[kwplot34]

I have decided not to rebuild my original motor,matching # block,some friends talked me out of it, they said it would be a shame to build it up and risk throwing a rod through the block or damage the heads,but that i should pull it and store it away and find another motor to hot rod,and build the original back factory for later use.

I have been searching the web and magazines for a new motor, thinking of using a crate turn key since it will have all the components with it, want to stay with a small block possibly a 350/375hp or a 383/400hp. but with so many builders to choose from, i decided to ask the forum about who they know,have used,or friends have used,and have had success with. i will take all suggestions and average out and make decision from there.

Thanks in advance for all opinions (good or bad) so everybody chime in.:thumbsup:

Kevin

 

[mike82]

These guys come highly recommended


http://www.enginefactory.com/

:thumbsup:

 

[kwplot34]

These guys come highly recommended


http://www.enginefactory.com/

:thumbsup:

thank you i have checked them out.:thumbsup: one vote for engine factory.

come on guys, surely you have some experience with somebody.:thumbsup:

 

[grumpyvette]

http://ohiocrank.com/enginekits.html

http://www.shafiroff.com/

I vote for these guys

 

[TwinTurbo]

You have a 78 L82, seriously how much more valuable do you think it would be with a # matching block or a serious hot rod motor? I think the latter will bring more $$$$ The L82 short block is a fairly decent platform, if in good shape it may be a nice base to build up something nice and put your budget towards better components (read non chinese stuff) and maybe upgrade some other stuff like brakes in the process.

Just my .02

 

[kwplot34]

http://ohiocrank.com/enginekits.html

http://www.shafiroff.com/

I vote for these guys

thank you. ohio crank was one i had not seen before.
one vote for ohio crank.
one vote for shafroff.

 

[kwplot34]

You have a 78 L82, seriously how much more valuable do you think it would be with a # matching block or a serious hot rod motor? I think the latter will bring more $$$$ The L82 short block is a fairly decent platform, if in good shape it may be a nice base to build up something nice and put your budget towards better components (read non chinese stuff) and maybe upgrade some other stuff like brakes in the process.

Just my .02

thanks TT. would just prefer to not mess up the original motor. it may not make the car that much more valuable now,but some day to somebody it might, the rest of the car is in great shape,i have done a lot of work to it, and about the only thing left is the motor, the one in it now runs great,but would like to have some more ponies. so for now i am going to opt for a new motor. eventually i will completely rebuild the original motor but it will go back to factory specs,and someday i might just put it back in. the car is all original im the 2nd owner, i rescued it in january, it had been in underground storage here for 14 years. just trying to have my cake and eat it too,hotrod now-original later. keep in mind im not after mountain moving HP here,400 ponies would be nice.:thumbsup:

 

[TwinTurbo]

well...mine only had 34K miles on it, didn't stop me from cutting it up... just 'nother 82

 

[kwplot34]

well...mine only had 34K miles on it, didn't stop me from cutting it up... just 'nother 82

because that is not what i want to do.

back to original question. do you have any suggestions on an egine builder?

 

[BBShark]

I don't know how close this guy is to you but this is a good guy to contact. Tell him what you want and he will make it for you. When I say he will make it. I mean he will do all the machining and assembly. Nothing is farmed out.

Dekker's Machine & Engine St Jerome, ID (208) 324-7984

 

[TwinTurbo]

because that is not what i want to do.

back to original question. do you have any suggestions on an egine builder?

no sorry, don't think you can go wrong w/ scott shafiroff though

 

[kwplot34]

I don't know how close this guy is to you but this is a good guy to contact. Tell him what you want and he will make it for you. When I say he will make it. I mean he will do all the machining and assembly. Nothing is farmed out.

Dekker's Machine & Engine St Jerome, ID (208) 324-7984

distance is not a concern. i will either go get it or have it shipped.
thanks for your suggestion,i will call them unless they have a web-site.

one vote for Dekker's.:thumbsup:

 

[kwplot34]

no sorry, don't think you can go wrong w/ scott shafiroff though

2 for shafiroff.

 

[mrvette]

Rebuilding engines is not total rocket science....but you need find someone who cares...and that's exhibited by his location and equipment....now you laugh...

location.....most guys dunno this, BUT when building engines down to total flat out race car specs....you need a shop out in never never land....

why??

remember the balance is within grams of a spinning mass of many KG's or Pounds, or even more....

now, if there is any ground vibration during the balance spin/test....it can toss the readings off....SO.....NO

GROUND TRAFFIC, no earth vibrations....totally stable concrete and balance machines....

this from an olde tyme NASCAR builder of years ago....I forget his name but he was off US1 in Laurel Maryland 20 years ago....

wonder of more 'modern' machinery would compensate for that or not....

he used to balance his engines at 3 am.....serious....

 

[kwplot34]

Rebuilding engines is not total rocket science....but you need find someone who cares...and that's exhibited by his location and equipment....now you laugh...

location.....most guys dunno this, BUT when building engines down to total flat out race car specs....you need a shop out in never never land....

why??

remember the balance is within grams of a spinning mass of many KG's or Pounds, or even more....

now, if there is any ground vibration during the balance spin/test....it can toss the readings off....SO.....NO

GROUND TRAFFIC, no earth vibrations....totally stable concrete and balance machines....

this from an olde tyme NASCAR builder of years ago....I forget his name but he was off US1 in Laurel Maryland 20 years ago....

wonder of more 'modern' machinery would compensate for that or not....

he used to balance his engines at 3 am.....serious....

uuuuhhhhh ok :lookinup: . i have re-built quite a few motors in my life time, minus the machine work have to send it out for that. it's not that i want to get out of building another one, but since i am not going to use any of the components on the car now, and since you can get a new motor fully dressed and turn key ready, it is actually cheaper than buying all the compomemts and doing it yourself for eg: block,rotating assy,balanced,valve train,t/cover,v/cover's,oil pan,accy brackets,alt,ps/pump. and on and on.

 

[big2bird]

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=NAL-12498772&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=NAL-24502609&autoview=sku

 

[TimAT]

Kevin, we need to talk. Really, there's guys in KC that do really good work. They're sometimes a bit slow, but everyone gets busy. And I HAVE A PLAN!!

:cheers:

 

[kwplot34]

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=NAL-12498772&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=NAL-24502609&autoview=sku

thanks B2B. i have their info.:thumbsup:

ok one vote for summit.
i don't see a pattern forming yet.:huh:

B2B you live in CA, there has to be some reputible builders out their?

 

[kwplot34]

Kevin, we need to talk. Really, there's guys in KC that do really good work. They're sometimes a bit slow, but everyone gets busy. And I HAVE A PLAN!!

:cheers:

Thanks Tim for calling me with your info, now hurry up and get back in town.:laughing:

one silent vote cast.:rolling:

 

[big2bird]

thanks B2B. i have their info.:thumbsup:

ok one vote for summit.
i don't see a pattern forming yet.:huh:

B2B you live in CA, there has to be some reputible builders out their?

I am sure there are. All the ones I used to use have passed on. Have not checked around lately.