Engine Rebuilder on ebay

[mrraford]

Does anybody have experience with the Model A engine rebuilder in California that advertises his work with ebay listings? The photos look good and the prices seem reasonable but I'm wondering how well his work holds up. Anybody have experience with the engines built by modelaengines4U?

[H. L. Chauvin]

Maybe ask him for a list of customers you can call for references.

Cannot hurt.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

"GOOD" pics are available everywhere! LOL Even I could "pose" as an engine rebuilder!!! Bill W.

[Charlie Stephens]

Where is he located (people living nearby should have heard of him) and for that matter where are you located (there may be a good shop close). Have you searched here, on HAMB and AHOOGA for comments on him? Have you been to his shop? I have never heard of him but I am on the west coast, so it might not be an indication if he is on the east coast.

Charlie Stephens

[jhowes]

Charlie; The post says that he is in California.

[Charlie Stephens]

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Originally Posted by jhowes

Charlie; The post says that he is in California.

Actually if you reread the post it says the engine rebuilder is in California. The poster might be in Florida. Even if you assume he is also in California, two people living in California could be 900 miles apart. My response is not just academic, I live in Los Angeles and will be needing an engine rebuilder at some point in the near future.

Charlie Stephens

[28ACoupe]

Find out where he lives/works and talk to some Model A guys from his area via Mafca.

Or, if you are looking to ship your engine to a reputable rebuilder, ask for recommendations here.

[Terry, NJ]

Why not consider James Rodgers? Member of Ford Barn, Lots of guys for feedback, Prices aren't bad.........
Terry

[59mgaguy]

Just for Sh--- and Giggles what does a total rebuild go for? i got an extra engine in the garage I rebuilt in 1996 or 97. Every once and a while when I pass it I pump a little oil to the bearings and turn the engine over. I must have a couple hundred miles on it by now. I have been think about selling my A and all the NOS I got stored in a storage unit. All those fenders and parts get in the way everytime the wife goes over to it. And she reminds me on the rental of the units.

[Aok]

Listing states no returns or exchanges no mention of a guarantee


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Model-A...item20d605d3e9

[James Rogers]

Engine appears to be an H&H rebuild.

[Vern]

Well, the listing is in Turlock, California, way up in the central valley.
H&H is down in the LA suburb of La Crecenta.
Reed's Restoraion & Machine is or was in Turlock.
I can not speak for either as to quality, have no background with them.

[SteveB31]

The builders name and phone # is right in the listing. Turlock Machine in Turlock, CA.

[Chris Haynes]

I have heard nothing but good things about the Turlock builder.

[Reds34]

A couple things; so you don't get that engine, you have to wait 2-3 weeks for him to do one. Now with inserted engines, shouldn't you pressurize the main bearings?

Red

[James Rogers]

Inserted engines don't need to be pressurized to last. I have built many with the original oiling and have had no problems. I am a firm believer that any competent rebuilder would never do any machine work to the pan rails or the main cap seats. These areas are machined at the same time and are how the crank is located to the cam. Changing this could make the relationship incorrect and cause undue wear to the cam or mains or the gears.

Just my experienced opinion.

[Kohnke Rebabbitting]

Originally Posted by James Rogers

Inserted engines don't need to be pressurized to last. I have built many with the original oiling and have had no problems. I am a firm believer that any competent rebuilder would never do any machine work to the pan rails or the main cap seats. These areas are machined at the same time and are how the crank is located to the cam. Changing this could make the relationship incorrect and cause undue wear to the cam or mains or the gears.

Just my experienced opinion.

I don't agree with that, James. If you have a pan rail that is warped by a few thousandths, and many are, you can not surface the block correctly, as the block will teeter, or will pull down at an incorrect angle. Also the same reason for the boring of the cylinders., they have to be with the center line with the crank. Vern has done two Model T's, and one Model A already this year, buy surfacing the pan rails, along with the three Mains part line. You just can't leave them like that.


This does not affect the center distance what so ever. The first thing you should do is , the boring bar has to be set dead center between the two main bolt holes, on no. 1, and 3. That measurement should never again move, and if it does, it should be, redone, and kept there. The next step the boring bar should now ONLY be moved up and down, for Center distance, while the bar is still dead center between the main bolt holes


The only thing that could change is the stack of shims, under the caps. I have always used .032 thousandths, and it never has effected anything what so ever.


Herm.

[P.S.]

That is the guy who attended the NRCG roundup a couple months ago. He had a Model A engine running on a stand in the back of his pickup. Nice enough guy, seems to know his stuff.

Reds34: That engine in the picture does have pressurized bearings. Note the caps over the oil return pipe connections.

Some guys in the Sonora club have had this guy rebuild engines for them, and all have positive comments. Perhaps you could contact the Sonora A's to get in touch with some of them directly and ask about the service they received.

[machine girl]

We have what we think is one of the last larry and adam reed motors. joe (the guy on ebay) did a lot of machine work for the reeds back in the day. nothing bad to say about our reeds motors (had 3) and joe knew his stuff.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by machine girl

We have what we think is one of the last larry and adam reed motors. joe (the guy on ebay) did a lot of machine work for the reeds back in the day. nothing bad to say about our reeds motors (had 3) and joe knew his stuff.

Minerva sported a REED built engine, done in 1996 & would run 80 MPH, with 3.78's & NO overdrive!! (YES, I know that the speedo pegs out at 75, but it would go more after that & it kept the PIZZA REAL HOT!!) Bill W.