Where are you guys finding cheap, good engines?

So I decided to keep my Durango and swap the 5.9L out with a junkyard motor. Problem I'm running into is all the local salvage yards want a lot for them. Well I only found two 5.9s and the cheapest was $900. That's out of my budget and while rebuilding mine is an option, I don't have the time to deal with that.

I've seen you guys talk about finding cheap, running V8s for $200 - $400 at salvage yards. Where are you finding them?

local junk yards have connections. They can usually get what you need and if there is a business associated with your name they typically are cheaper still.

Now, I've not got a running v8 for $200 though... but an S52 for $1600 or an M52 for $800 with a reasonable expectation that if they are misrepresented and don't work properly I can exchange them is reasonable I think.

The going rate at our local PnP for engines is $200 (used to be $150 and they had 1/2 price wednedays). Aggravating that they drill the oil pans, but not that big of a deal. For the mgb - I grabbed a ford 5.0 out of a lincoln mk vii that was driven to the yard. Craigslist of rusted out hulks that are still running...

Can you find a clapped out, rusty Ram 2500 with a 5.9 in it? Harvest the drivetrain, sell/scrap the rest/etc. Only thing that sucks about doing it that way is it takes time.

What happened to that "Cheap V-10" thread on here???

I usually look at car-parts for an idea of the going rates and go from there. If I don't find one there I at least get an idea of things.

the local guy sells me running small blocks for 300 of either big 3 variety. call around.

I hear you can buy a whole running car if you.don't need a title keys and of the crack head really needs a fix for like... 200$.

I picked up a klze and harness from an importer for $900. Calling and searching is key

Cheap c-list wrecks come up often. Got my swiped ls400 for 500$. It was a daily driver, owned by a stripper, some of you may remember that adventure.

SilverFleet wrote: Can you find a clapped out, rusty Ram 2500 with a 5.9 in it? Harvest the drivetrain, sell/scrap the rest/etc. Only thing that sucks about doing it that way is it takes time.

They're out there, but people usually know what they have. It seems no matter how bad the condition of the truck, no matter what options or trans, if the engine runs it's $2000. If it runs and drives, you're talking $3000. You're not buying a Ram, you're buying a Cummins.

car-part.com

Got a 28k mile '95 Miata motor for $675 on there and years later its still running strong and showing well at autocrosses.

maschinenbau wrote:

They're out there, but people usually know what they have. It seems no matter how bad the condition of the truck, no matter what options or trans, if the engine runs it's $2000. If it runs and drives, you're talking $3000. You're not buying a Ram, you're buying a Cummins.

I'd normally agree with this but he's replacing the gas motor in a Durango not the Cummins.

ebonyandivory wrote:

maschinenbau wrote:

SilverFleet wrote: Can you find a clapped out, rusty Ram 2500 with a 5.9 in it? Harvest the drivetrain, sell/scrap the rest/etc. Only thing that sucks about doing it that way is it takes time.

They're out there, but people usually know what they have. It seems no matter how bad the condition of the truck, no matter what options or trans, if the engine runs it's $2000. If it runs and drives, you're talking $3000. You're not buying a Ram, you're buying a Cummins.

I'd normally agree with this but he's replacing the gas motor in a Durango not the Cummins.

I think the 5.9 Magnum (aka the 360 Mopar V8) was the base motor in the 2500's for a while in the 90's-early 2000's, so finding a beat-to-hell example should not be that hard.

Or you can enlist the help of someone like Andrew Nelson, who apparently has a magic V8 fairy that lives near him that shoots cheap V8's from its fingertips.

I usually look at car-part.com, Craigslist, eBay, and LKQ.

Would a '98 work?

I'm in the pick up a scrap one and sell the rest camp. I've done well on replacing the engine on a Saturn and a Hyundai Accent this way. I came out slightly ahead on both deals and the transplant recipients are still going strong. It does take time and space though.

In reply to SilverFleet:

Oops, I was thinking of the Cummins 5.9 diesel! Those 360 V8s are in pretty much every early 90's Ram heavy duty that isn't a Cummins. And they're much, much cheaper.

Cash for clunkers hit durango engine stock hard. It's coming back around here but the 5.2 and 5.9 are way harder to find than the 4.7. I think the group is on to the answer in finding a late 90's early 2000 truck. The van posted earlier is probably best as pick up truck equals 4 digit price no matter the condition. Van? Not so much.

The obvious answer is to swap a Cummins into the Durango.

shop "long block" maybe??? Save yourself 15%, maybe more over the cost of an "engine"