I have been digging around our local Craigslist and a guy has a rebuilt 2.2l for $600. Is that too low? like held together with duct tape and chewing gum low?

should I bother contacting the guy?

He's a mechanic at an import specialist and would drop it in as well. 

Would this be a better idea that shelling out $$ for a timing belt job on a 2.5L with 198K miles on it? 

 

I'm waiting for the official Subaru dealership in town to get me the quote on the timing belts /pullys/water pump and etc.

 

I am a pest I realize this. 

 

There a couple of things about the timing belt replacement that are scaring me away from doing it myself...

If your 2.5 was already broken, then yeah, i would say go for a 2.2, but if you want one that bad, you can get a whole donor car for that price. 

 

So is this 'rebuilt engine seals and head gaskets, or has the case been split with new internals.

 

I would trust a 150,000 mi used motor before i would trust a randomly 'rebuilt' engine, as the bottom end on a 2.2 just somply does not wear out.

 

I would do the timing belt on the 2.5, and then consider a 2.2 if the HG lets go on the 2.5

If your 2.5 was already broken, then yeah, i would say go for a 2.2, but if you want one that bad, you can get a whole donor car for that price. 

 

So is this 'rebuilt engine seals and head gaskets, or has the case been split with new internals.

 

I would trust a 150,000 mi used motor before i would trust a randomly 'rebuilt' engine, as the bottom end on a 2.2 just somply does not wear out.

 

I would do the timing belt on the 2.5, and then consider a 2.2 if the HG lets go on the 2.5

yeah, the 2.5 engine is still good, I just know it's up at the second time around for the belts and all that goes with them.  

''rebuilt'' is not a very descriptive term.

what all did he do?

head gaskets, timing belt and idlers, front oil seals, water pump are pretty easy.

but ''rebuilt'' suggests new crank and rod bearings, which is not so easy.

 

so find out what he did,?

and if this is the first one he has done,?

and if you can talk to one of the current owners of his ''rebuilds''.?

 

if an engine cost 200,

timing lit + seals cost 150,

head gaskets cost 75

oil separator plate costs 35

oil?

RTV?

machine shop?

 

find out what all he did?

the more he did for that price the better,

assuming he knows what he is doing.

 

what was the compression before he ''rebuilt'' it?

how many miles?

Edited January 23, 201412 yr by johnceggleston