Economy engine rebuild or crate motor?

[Robb]

I've got an older truck and am seriously thinking about keeping it, but it has 200k miles on it. It's my daily commuter, sh*t hauler, buck hauler and I'm fine with keeping it.
What is the more economical turn-key way to go, having the current engine rebuilt to factory specs (more or less) or buying and having an economy, factory spec crate motor installed? I won't be doing the work, I'll have to have it done. I'm not looking to hotrod it in any way, but looking more for the best bang for the buck. Thoughts?
For what it's worth it's a Chevy 4.3

[brianakell]

I've got an older truck and am seriously thinking about keeping it, but it has 200k miles on it. It's my daily commuter, sh*t hauler, buck hauler and I'm fine with keeping it.
What is the more economical turn-key way to go, having the current engine rebuilt to factory specs (more or less) or buying and having an economy, factory spec crate motor installed? I won't be doing the work, I'll have to have it done. I'm not looking to hotrod it in any way, but looking more for the best bang for the buck. Thoughts?
For what it's worth it's a Chevy 4.3

Pull out yours, take it to a machine shop, let them do the work, go with their recommended parts, and go from there. Or buy a new, from GM crate motor. I wouldnt install a mass reman Jasper, Autozone, Napa engine if it was given to me. I'd sell it, and put in a used 150k motor over those things. Also, if the engine you have is still running, why replace it? Ive seen those engines over 300k, not quite as strong, but not worn out by any means.

[trlcavscout]

If you go the crate route you get a warranty which is good insurance. By the time you get a good engine shop to rebuild it the cost would probably be more then a crate motor. If you are staying stock I would go crate motor when the time comes for an engine. The 4.3's will go a long time though.

[Great-Kazoo]

Unless it's sucking 2-3 qts of oil per 1K of driving, run it in to the ground. If you know it's not going to get you through the winter, factory crate motor. While you're at it crack off for another transmission, or clutch , pressure plate and throwout bearing if a manual trans.

[Zundfolge]

Just keep in mind that those guys you find on Craigslist that do engine rebuilds real cheap are mostly scammers. A friend of mine went that route because its all he could afford (was laid off and his wife was going through chemo for breast cancer at the time) and the motor lasted about a month ... then the guy ignored his phone calls and dodged him for several months (thankfully another friend who owns a shop came along and just gave him a shiny new crate motor gratis).

[ray1970]

Keep a couple of things in mind. It might not be wise to dump $3,000 into a truck that isn't worth $3,000. Plus, even though it will have a new engine, everything else (transmission, transfer case, suspension, differentials, etc.) isn't going to be new. My guess would be the likelihood of having other issues with the truck are probably higher than the engine losing compression or chucking a rod.

[Robb]

Good info, thanks.
My old engine still runs amazingly well, it puffs a nice cloud on startup and it uses oil but nothing insane. I'm not looking to replace it NOW, but I'm starting to think about it, do my homework so I know the way I want to go. It already has a brand new clutch and a newer used tranny in it, that's kind of why I've decided to go a new motor when the times comes and just live with keeping it.
Good to know about the Jasper etc rebuilds, I looked at their webpage.

[ray1970]

Slap a set of valve stem seals on it. That will probably fix your smoking issue.

[Inconel710]

I don't about Brian, but I had a good experience with a Jasper Remanufactured Chevy 4.3L V6. Back in 2007, when I had it done it cost about $4K for the whole job and came with a warranty. Have to go to a Jasper affiliated mechanic for the warranty, but I thought it was worth it. We sold the truck about 20K miles later and the family we sold it to was still driving it a year ago.

[Rabid]

Slap a set of valve stem seals on it. That will probably fix your smoking issue.

This and its easy to do.

I don't about Brian, but I had a good experience with a Jasper Remanufactured Chevy 4.3L V6. Back in 2007, when I had it done it cost about $4K for the whole job and came with a warranty. Have to go to a Jasper affiliated mechanic for the warranty, but I thought it was worth it. We sold the truck about 20K miles later and the family we sold it to was still driving it a year ago.

I know people that have 75k+ on Jasper engines and transmissions with out any problems. Anything that is remanufactured you are going to want a warrenty on though.