Dodge 4.7 problems?

[Kruse]

A guy in my office told me that his father-in-law is giving him a 2002 4.7 Dodge Dakota for free. One caveat, he will need to fix the engine.
A couple of days ago, the engine left his father-in-law set and the dealer pulled the oil pan. They found parts lying on the bottom of the oil pan. (I didn't see it. Don't ask for details)
He's looked at long block prices and every place is showing it to be about $3K for the parts only. After seeing the prices on this engine, he's thinking about declining.
Googling the subject shows it to be a sludger. Any real world experiences out there?

 

[SrDriver]

How about a rebuilt engine if the vehicle is in good shape? With synthetic oil it should give you many miles for a minimum investment providing you need a Pickup.

 

[DieselTech]

I would find out whats broken. Takeing the block to a machine shop, new pistons, bearings, and labor should be around 1200.00 depending on what the machine shop finds it needs. Rebuilt heads should run about 200.00. Be a near new engine for roughly 1500.00

The nice thing about this route is he can pick and choose what parts he wants. Do some research on the best bang for the buck and call summit after the block is checked out by the machine shop and they inform you of any oversize parts that will be needed.

 

[UNC017]

It would all depend on the REST of the truck. If its in good shape, replacing the engine would be well worth it, but if the truck is only in marginal condition then forget it. The 4.7 is not a "sludger," that's the 2.7 v6.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
It would all depend on the REST of the truck. If its in good shape, replacing the engine would be well worth it, but if the truck is only in marginal condition then forget it. The 4.7 is not a "sludger," that's the 2.7 v6.



Thanks. I'm well aware of the 2.7 problems. I just saw the same on a lot of 4.7 subjects, so I thought I'd ask.

 

[mrsilv04]

What about dropping in a used engine?

 

[JohnBrowning]

First the parts are not $3000 for $3000 you can easily get 1-2 long blocks from a salvage yard depending on the yard. I would have to know for sure what parts are in the pan. If he wants to give it away to me I will see if I Can get a car dolly and drive out to Kansas and drag her home! If the block and bores are fine and the mains are intact the rest is cake walk in the right hands.Their are after market cams,valve train parts,rods,pistons,intakes etc.....The only thing that is a dealer only item would be the crank because the reluctor ring is not sold seperately last time I checked and the magnet is imbedded into the crankshaft but I could be wrong I have not looked at one in a while. When I traded my 2001 in it had after market cams and intake!


See if you can get a knock down of what is damaged and what is good!