The engine in my wife's MCS gave it up at ~173k miles. Unsure of what happened just yet, it shut down while she was driving down the highway the other day. Sounds like the starter is wanting to do something, but nothing is spinning. I believe the engine is locked up. Before it started raining and I could jack it up and get under it, I tried pushing it in gear to see if I could get it to roll, won't budge an inch. In addition to that, I'm in the mist of a complete kitchen remodel at the house as well and don't have time to take it apart and rebuild it. I've considered replacing the car with another used MCS, but ultimately think I've settled on trying to find a replacement engine with relatively low miles (<75k). I like this price point rather than a car payment. Some of the long blocks I've found include the SC some don't. From what I understand the 2005 up get the updated SC.....any other improvements in later years I need to be considering? Any reason I need to be shooting for a late model R52 (2007-2008) vs an 05-06 MCS? Also I noticed that it seems pretty common for one of the engine mount bolt holes on the engine block to end up broken. How successful are these welding repairs on these anyone know? Thanks in advance.

 

If you able to turn a wrench, have all the necessary tools/equipment and most importantly the TIME, should be able to find something with the mileage you are looking for. The closer to you the better because of the shipping costs. The 05 on supercharger does have a coating on the blades and yes the 07-08 R52 is the same engine with the coated supercharger. On welding the motor mount, going to let somebody else chime in as the block is cast iron.

 

It could be any number of things.

You have to push pretty hard to get it to move in gear

My first guess would be something happened to the transmission ,clutch or flywheel since the starter won't spin now.

Could also just be a dead battery or alternator. Which could also mean the crank pulley fell apart, killing all the power

Put it in neutral, put a socket on the crank, and try to spin the engine by hand.

Unless she was running it without oil I doubt it blew up. These engines are pretty hard to kill if you keep oil in it.

As far as the SC, think of it like an accessory. It bolts on to the outside of the block. If you actually need a new engine you can just check the old sc to see if it still has oil in it and re-use it. You gain little with a newer one, just some teflon coating. Not worth spending $500-1000 if your old one still has oil in it.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the feedback. I had intended doing the put a wrench on it to see if it would turn on Saturday, but ran out of the only half day of nice weather we've had in forever. I had spent it doing brakes on the Tahoe and oil changes on my car and the Tahoe so my wife has something to drive while I get this figured out. My 04 MCS will pretty much roll out of my driveway in first gear, no brake and a little help from me, so I assumed I should get it to budge a little bit. So my question related to the SC is related to my other "agenda." I'm sure her SC is probably fine. My long term plan is to rebuild (mod) her dead engine along with the "upgraded" SC to put in my car when it needs it (hopefully not any time soon.) My 04 MCS just crossed the 125k mark. Trying to find the silver lining in any of this. I've built a couple engines before (Chevrolets), but I'd rather stab in something stock low miles in her car if possible and do the build slowly.

 

car-parts.com

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes, that's where I've been window "shopping." Trying to sort the best value of mileage and what all accessories (read SC) are included.

 

BTW< I think I've got it narrowed down to 4 different 2006 models, 2 are local to me and 2 would have to be shipped.
-79k miles, NO SC, is only $900 but needs that pesky mount welded back on.
-61k miles, No SC, ~$1700 after including the core and tax
-79k miles, SC, $2000 to my door
-86k miles, SC, $2000 to my door

Also 5th option I guess - 2008 motor, 53k, No SC, $2000 to my door.

If I just punt on the SC idea, then I'm thinking the 61k engine locally is the best deal assuming I don't want to explore getting the mount welded since there is apparently no other benefit to a 2008 motor over a 2006 with pretty similar mileage.

 

If it were me, I'd just pull the engine, break it down, and take it to my favorite machinist. Even in the midst of a remodel, you always have more time than you think. It will take about 4 hours to pull the engine, 1 to break it down, 2 to reassemble, and 5 to reinstall.

Fairly close to you: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ong-block.html