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.

[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.

[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.

[turlockmachine]

Hello guys, my name is Joe Sivils and I own Turlock machine and my ebay name is modelaengines4u. I have been rebuilding model a engines since 1999. All of my engines carry a 2 year warranty and I was unaware of the no returns thing on my ebay auctions. I will fix that right away and thanks for mentioning that. I would be happy to answer any questions either on here or by phone at 209-495-1689 about my engines. I have an extensive reference sheet available on request. I build both pressurized and non pressurized engines and ship all over the U.S.

[zzlegend]

Thanks Joe for the good response. I always see your ebay listings when I search model a parts. Good luck with your engines and your business. Mark.

[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.

[leroux]

i looked into getting him to do a motor build for me. He seemed pretty straight shooter. a bit laggy in correspondence. My pops buddy in Paso Robles had him do a simple long block touring motor for him. He hasn't had one issue...minus the deer he hit.

[P.S.]

Down payment (50% of the total) was made 11/18/2014. Core motor parts delivered. One of my friends went to the shop to check on his own motor and asked about mine. No expected date of completion yet.

When I first spoke with Joe about buying a rebuilt "touring" motor from him, he was saying I'd be back on the road before Christmas.

I'm not in any big hurry due to winter weather and really not having time to swap the motor yet anyway, so no biggie. Just providing an update for you guys.

[Ross/Kzoo]

Well, he's got 11 months til Christmas.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by Ross/Kzoo

Well, he's got 11 months til Christmas.

Ha ha! Yes, you're correct.

[P.S.]

Received a phone call from Joe today (actually two calls).

Said the core crank I provided isn't usable, so I need to provide another. Also the block has a defect and gave me a choice of repairing the block or providing another block. I decided to provide another block core.

He is keeping me informed and is responsive again. He will be at the Turlock swap with a Model A motor running on a stand, but it won't be mine. There was a chance his stand motor was going to end up being mine (thus shortening my break-in procedure!).

[hardtimes]

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Originally Posted by P.S.

Received a phone call from Joe today (actually two calls).

Said the core crank I provided isn't usable, so I need to provide another. Also the block has a defect and gave me a choice of repairing the block or providing another block. I decided to provide another block core.

He is keeping me informed and is responsive again. He will be at the Turlock swap with a Model A motor running on a stand, but it won't be mine. There was a chance his stand motor was going to end up being mine (thus shortening my break-in procedure!).

Hey P.S.,
My Russian B was built in Turlock by the Reed bunch (father/son..now out of business). I have spoken/emailed Joe over a long period of time. Unknown, at first, was that Joe was the 'braintrust' behind the Reed operation. I was convinced that Joe was/is able to build ANY kind of A/B engine that you can pay for, so I was going to have him build a hot B...but alas the $ evaporated before that happened. Yes , he is in Turlock and perhaps anyone interested in how well Joe knows his trade , i.e.- building A/B engines...if going to Turlock swap meet soon, would make a visit to Joes' shop for look/see for yourself. I did same with the Reed shop and yeah they were slackers with too much to do and not enough time to do it. No other workers...just two of them. Don't know Joes' time table, but I wouldn't be in a hurry....AS LONG AS THE COMMUNICATION WAS EXECELLENT ! One hint, meant to be helpful, that Reed did at my request, was to take pictures of all parts purchased and installed and of machining. I have a beautiful picture documentary of the engine build. It has Terry Burtz seals and hasn't leaked a drop in thirteen years ! But, all the best parts were used new...including a new crank. Good luck with your builds Joe.

[waxhead]

Any updates??

[jm29henry]

have you thought about (B TERRY) he is a member and a well respected model a restorer .If PA. is not to far from you I think he would be a great choice !!!!!!

[P.S.]

I'm in California. Turlock Machine is about 1.5 hours' drive from my home. Brent Terry's place is several days of driving.

Besides, a bunch of people in my club are anxious to see what kind of work Joe does, and I ended up being the guinea pig.

Joe is a VERY nice man, and a pleasure with which to speak. The delays are apparently just a byproduct of quality work I am told.

