[Buldawg76]

The head can be surfaced if its not flat but the block cannot so that will be the deciding factor on head gasket or complete engine.

BD

 

[Buldawg76]

Agree with @zhent that it would far better to fix it as cheaply as possible and trade/sell it to at least break even if not possibly get enough extra for a down payment on another ride.

BD

 

[Buldawg76]

All the above head gasket choice are high quality products, the "cometic " head gaskets come in several thickness so your mechanic will need to determine which one would be best for your car based on old gaskets removed thickness.

Ford EcoBoost 2.3L - 138CI/2.3L I4 Gaskets

Cometic Gasket supplies hi-performance gaskets for a variety of motorsports markets: ATV, Drag Race, Domestic Automotive, Harley-Davidson®, MX/Dirt, Off-Road, PWC, Road Race, Snowmobile, Sport Compact and Street.

www.cometic.com

You will also need intake, exhaust, valve cover gaskets and possibly a few others as well.

I would also suggest ARP head studs as well to ensure proper clamping of head to block and prevent future issue with blown gasket if you plan to keep the car, if not then just go as cheap as possible and sell/trade when it's been fixed.

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[Buldawg76]

If you can find a low mile used engine (under 40K or so) for 2-3K that would be a good way to go especially if it's out of a late 2020 or newer since it has the revised block.

If your block is not cracked/warped, it would be a toss up as to fix yours or replace with used. In the end you are the only one that can decide what is the best way to go.

If going with used engine try to find one that you can hear run before its pulled from vehicle if possible.

BD

 

[Buldawg76]

I think most people are asking a bit too much for their used ecoboost engines considering you can get a new one for not much more (https://www.cjponyparts.com/ford-pe...crate-engine-with-starter-alternator-hardware-mustang-2-3l-ecoboost/p/M600723TA). Plus if you have all your receipts and everything in order, I suspect it would be much more valuable to a buyer (assuming you're selling private party) knowing that they have a brand new crate motor, and you would make that extra amount you spent back if you sell it. With 121k miles and some unknown used motor though, I don't think it's going to get anywhere near $12k.

Regardless I think it's more of a financial question than mechanical, given your other debts you mention and remaining payments, it depends more on what those are and their interest rates, as well as your actual transportation needs at the moment.

Have you visited BFS Performance yet? https://www.bfs-performance.com/

The issue with the FP crate engine is that you must also buy the PCM control pack for it to be a plug and play engine swap. It will not work with the stock factory PCM and harness. It is sold by FP as an off road only crate engine kit and even states that on the FP webpage for the engine.

Another member here was going to go that route and called FP tech and was told what I just stated.

OP would have to buy remanufactured crate engine from ford dealer for a plug and play engine swap.

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[Buldawg76]

That can't possibly be accurate, if it was, there would be a reason why it just "won't work". Because the website says it's an "off road" means absolutely nothing, that's just for emissions regulations purposes.

If you look at the PCM control pack, all of it appears to be items that would come on the stock car anyway. Why would you need another intake, another intercooler, another gas pedal, and so on?

I've never met an FP tech that actually knows about FP tech though so that checks out. The instructions on the PCM control pack even says things like this:

View attachment 47014

Meaning that the PCM provided in the PCM control pack is entirely incompatible with factory Mustangs.

Still, even if for whatever reason the crate engine wasn't 100% plug and play, I imagine whatever modifications to the harness that might be needed would be extremely minor.

It may work as a plug and play engine but I am not going to state it is without being 100% sure it does and cause someone to waste good money on something that is not plug and play. The fact that FP tech will not/cannot say its plug and play is all the reason I need, even if I agree they are dumb as a box of rocks.

If you think it will work, then why don't you do the leg work to find out for sure that it will.

BD

 

[Buldawg76]

Update: I have decided to do an engine swap after talking to some mechanic and getting their opinions. Most recommend to get a used engine and swap it.

Just an FYI, the mustangs 2.3L has just been added to the class action lawsuit against ford for coolant intrusion leaks into the cylinder past failed head gaskets. You may want to look into having your name added to the list of complainants for this issue. Here is the info from ford authority emails.

2.3L Ford EcoBoost Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged Leaks (fordauthority.com)

BD