Old Chum,

You can find these "crate engines" for the 2 liter carbureted Mazda pickups. I was told that they are removed from vehicles overseas, where they tax you more the more milage is on your engine. It's actually cheaper for them to replace the engine than it is to pay the higher tax rate.

You can find these engines from about $900-1500. I paid about $1300 to have one installed, including new hoses, belts, and a clutch plate. That way, I made payments on an engine for three months, rather than a truck payment for 5-6 years.

Search around, you may not find a crate engine, since your model year is getting older now, but many shops had overhauled and rebuilt engines for the Mazdas pretty cheap.

Hope that helps..........

Fish on.........