Crate engines?

[alphaman]

Whats up fellas. Has enyone ever bought a crate engine for there car or truck? I have a 68 mustang GT Cali. Special edition. Im torn between rebuilding the 302 thats in it or buy a crate engine. Im not selling so it really not worried about resale. This will be my daily driver once complete.

[PaulMyers]

Crate engines are great with full factory warranty. I've done it twice.

[Clampy]

Get you a Cleveland 351 for that bad boy.

[BassYakR]

Nah go with something newer... put a new 5.0 mustang motor in it... convert it to FI.... Old car with all modern parts! thats how u do it!

[Speck Attack]

Originally Posted by BassYakR

Nah go with something newer... put a new 5.0 mustang motor in it... convert it to FI.... Old car with all modern parts! thats how u do it!

X2.....drop a newer crate engine

[DaPointIsDaBomb]

My boat engine come on a crate, been working good in the bay.

[flwo]

Drop in a crate motor and then take your time rebuilding the original motor. You might decide to put the original back in it or someone looking for a period correct engine for their project could make you an offer you couldn't refuse.

[keakar]

it all depends on how much wear is on the old motor

that's what I would let make my decision for me, if its a simple complete rebuild just needing some new parts with honing, deburring, rering, and new bearings without needing machine work then go for it but if it needs a complete machining of crank and journals then go for the crate engine

[I make oil]

I'd recommend a crate motor. Pickle the original and put it away. You never know when you might want to sell or restore it to original. In my opinion the EFI's just don't look right in a classic Mustang. If you want FI I'd go with one of the modern bolt ons. I'm installing a carb. I might go to FI later but I doubt it.

If your planning on using the car as a daily driver I'd recommend upgrading to a T-5 transmission if it's a standard or a transmission with a overdrive if it's an auto. Install a 8.8 rear diff out of a Explorer with 3.73 gears and it will be an excellent daily driver. Cool thing about the 8.8 is you also get rear disc brakes with it. I don't think you will need to narrow it for a '68. Be reall careful when you start a project like this. It's real easy to go overboard.

[swamp snorkler]

Originally Posted by alphaman

Whats up fellas. Has enyone ever bought a crate engine for there car or truck? I have a 68 mustang GT Cali. Special edition. Im torn between rebuilding the 302 thats in it or buy a crate engine. Im not selling so it really not worried about resale. This will be my daily driver once complete.

My neighbor flips cars, 75% of the time he puts in crate motors because according to him its cheaper. Here's a completely rebuilt drop in 302 for under $1,500. You to trade your engine in for it.