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| | | Need advice, blew a rod window size hole in the block. | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 28 newbie | OP newbie Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 28 | Here is the story, I am in the San Diego area, I Picked up a 73 dodge van with a 225 /6 engine about a month ago, have been slowly fixing small things/ working out the bugs, recently changed all fluids, went on a 40 mile camping trip, blew a rod and now I have a lifeless van.
Now to the question. I can pull the motor and swap it for another motor, should I try to find a motor from a junkyard? or one pulled from a running vehicle if possible? or buy a rebuilt? or buy a junkyard motor and have it rebuilt before I put it in?
I am not looking to keep the van for very long but want to get her back on the road so I can enjoy her, I already want something a little different for my next one but dont want this one to lose its life. I am looking for the most affordable/ reliable option, I have heard the stories of how bulletproof these motors are, I think I may have gotten a very well abused one.
sorry for the rant, hopefully I can get some great info from all you great folks. | | | Re: Need advice, blew a rod window size hole in the block. | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 559 | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 18,286 Likes: 559 | Sry to hear it....Which ever way you go, the only thing I can say is buy it right or buy it twice....
SUNSHINE VANS-VAN DIEGO ADRENALIN BY THE GALLON & CHASIN RACIN ONE FOR THE DIRT & ONE FOR THE STREETS '93 CHEVY G30 454 4X4 SPORTVAN EXT 146" WB '92 CHEVY G30 454 BEAUVILLE EXT 146" WB | | | Re: Need advice, blew a rod window size hole in the block. | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 2,847 Likes: 42 veteran | veteran Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 2,847 Likes: 42 | What is your budget?
Wait for Reed's input if you fancy a slant 6 replacement.
| | | Re: Need advice, blew a rod window size hole in the block. | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 18,213 Likes: 2 Supreme Master | Supreme Master Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 18,213 Likes: 2 |
Everyday above ground is a Good Day!!! Never Stop Vannin'
Member of Break Away Vanners Host of Spring Break At Shenandoah Acres Family Campground
Owner & Creator of Wizard's Van-In Videos Member of Riding High Truckers from 1982 to 1996 2nd Member of The Toopa Sinner Tribe Member of Free Bird Vanners 1996 to Present Member of Cape Atlantic Truckers South Jersey Host Club of Freeze Out Certified Nats Judge Member of Shenandoah Valley Vans | | | Re: Need advice, blew a rod window size hole in the block. | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4,460 pooh-bah | pooh-bah Joined: May 2006 Posts: 4,460 | swap in a 318. It will be worth more in resale
2003 Grand Caravan Member Vanatics Van Club-Spfld, IL Member Florida Van Council Member Central Florida Vans,-Orlando, FL | | | Re: Need advice, blew a rod window size hole in the block. | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 21,211 Likes: 25 Supreme Master | Supreme Master Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 21,211 Likes: 25 | If you're going to keep the van, go with a remanufactured engine with a warranty. Any used slant six you go with is going to be at least 25 years old (last year was 1987).
If you stay with a slant six, go with an 81-87 engine since they used hydraulic cam/lifter which means a quieter engine and less maintanence. They bolt-up the same as the older engine AND you don't have to worry about spark plug tube seals on the newer engine.
Nate Breece | | | Re: Need advice, blew a rod window size hole in the block. | Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 645 addict | addict Joined: Feb 2012 Posts: 645 | | | | Re: Need advice, blew a rod window size hole in the block. | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | (1) JBWELD won't fix it (2) I have heard bad things about the off the shelf reman motors, except for Jasper (3) Since you are in the San Diego area, you are actually near a large number of slant six aficionados who probably have a few decent runner slants on stands in their garage they would sell, and help you install cheap. Your fastest solution would be to head on over to www.slantsix.org , join, and post a want ad for a motor. I agree with Nate, if you are going to go through the trouble to swap the motor out, I say stick in a 81-87 period motor. It is newer and it has hydraulic lifters. Less maintenance. However, if you are just beating the bushes for a cheap get-by motor, don't stress too much about it.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | | Re: Need advice, blew a rod window size hole in the block. | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 Maniac | Maniac Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 12,107 Likes: 37 | I went ahead and posted a want ad for you. See HERE We'll see if a slant turns up. If you are already planning on getting rid of the van, I don't think a switch to a v-8 is worth the effort and resources. Actually, I usually advise against such a swap since doing it right is very time and money consuming, and then you end up with a van that uses more gas.
Last edited by Reed; August 07th 2012 4:51 pm.
Windows- they're what make a van worth owning! | | |
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