To rebuild or not to rebuild, that is the question

[Ken]

Hey guys,

Looking for some advice here or personal experience:

I posted earlier regarding the bent valves on my Coupe 2.8 V6(AAH 12v) .

I’ve shopped around and if I don't DIY, I'm looking at around ZAR15 000 for a complete head recon, water pump and cam belt change, etc. For a bit less I could buy an imported motor of the same spec(AAH 2.8 V6, 12valve). My coupe has just clocked 300 000km and given no engine issues till now. With high mileage though, my concern(shared by a few others) is if I redo the heads, the bottom end may start playing up in the not too distant future-smoking, etc.

Do I then consider a straight swap for an import motor with lower km’s? The car is neat, I’m the second owner and I’d like to keep it as original as possible. So personally I’m not that keen to swap the motor.

Alternatively, is it worth chucking ZAR28 000+ and having the entire motor redone?

The car is otherwise really neat and I would like to hang onto it long term.

Budget is a concern but I’d also hate to go cheap and then have to spend more money a month or 2 down the road(mind the pun).

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Ken.

[Tonks4x4]

Import a new engine and keep your old one for future parts if required