Rebuild vs Crate Motor

[Reed]

Hey everyone, I've just finished some suspension stuff and was talking with my dad about what to do with my engine. I was originally planning to rebuild my engine with this and that, but knowing that things constantly break in these cars and that I'm pretty short tempered, my dad suggested a crate motor.

Basically this won't happen until next year, but I want to work out a plan. I am able to rebuild the engine since I don't drive the car all the time, but I have no experience doing it.

What it really all boils down to is which is going to end up being cheaper?
http://www.fordracingparts.com/crateengine/302smallblock.asp
I was looking at one of the two first engines there, they both have more power than I was originally aiming for. What are your opinions and experiences?

 

[Strype]

I had the money for a rebuild last year and was in the same dilemma...

I never followed through with any of it but I was gonna go with a Crate Motor. It just makes sense these days they're almost as cheap as a rebuild, and all 100% new parts

Think of all of the effort and chips in the bricks of your house you'll save from projectile tools that you've thrown in anger

 

[MyBad70]

buy a long block...that has a good set of heads on it already. then just buy the intake setup you want.

ive seen some 331 and 347 short blocks selling under 2000...id check into those too

 

[1slowfiveoh]

I would go eith short or long block.

I have had all the parts to build my engine in the garage (machined, ballanced, etc) sitting in my garage for a while now and I still haven't put the MF'er together. It'd be way cheaper to just buy one that is done.

 

[Reed]

Thanks for the responses guys. I am really starting to like the idea of a crate motor. It would not be too hard to save up the money quickly, let alone for next summer. Living in Canada, shipping different parts here and there sometimes burns a hole in the pocket, plus I have no experience building an engine.

All I'd need to add is an intake and little odds and ends I suppose. The price is comparable after having your block cleaned, parts balanced, things assembled, etc, etc though yes?

 

[MyBad70]

long block is a rotating assembly with heads......short block has no heads.....youd need the intake, headers, pulleys etc...the smaller bolt on stuff pretty much.