[Terry,NJ]

As far as I know, Brent Terry doesn't rebuild engines. I think he said one time, that he has James Rodgers (Another Ford Barn member) do them. I may be wrong about that, but that's what I think I know. The rebuilder that is from Pa is Ora Landis, of Schwalm's Babbited Bearings, in Strasburg, Pa
Terry

Originally Posted by jm29henry

have you thought about (B TERRY) he is a member and a well respected model a restorer .If PA. is not to far from you I think he would be a great choice !!!!!!

[Ron in Quincy]

Joe Sivils, Turlock Machine, is listed on Plucks Web Site under "Engine Restoration" here on the Ford Barn.

I spent a half day with Joe at his shop just before the Turlock Swap. He is very knowledgeable about rebuilding A and B engines.

The most impressive statement he made " I guarantee my rebuilt engines for 2 years"

Where else can you get this kind of guarantee ?

Ron Rude
Quincy, CA

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Ron in Quincy

Joe Sivils, Turlock Machine, is listed on Plucks Web Site under "Engine Restoration" here on the Ford Barn.

I spent a half day with Joe at his shop just before the Turlock Swap. He is very knowledgeable about rebuilding A and B engines.

The most impressive statement he made " I guarantee my rebuilt engines for 2 years"

Where else can you get this kind of guarantee ?

Ron Rude
Quincy, CA

Ummm. Ron. ....Me. I actually give a warranty longer than that one. . I think there are others that give two years or longer too, but your point is agreed that two years should give peace of mind to a customer.

[waxhead]

Originally Posted by P.S.

I'm in California. Turlock Machine is about 1.5 hours' drive from my home. Brent Terry's place is several days of driving.

Besides, a bunch of people in my club are anxious to see what kind of work Joe does, and I ended up being the guinea pig.

Joe is a VERY nice man, and a pleasure with which to speak. The delays are apparently just a byproduct of quality work I am told.

Is Joe building you a pressurised motor??

[mrraford]

Wow! some strings just won't die!
I ended up getting Bert's in Denver to build me an insert engine.

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by mrraford

Wow! some strings just won't die!....

That's because I have been giving updates to this thread. Do you think a separate thread would have been better?

Originally Posted by waxhead

Is Joe building you a pressurised motor??

He's building a touring motor for me.

Update: I spoke to Joe on the phone yesterday. Joe said he is indeed now working on my motor. Joe said it will be finished either the end of this week or beginning of next week. He also said he would take pictures. I will share when they are made available.

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by mrraford

Wow! some strings just won't die!
I ended up getting Bert's in Denver to build me an insert engine.

I enjoy following the whole story in one place and appreciate the time he is taking to update it.

Charlie Stephens

[Duffy1]

Enjoy following these kind of stories.

[BlueSunoco]

Me too. Appreciate the guys that follow through with updates. Date of the thread is not important to me, the information I glean from it IS

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by BlueSunoco

Me too. Appreciate the guys that follow through with updates. Date of the thread is not important to me, the information I glean from it IS

Ditto, it's not fun trying to find another thread to learn "the rest of the story", as Paul Harvey would say.

[P.S.]

Another update:

I received a telephone call from Joe today, he really needs our prayers. A health issue has popped up and he is having difficulty. Please extend some good wishes his way.

Despite his health woes, he expects my Model A touring motor to be finished around the end of next week.

[waxhead]

Originally Posted by forever4

It doesn't seem to stop him from continuing to post more ads this week on ebay soliciting more business, even if he can't deliver the work on hand that was promised months ago.

More info please !!

[turlockmachine]

I suppose that now would be a good time for me to pipe in.... I have been struggling with a loss of energy for the last several months and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. I immediately changed my eating lifestyle and went on a strict diet (along with medicine) and began losing weight. My blood sugar has for the most part returned to normal but recently has been going low which has been affecting my ability to function. I recently changed doctors who yesterday reduced my diabetes medicine, which has already had a positive effect on my energy level, took me off of the cholesterol medicine, and told me that I was doing good and to stay on my diet which should eventually allow me to control this without medicine. This whole ordeal has put me behind in my schedule and I really appreciate the patience that people have extended to me. I am a one person operation and this issue has affected my schedule but I should be back on track with my original schedule by mid march.

