2.7 rebuild or upgrade?
 

I have a strong running 1977 2.7L with 146,000 miles. After reviewing the literature about all the potential problems with the 2.7, should I have it properly rebuilt or upgrade with a 3.0 or 3.2? What additional things need to be done if upgraded?
Thanks

I had the same question at one point. I have a 2.7 but recently bought a very nice 3.0. The general response I received was to upgrade. you can pick up a good 3.0 for under 4K if you look hard enough. A good rebuild on a 2.7 will probably be twice that.

If it is a strong running motor, why are you going to rebuild it?

Drive it till you have a problem.

What's the history on the engine? With 147K it must have been rebuilt before. If it was done right and is running strong, I think Chuck is spot-on.

I've been looking at all of the options also since my 2.7 is over 110,000 miles on its rebuild. It was done right so it is running ok but it needs to be pulled to fix all of the leaks to include the case halves. Upgrading to a 3.0L is fine but if you buy one with 120,000 or so miles on it how does that put you any better than you were? It's still going to need work and it going to cost the same as if you rebuild a 2.7L. If you are going to upgrade get a 3.2L or a 3.6L. Just my opinion....

A tired 3.0L that needs to be rebuilt will always cost you more. If you can find a low-mileage 3.0L in good condition for about $4500, then you should be ahead of the game. HOWEVER, if one of the head studs snap, then you will be out about $8K or so (average) to rebuild it, on top of your original $4.5K cost for the motor.

In general, it usually works out to be the same, however, if you rebuild your own 2.7L, then you know exactly what engine you have in there, and will have it running well for 100K+.

-Wayne