Urgent...need advice about my engine...

[Huskerman]

My wife's 2001 Chrysler Town and Country went TU. Local shop says its the Rod bearings.

61,000 miles. 3.8 L V-6

They offered me 3 solutions.

1) Crank Kit: $1600. Although this will fix the motor, they won't warranty anything but against leaking. He said he is hesitant to do that because he has concerns about whether or not all the rod bearing parts have been removed and if they aren't I will have another rod bearing problem at some point. They mechanic (who I have used for years) said that he's had good luck with this procedure when he was working with fleet vehicles. He also said that he did that because the risk wasn't nearly as steep when compared to a family vehicle. Meaning that if the Rod bearings went out again, no worries, it was a fleet rig.

2) Replace the motor with a wrecking yard motor: $3700

3) Rebuild the motor in it: $4200.

I will say first off that this is my fault. I have been busy and haven't paid attention to the maintenance on my wife's van. My bad so no need to rip me for being stupid.

I am leaning towards option 1 because my motor head buddy thinks that it would be ok because the oil should go from the crank to the filter and then on to the engine. I would like to have the van for another 5 years but no longer than that. It's paid for so I don't want to jump into another payment.

If I go with the other option, I would likely pass on option 2 and spend the extra $500 for a rebuild of my engine. I know the engine already and it would come with a 2 or 3 year (24k or 36k) warranty.

ADVICE? What is the smartest thing to do at this point?

Thanks in advance,

Huskerman