2012 Ford Edge 3.5L Engine Replacement Choices

[Tre]

Hi I’m new to the forum. The 3.5L engine in my 2012 Ford Edge is done for after a water pump failure.  Its been sitting for a couple of months now because I’m having a hard time finding a replacement used engine locally and even a hardier time trusting to purchase one online. The mechanics in my area (West Palm Beach, FL) either don’t want to install an engine they didn’t order or are “finding” engines that are outrageous in cost $2600+ for engines that have more than 100,000 miles.
 

Finally found a mechanic in my area that was willing to put it in if I ordered and then quoted me $6,000+ for install. Out of desperation I ended up ordering an engine online through Ready to Start Auto, with 60 k miles for $1540 but it didn’t work out , 4 days after ordering and a mistaken text message to me they “claimed the engine I ordered got damaged because of the delivery truck getting into an accident” then tried to sell me one for $2400+ with 120K+ miles, I declined and then I had to go back and forth just to get ALL my money back finally doing so after disputing it with my bank.
 

My question is do I have to replace my vehicle with the same type of engine or is any other year ford edge that would be compatible? Would it be cost-effective to just rebuild it? 
 

It also wouldn’t hurt if anyone has any suggestions for a mechanic in my area that are trustworthy.

 

Thank you!

[DILLARD000]

I've read that the 3.7L can be a drop in replacement for the 3.5L engin,

without Harness changes or PCM programming\tuning changes.

There are videos on YT by MacTFordEdge on doing this.

Did your WaterPump fail & dump coolant into the OilPan, making an Oil+Coolant "MilkShake"?

If it only failed by dumping Coolant out the external WeepHole, then the engine may be  okay?

[Tre]

2 hours ago, DILLARD000 said:

I've read that the 3.7L can be a drop in replacement for the 3.5L engin,

without Harness changes or PCM programming\tuning changes.

There are videos on YT by MacTFordEdge on doing this.

Did your WaterPump fail & dump coolant into the OilPan, making an Oil+Coolant "MilkShake"?

If it only failed by dumping Coolant out the external WeepHole, then the engine may be  okay?

ok yeah I read that too but wasn’t sure. It’s a “milkshake” so it’s done. Thank you so much for responding, I still haven’t gotten an engine yet, one suggestion that I got was was to look through auctions purchasing a vehicle with rear body damage so that’s what I’m attempting to do but at least now I may have the option between the two engines.