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The shop I found is an independent one specializing in Fords. Very close to where I live, and is well reviewed on Yelp.
I did not see this post when I replied, but that answers my question as to "why" a valve job was recommended.
You may not like Dealerships, but diagnosis is always better at a Dealership. They have all the information on repeat problems and built in problems a vehicle can have that other shops may not even be aware of. Doesn't mean you have to get the repair done there. Just gives you a fighting chance you will get an accurate diagnosis. May cast a little more, but can save you a lot more too. Cheaper is not always better.
Personally, After running Dealership Service Operations for 38 years, if my vehicle needs a valve job, its getting a remanufactured Jasper Engine with a big warranty.
I did not see this post when I replied, but that answers my question as to "why" a valve job was recommended.
You may not like Dealerships, but diagnosis is always better at a Dealership. They have all the information on repeat problems and built in problems a vehicle can have that other shops may not even be aware of. Doesn't mean you have to get the repair done there. Just gives you a fighting chance you will get an accurate diagnosis. May cast a little more, but can save you a lot more too. Cheaper is not always better.
Personally, After running Dealership Service Operations for 38 years, if my vehicle needs a valve job, its getting a remanufactured Jasper Engine with a big warranty.
I think he's talking Campbell Ford Performance. I use them too, for all major maintenance and repairs on my Fords.. they are hot rodders and used to working on older models. I've never had them lead me wrong and their work typically costs me half as much as the dealer quotes.
Well I held off on the repairs and had the shop look into replacing the engine entirely. On their end, they came back with a quote on installing a re-manufactured 4.6L motor for...nearly $5700. I have not committed so I can have a chance to sleep on it. Should be a solid motor with a 3 year warranty that should allow the vehicle to last many years to come. Rest of the car is in solid shape. As far as I know the existing engine is the original motor, with the first 100k miles coming from highway patrol service. I am the second owner after the CHP. It was in service with the CHP about 5 years.
I guess there is also the sentimental value of having it. Have driven it from California to Virginia and back.
Also the shop is in the Sacramento area by the way.
13 year old salvage title car with high miles? Time to move on.
My neighbor paid $3,500 for a used Ford. 13 years old. One owner. 55,000 miles when purchased used. No rust Southern car.
Drove it from coast to coast 3 times with zero issues. Still going strong.
Look.. Here's what it boils down to.. You're not getting a new one(Not made anymore). So.. Is the repair cost worth it to you to keep this car? That's all that matters.
You've talked already about how much you like the car.. 90% of the people replying here who are saying "No, it's not worth it, i'd move on".. Probably have a vehicle that they feel the EXACT SAME WAY about.
We can't measure that value to you. We can only say from a non-emotional standpoint whether the car is worth it.. You have to take that emotional value that you have in it and then say "Does it make sense to me?" If it does.. Go for it.
Understand that 2 months down the road, you could have a tranny drop and stick ANOTHER $2k in it.. But.. You might not. It's a roll of the dice, but it's a roll of the dice on ANY car. You've got.. A little more risk with the miles on it, and, probably rough driving being a former CHP vehicle.. But, your love of the vehicle counts for something we cannot measure.
I would recommend having the guy check the transmission out.. Just the basics.. fluid burnt? Funky smelling.. Anything like that.. Because, if it's black as tar.. Then you pretty much KNOW you'll have a tranny job coming up. IF not.. Doesn't mean it'll last, but you've at least made an attempt at making sure it was sound before going forward with this repair.
On their end, they came back with a quote on installing a re-manufactured 4.6L motor for...nearly $5700.
What?
$5700 parts and labor?
An OEM reman 4.9L Crown Vic engine is $1400 (crate, everything from the inlet manifold to the exhaust manifold, with heads, oil pan and valve covers, etc, etc.) with a 5 year warranty.
Installation is going to be way less than the cost to pull the heads and replace the valves in labor (it's pretty much plug and play, connect exhaust, electrics, and plumbing [cooling, and fuel]), say at most a full day to pull the old one and install so 8 hours (many shops charge a flat fee). even at $100/hr that's $2200 not $5700, add on fluids and new mounts, and miscellany and you're probably looking at $2500, or $100 more for the complete engine swap (with a 5 year warranty) than a head rebuild.
It shouldn't be $5700 for an engine swap including the engine for a 4.9L.
Take the cost of repairs and divide by how many years you intend to drive the car and the final will give you an idea if it is worth to keep. But What there is more...
How many more years left on the transmission?
What condition are your accessories in?
Paint quality?
Interior quality?
Factor all of the above before spending more money than the car is worth.
I see you are in Cupertino, Silicon Valley area, no wonder prices are high.
I would sign up at some of the Modular ford forums and ask in the regional sections regarding shops that work on modulars in your area.
Last edited by Felix C; 11-12-2015 at 06:45 AM..
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