tn_outside2003
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Tennessee
I have seen many threads where people say "Just purchase a long block and be done with it."
I can't seem to agree. I would like some input please. It is my opinion that ALL parts sold in parts stores are cheap parts, mostly made in China (etc), with Napa being the best of the bunch. As I get older and wiser I lean more towards OEM parts, purchased from discount retailers online.
So, my 2000 XJ 4.0 is at 170,000 miles and for various reasons (blown H. Gasket years ago, wearing head, worn main bearings, dropping oil pressure, intermittent misfires, etc) needs some engine work.
So.....if I need main bearings, rod bearings and a new head....many would say "buy a remanufactured long block and move on." But my logic is that those engines cost over $3,000 and are rebuilt completely with cheap Chinese parts. Probably the original cam and crank but otherwise all cheap Chinese valves, bearings, seals, rods, pistons?, rings, etc. All of this crap will wear out. It may take 50,000 miles, or even 90,000 miles. But that seems inferior to me. I simply would NOT rebuild an engine with a bunch of parts from O'Reilly. Would you??? And the major engine rebuilders sell exactly THAT. I would think that paying a sound mechanic labor to replace all of these parts with genuine Mopar parts (that I provide) is the better way to go. I have priced it out....it would cost about the same amount, or just a little more. This is with creative purchasing, a used, newer head, etc.
It seems to me that rebuilding my own engine, a known entity, with genuine Mopar parts would be INFINITELY better than buying some rebuilt engine with a bunch of junk parts. I am not concerned with the "3 year, unlimited mileage warranty." I want a "It will drive for 200,000 more miles" warranty.
What do you people think?
Thanks,
JG
I can't seem to agree. I would like some input please. It is my opinion that ALL parts sold in parts stores are cheap parts, mostly made in China (etc), with Napa being the best of the bunch. As I get older and wiser I lean more towards OEM parts, purchased from discount retailers online.
So, my 2000 XJ 4.0 is at 170,000 miles and for various reasons (blown H. Gasket years ago, wearing head, worn main bearings, dropping oil pressure, intermittent misfires, etc) needs some engine work.
So.....if I need main bearings, rod bearings and a new head....many would say "buy a remanufactured long block and move on." But my logic is that those engines cost over $3,000 and are rebuilt completely with cheap Chinese parts. Probably the original cam and crank but otherwise all cheap Chinese valves, bearings, seals, rods, pistons?, rings, etc. All of this crap will wear out. It may take 50,000 miles, or even 90,000 miles. But that seems inferior to me. I simply would NOT rebuild an engine with a bunch of parts from O'Reilly. Would you??? And the major engine rebuilders sell exactly THAT. I would think that paying a sound mechanic labor to replace all of these parts with genuine Mopar parts (that I provide) is the better way to go. I have priced it out....it would cost about the same amount, or just a little more. This is with creative purchasing, a used, newer head, etc.
It seems to me that rebuilding my own engine, a known entity, with genuine Mopar parts would be INFINITELY better than buying some rebuilt engine with a bunch of junk parts. I am not concerned with the "3 year, unlimited mileage warranty." I want a "It will drive for 200,000 more miles" warranty.
What do you people think?
Thanks,
JG