I believe someone else previously posted, "WHen it rains, it pours...". Now it's...

[m3 bavaria]

UPDATE: The garage I trust a bit more ran a pressure test over night. When they came back today, the engine was hydrolocked. The #4 cylinder was full of water. They're saying the engine is toast and there's no point to fixing the head gasket. Thoughts?

As I see my options:

Used 4.2: $4-$5k and iffy reliability
New 4.2: $5-7k
New 4.6: $8kish

The truck is nice, but I really don't know if I should just abandon it or not. It has a new to it BW T-case with only 67,000 miles, new bilstiens all around, new brakes (calipers and rotors), a new custom exhaust, and an OME 2.5" lift with HD shock towers.

 

[EricWS]

Part out the nice parts and get a new truck if yuou have no strong attachment to that one. Call D&D and see what they are asking for a long block as well.

 

[David Harris]

UPDATE: The garage I trust a bit more ran a pressure test over night. When they came back today, the engine was hydrolocked. The #4 cylinder was full of water. They're saying the engine is toast and there's no point to fixing the head gasket. Thoughts?

As I see my options:

Used 4.2: $4-$5k and iffy reliability
New 4.2: $5-7k
New 4.6: $8kish

The truck is nice, but I really don't know if I should just abandon it or not. It has a new to it BW T-case with only 67,000 miles, new bilstiens all around, new brakes (calipers and rotors), a new custom exhaust, and an OME 2.5" lift with HD shock towers.

I would fix it, and go with the new 4.2. It's always tempting to get a different vehicle when something major goes, but then you lose all the progress and history you have with it. Unless it's a rust case, I say keep running it and making it better and better.

David

 

[Eniam17]

Does the shop have to sell you the used 4.2 or would they be willing to install one that you find yourself? If you could find one from a donor vehicle and make sure it's in good shape, I would think you could have much less than 4 or 5k into it. I lost the 3.9 in my classic and found a good 95 Disco 3.9 with 100k on it for under $500. Just trying to think of a way to help you keep the vehicle running without dumping $5k into the motor.

 

[m3 bavaria]

Does the shop have to sell you the used 4.2 or would they be willing to install one that you find yourself? If you could find one from a donor vehicle and make sure it's in good shape, I would think you could have much less than 4 or 5k into it. I lost the 3.9 in my classic and found a good 95 Disco 3.9 with 100k on it for under $500. Just trying to think of a way to help you keep the vehicle running without dumping $5k into the motor.

Their labor is $2,600. I'm open to used.

 

[m3 bavaria]

Part out the nice parts and get a new truck if yuou have no strong attachment to that one. Call D&D and see what they are asking for a long block as well.

D&D?

 

[Eniam17]

Their labor is $2,600. I'm open to used.

Might be a good idea to look for a vehicle that's totalled, rusted out, or has other issues, etc. and find a motor that's in good shape - maybe be into it for 3k +/- instead of 4 or 5.
If not, maybe part it out and move on to look for a new one. This is a bummer, hope it works out for you.

 

[proper4wd]

That labor quote is crazy high. Even at $100/hr thats 26 hours to swap a motor in a classic! Swapping complete running engines takes one day. 8 hours max.

You really need to find a better mechanic.

 

[m3 bavaria]

This is the second shop I have been to. The other charged me 6 hours to swap the t-case and claimed it was an all day job. They made it seem like 2 hours was NUTS given all that had to come off.

 

[DividingCreek]

That labor quote is crazy high. Even at $100/hr thats 26 hours to swap a motor in a classic! Swapping complete running engines takes one day. 8 hours max.

You really need to find a better mechanic.

Agreed- $2600 is highway robbery. 1/2 that would be a maximum.

 

[rwhitmo04]

As I see my options:

Used 4.2: $4-$5k and iffy reliability
New 4.2: $5-7k
New 4.6: $8kish

The truck is nice, but I really don't know if I should just abandon it or not. It has a new to it BW T-case with only 67,000 miles, new bilstiens all around, new brakes (calipers and rotors), a new custom exhaust, and an OME 2.5" lift with HD shock towers.

A relatively low mileage (as compared to the age of the truck) 4.2L can be had for not too much. I picked up a 4.2 to put in my '89 Classic from one of the parts distributors, put in a D&D cam, lifters, and timing chain kit for right around $1K. It sounds like you may not be up to doing this swap yourself, but getting a used engine is not a bad option. Getting a repair manual and basic engine building book will take you a long way if you're interested in doing your own work.

D&D Fab: http://aluminumv8.com/

Edit: I went back and read your original post again. Since you have a 4.6 already in it, I'd look into getting the pistons and rods checked. It sounds like the block is toast, but picking up a used 4.0 short block and throwing in your 4.6 pistons and rods seems like an option.