A replacement automobile engine is an engine or a major part of one that is sold individually without any other parts required to make a functional car (for example a drivetrain). These engines are produced either as aftermarket parts or as reproductions of an engine that has gone out of production.
Replacement engines are used to replace classic car engines that are in poor condition or broken, or to install a more powerful or more fuel efficient engine in a vehicle. Replacement engines are often used to make old cars more reliable for daily driving. Classic car hobbyists may also install reproductions of a rare powerplant in a classic car (this is most often seen in Mopar muscle cars that have the 426 Hemi installed into them).
Aftermarket engines are used in many forms of motorsport. Some late model racecar series use "crate engines" many of which are made by independent firms. This ensures that drivers all have similarly powered racecars. Legends and Allison Legacy Series cars also use sealed crate motors.
The four most common types of replacement engines are:
Remanufactured engines (also known as "re-manned," "reconditioned," or "re-engineered")
Rebuilt engines
Used engines
New engines (also known as "crate engines")
Short block - everything between the cylinder head and the oil pan (excluding those items)
Long block - a short block, with mounted and gasketed cylinder head, valves and camshaft
Crate engine - a new or remanufactured engine, considered to be equivalent to a new engine. Parts include more than a long block, including intake manifold, and carburetor or fuel injection system, oil pan, valve covers, and perhaps an alternator
A short block is an engine sub-assembly comprising the portion of the cylinder block below the head gasket but above the oil pan, which usually includes the assembled engine block, crankshaft, connecting rods, and pistons with piston rings properly installed. An in-block cam engine short block includes the camshaft, timing gear, and any balance shafts. Overhead cam engines don't include those parts.