What's going on with the van?  Do you have it fixed?

The  question is the same from everyone. Not an easy decision as everyone wants our money and promises the world to get it. I have been down that road before and have been burned. Colour me Cynic~!

-Where to get the engine, and who reconditioned it, and what is the warranty.

-Who will replace it and can they do a good job.

The smooth talker at the counter will promise all but it's the grease monkeys in the back who do the work.  A lot are irresponsible and on booze or drugs and the turn over in monkeys is big time here in Tampa.

The van has been sitting there while I try to figure out what to do about the situation. A reconditioned engine seems to be the only solution. As the engine is seized up there must be considerable damage inside from the overheating. It appears that loss of oil was the cause of the damage and the reason for loss of oil may never be known. Catastrophic Damage is the term~!

A reconditioned long-block 318 Vin T engine costs about 2000.00 plus shipping and installation charges. It makes one think of a newer van, but, this one is outfitted the way we like for our kind of travel. A newer van would be nice in many ways but the work to convert it to our way will not be easy or cheap. We could possibly use the pop top and most of the interior from our old van.  That is one of the "me thinks" I am looking at now. 

Although I have upgraded the '87 in many ways through the years, many do not want to work on older vehicles these days and parts are becoming a problem.

I visited 3 shops regarding the engine swap and will make a decision soon.  It will be a reconditioned long block with a 3 year warranty. Total cost of the engine and swap will be more than 3000 bucks which is a lot of money to throw at an old vehicle but I don't see any alternatives.  I have spent more than 5000 on upgrades since I bought it 10 years ago making it safe and reliable.  

Soon I will have a new van omg. This photo from 2006