Low Compression on All Cylinders

[Rustytruck]

go into your local Napa autoparts and find the guy working there the longest and ask him/her (to be politically correct) if their truck need engine work who would they take it to and see a second opinion.

 

[Skiddy]

I appreciate all of the responses.
I contacted the shop today and they are saying they have a new (reman) 302 engine that they can put in for total of $3700. I want to keep the old engine so they are charging a $200 core for me to keep it for a total of $3900 big ones.
I will be paying the tow fee they charged and the diagnostic fee and then I will be towing it to my house.
I will park it at the house and do my own compression test on each cylinder.
I need to figure out if I even need a new engine or not.

I looked into buying a 5.0 engine from a late eighties to early 90's mustang and purchasing the parts needed to do a fuel injection conversion from BCBroncos. With the carb it is difficult to start in the cold and last winter I had to spray starter fluid in the carb just to get it to started.
I found a used mustang engine for $800; guaranteed by the auto salvage place but I do not know how many miles are on it.

Anyway, the reason I was considering having the shop replace the engine was that it is my daily driver and now I do not have transportation.

Thanks everyone for your input.

I am located in Northern Virginia; does anyone know of a good place to take my Bronco so I can get a second opinion?

i see the shop already has a engine they want to get rid of. check to see if you have fuel and spark. could very well be the timing chain as well. wish i were closer.

 

[TarheelEB]

Update

I towed it to another shop in my area.
Thank you again to all of the responses.
The new shop says its the timing chain.
They are replacing the timing chain now.
If this is all it requires, this will save me
thousands.
Thanks again; I will update as soon as the timing
chain job is finished.
Any questions or things I should have done while
they are changing the timing chain? (i.e. water pump,
gaskets, etc.)

 

[Rustytruck]

If all goes well with the timing chain swap it buys you time. You still have an old motor just one that runs better. Probably will buy you three years or so. so start saving money and collecting parts for your EFI motor you want. get all the mustang electronics and wiring harness but when it comes time to actually buy the used engine avoid the Mustangs and the pick-up trucks they are driven so much harder and more likely to be abused. get a coffee can and jamb 50 bucks a month in it so you have working capitol.