engine.

[festivaWES]

The one in ontario is on miliken just north of philedelphia, there's tons more just PM me...If your at that yard I'll be there saturday on the 10th in the morning when they open at 8ish.

Yeah be glad to help you out....either rebuild your motor or potentionally swap it out for a better one.

[Jacki&GeneZ16]

PM sent, looks like there will be a parts hunt!

[Jacki&GeneZ16]

Yeah be glad to help you out....either rebuild your motor or potentionally swap it out for a better one.

Hey Wes thanks again for your help! Our Festiva parts hunting motivated me to set the bar higher.

After I returned with my SoCal Festiva parts and some budgeting I pulled the head and had it worked at a local engine shop, ouch $300 plus a new Cam for $140.

Next I took the engine in. Crank's keyway was obviously damaged and the pistons were worn so rings could not be installed. Replaced everything but the connecting rods in the short block, bored and reassembled, cost $1300. The bad install of the harmonic balancer/timing belt drive gear must have put everything off.

I bought a new replacement harmonic balancer and key at the local Mazda dealer. Plus a clutch kit from NAPA. Total cost just about $2,000 , way too much, but it runs and runs!

[festivaWES]

Good to hear you got it fixed. I just dropped my b6-e block off to dynatech in Galena, KS 60 dollars for .020 overbore, 50 for decking the block .030 for high compression, and 50 for hot tank dip and painting. Not bad i thought.. Now i amm in need of some 11:1 weisco pistons, some stout rods, and a new crank kit ACL race bearings. They are also goign to do my custom cam grind and 3 angle valve job witha port and polish. Can't wait. Next on list is a set of itb's from a honda and a fms header, providing tey still have it in stock.

P.S. you need to post more, way to dig up an old thread too lol

[Jacki&GeneZ16]

Now I really wish I would have taken the time to go the route you are with your engine. Sounds great Wes!

After "investing" so much in the original engine and with it running so sweetly, I've have the racing rights to drive the Festiva while my son is out of state. So, I am planning on ICE RACING this next 2 months.

I would be in a class with other older cars, mostly that are not afraid to get dented in the Non-studded class. This is wheel to wheel racing on a lake in the area.

Do you have a suggestion on 13 or 14 inch wheels that would fit the bolt pattern of my 1991 Festiva? How about from a stock Mazda, Honda or Toyota? There is a much better chance of me getting the right non-studded winter tires for a 13 or 14 inch rim.