[Franchise_24]

Originally Posted by turlockmachine

I suppose that now would be a good time for me to pipe in.... I have been struggling with a loss of energy for the last several months and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol. I immediately changed my eating lifestyle and went on a strict diet (along with medicine) and began losing weight. My blood sugar has for the most part returned to normal but recently has been going low which has been affecting my ability to function. I recently changed doctors who yesterday reduced my diabetes medicine, which has already had a positive effect on my energy level, took me off of the cholesterol medicine, and told me that I was doing good and to stay on my diet which should eventually allow me to control this without medicine. This whole ordeal has put me behind in my schedule and I really appreciate the patience that people have extended to me. I am a one person operation and this issue has affected my schedule but I should be back on track with my original schedule by mid march.

Good luck with your health, that is more important anyways. Congrats on being proactive and trying to control it through diet and weight loss.

[P.S.]

I'd rather have a healthy motor rebuilding guy than a guy who is struggling and unable to do it anymore.

Let's extend Joe our heartfelt hopes that he is able to regain his health soon.

[1931 flamingo]

Follow Dr's orders. I'm a type 2 also and take meds for the diabetes and cholesterol, all readings are good as long as I take my meds.
Get Well ! !
Paul in CT

[P.S.]

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Update:

OK, guys and gals... I have good news to report on both Joe and the motor!

Joe has now seen a different doctor and stopped a medication that was obviously causing him difficulty. Through diet and some activity, Joe has been able to control his diabetes. This is EXCELLENT news!

Joe has been texting and calling to keep me updated on the motor progress. His communications have been excellent. The word now is that the machine work for the motor should be completed in the next couple of days and the motor should be completed by Friday. This is also excellent news.

The only hold-up remaining is because of me. I requested that Joe install the valve cover style oil filter kit on the long block touring motor, and as many know, they have been out of stock. Well, Joe and I spoke today, and apparently Snyder's has some in stock now, so they are sending some to Joe. After that, the motor will be ready to go.

Joe mentioned that he could have it completed and running on the stand Friday, and if so, he will call so I can come over and check it out.

[PO51]

Joe,
Glad to hear you are doing better, take care of yourself!

[P.S.]

UPDATE:

Spoke to Joe this morning. In fact, we spoke for about 30 minutes and Joe shared some excellent information about various topics. Very generous with his time and knowledge.

Joe said he has some oil filter kits on the way that should arrive on Wednesday. Assuming the big brown truck is on time, Joe says he should be assembling the motor on Wednesday and it should be running on the stand by Thursday.

[P.S.]

UPDATE:

Picked up the motor yesterday. Sorry for the delay, haven't had a chance to log in until now.

I arrived just as Joe was lifting the engine to the test stand and got to video it being fired up for the very first time. After it cooled, a radiator and coolant was added to the test stand and we ran the motor for a long time. It runs really, really well! So smooth too.

Joe also spent hours showing me what he does to the motors, and used machined pieces in progress to show how the pieces work and why he does what he does. Joe is VERY generous with his time and knowledge.

I'm going to get some help swapping the motor into the Tudor soon. Really looking forward to getting the Model A back on the road, it's been dead since the end of October.

[waxhead]

Glad to see you have your engine. Will be interested to hear what you think about it once it is installed and running. Thanks for the update.

[Skibb]

MY first engine rebuiler, Ben Bohanan, wasnt on ebay but runs a "professional" Antique Auto Restoration Service in Maysville, Ga. We pulled the car out of his place last May when we came to the realization that we were being bilked after fifteen months and thousands on thousands of cash spent in his place.

In June, Ben's engine siezed on startup. But he gives no warranty - total fraud.

The car has a Sheridan Transmission Kit. But Ben did not provide the clutch plate, stub and shifter that Tim Sheridan shipped with the trans. We had to discover what all was needed over this past weekend. Ben says yesterday "...figure out what you have and go to a junk yard for what you need". How about that for quality customer service.

Tim has promised to help find a stub and shifter and told us what clutch plate to use. Mr. Sheridan is a good man.

A new engine by South Florida Crank and Machine was started yesterday It runs great, has even compression in all four and promises to be the touring engine we were looking for. Larry Buschon of South Fla gave us a counter balanced crank, larger intake valves, Stipe cam and lightened flywheel. Without prompting Larry said the motor had a lifetime warranty on his work. He even called during step up and start up to insure we had the support needed.

