A re-manufactured long block or rebuild existing engine

Asked by clarktodd May 23, 2016 at 09:13 PM about the 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4-Door 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My son owns a 1991 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4 with 4.0 engine and
81,000 miles.  It is very clean and has always been well maintained and
always in the family.  This is why I may be willing to pay more than it may
be worth.
While driving home the water pump seized and it over heated.  We
replaced the water pump and thermostat.  It is still overheating and there
are metal shavings in the oil.  I assume that the head is warped and has
caused internal damage.  I am trying to discern whether to install a re-
manufactured engine or have the existing one rebuilt.  Using the VIN shows
that an original long block is not available.  I have heard some reports that
the re-man  long block (from NAPA) does not come with OEM parts and
there have been some failures.  I found a local shop that builds race
engines and rebuilds engines using OEM parts (depending on the condition
of the core which may need to be replaced).  The re-man from the
dealership comes with a better warranty but the rebuild has a minimal
warranty.  Which would the best way for me to go?

4 Answers
86,865

Mark answered 8 years ago

Rebuild, you will have greater control and know what was done.

Mark helpful

clarktodd answered 8 years ago

My concern with a rebuild is that they don't seem to have much of a warranty compared with a re-man long block.

Mark helpful
86,865

Mark answered 8 years ago

Look at it this way, it's like the difference between a custom built computer and one you can buy off the store shelf. The custom built machine has the parts you specified and you actually know the person who built it as opposed to a company that had a lot of different people with their hands in different phases of production. Forget the warranty, it's just a piece of paper. When someone actually hand builds any product, there's a certain pride of workmanship that goes into it.. it's like their signature on the end product. That is why"exchange engines" are never as desirable as a engine that was gone through with a fine tooth comb.

Mark helpful

ConsiderThis answered 5 years ago

INSTEAD OF REBUILDING A MOTOR THAT HAS HAD METAL SHAVINGS INSIDE (VERY BAD) SCRAPING, DAMAGING THINGS YOU CAN'T SEE, FIND ONE THAT HASN'T HAD ANY METAL SHAVINGS AND REBUILD IT. THEN HAVE A GOOD SOLID CONFIDENCE IN THE PROJECT. OIL RUNS THROUGH A LOT OF CHANNELS AND OTHER HIDDEN AREAS. WITH SHAVINGS IN IT, A LOT OF DAMAGE THAT CAN'T BE REPAIRED. RISK PAYING FOR A REBUILD THAT STILL HAS SHAVING JUST THROWING YOUR MONEY AWAY. A LOT OF INTERNAL PARTS, SURFACES IN AN ENGINE YOU CAN'T EXAMINE FOR SHAVINGS DESTRUCTION WILL

Mark helpful

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