Well, here's the rest of the story...
Had another joint take a look at the engine, so this will be the FOURTH place that has looked at the car, and I'm getting sick of having it towed everywhere, even though towing insurance has held up so far...
So, here's what was wrong with this car that THIS guy found out. He at least had me down to the shop after he took out the engine and made me look at all the stuff that needed fixing.
1. Seized alternator - these things are supposed to TURN, right? Fused solid. So, new one of those. That explains the dead batteries. $160
2. The first catalytic converter & exhaust manifold, which as I could see WAS attached directly to the engine, was completely shot. That was the original problem, and it cost $1,200 for parts on this single item from the Ford dealer. No used parts available via local yards/used parts dealers. Apparently this is the first part stripped from used engines.
3. Clutch was worn. Well, I knew about that, but I had no idea HOW worn - down to the bolts, so to speak. So new clutch/plates/bearing. $400
4. Downline on the exhaust, the second catalytic converter was also a solid lump of metal & ceramic. $120.
5. The 2.5 L V6 engine, $2,640.00 Installed.
6. Everything cleaned up nice & purty.
I got all of this stuff for "cost", due to my obvious displeasure about the add-ons, needed as they were. All in all, this stuff added up to $3,300.
So, did I get "royally boned?"
I'm comparing this to the cost of another vehicle, so I guess I'm ambivalent about the cost that I'm paying.
If I'd have seen Keyser's post about 2 weeks ago, I'd have definitely taken him up on the offer. Would the current wiring harness/computer on my '95 have worked with his engine?
And, about gutting the pre-cats: let's say I do this in the future, will I still pass emissions tests? I would tend to think not, but you guys may know better. The pre-cat is the cat on the exhaust manifold, near the engine, right? Does that put additional "strain" on the existing cat further down the line? I gotta read more in this forum...