My wife and I were blindsided with a nightmare in Maysville. Pictures of the cracked block, loose peening on the head and the bearing that wrapped around the crank are my profile.

But the Sun shines on this restoration now thanks the dedication for two generous car guys. Mr. B and Mr. F dont want their names used but they and me are rebuilding the Maysville tragedy.

We enjoy the Model A Highway and the special folks met along the way.

[P.S.]

Another update:

Finished installing the touring rebuild from Turlock Machine a couple days ago. Yesterday was the first time I was able to drive the car around. Put about 20 miles on the clock running errands and putting the motor through several warm-up/cool-down cycles. Have re-tourqued the head once. The motor runs like a dream! Very smooth, never misses a beat.

Not a drop of any fluids on the floor under the car after parking it for the night. Amazing!

Will be putting some real miles on it this weekend if everything works out. Based on results so far, this one is a winner and far exceeds my expectations.

[waxhead]

Glad to hear that it is running well. Thanks for the feedback.

[LopezCarguy]

Joe is great guy and very good machinist, a engine rebuild goes from $3600 to $5,000 depending on what is done to engine...interesting because you can buy a 350 Chev. crate motor from Chevrolet for $2500 complete with heads.....

[P.S.]

Originally Posted by LopezCarguy

Joe is great guy and very good machinist, a engine rebuild goes from $3600 to $5,000 depending on what is done to engine...interesting because you can buy a 350 Chev. crate motor from Chevrolet for $2500 complete with heads.....

Not sure if you are unhappy about the price difference or merely comparing. I would point out that the Chevrolet crate motor utilizes foreign labor while Joe (Turlock Machine) is not only American, but a patriotic American.

If price point is your main concern, I see that Joe's Model A motor rebuilding is comparably priced with other Model A motor rebuilders on average.

Have almost 100 miles on the motor right now, never misses a beat. Will be adding a bunch more miles today also. Need to get past the break-in period before the long drive to the NCRG roundup at the end of May.

[Charlie Stephens]

Originally Posted by LopezCarguy

Joe is great guy and very good machinist, a engine rebuild goes from $3600 to $5,000 depending on what is done to engine...interesting because you can buy a 350 Chev. crate motor from Chevrolet for $2500 complete with heads.....

This just goes to show you that high volume, learning curves , and a production line really cut costs. I wonder what a 350 Chevy crate motor would cost if they were built one at a time?

Charlie Stephens

[Dodge]

It not just the foreign labor on the small block chevy's but volume, a complete engine
kit for one with Pistons, rings, bearings, cam bearings, camshaft, gaskets and timing chain
set is $200-250...wow I wonder what will happen when chevy 350's are 85 years old and
needing rebuilding ha ha.

[5window]

Originally Posted by Dodge

It not just the foreign labor on the small block chevy's but volume, a complete engine
kit for one with Pistons, rings, bearings, cam bearings, camshaft, gaskets and timing chain
set is $200-250...wow I wonder what will happen when chevy 350's are 85 years old and
needing rebuilding ha ha.

Well, they're halfway there-47 years old being introduced in '67-and there are one or two more of them than Model A engines, so I expect they'll still be cheaper to rebuild-and maybe even buy new.

[PO51]

I'm having my 351 W engine in my 69 Mach1 rebuilt by a shop here in SoCal. It's getting a 408 stroker kit and the stock heads are getting serious reworking, the cost is $6000.I could get a crate motor for a little less, but it won't be worked on an assembled by a craftsman, you get what you pay for.

[LopezCarguy]

Joe; hope all is going better with your health...as much as I would like my engine in short time, I would not expect you to work if not feeling well...let me know how things are going and pictures would also be nice...thanks for your efforts...Dick Bangsund Lopez Island Wa.

[arnhemmer]

How's that engine from Bert's working out for you. Thinking about ordering from them.

[geoking]

References needed: I am going to have an inserted B engine built and need up to date advice.PLEASE . If you have recent experience with an engine builder, good or bad...please contact me or provide your number for me to call.
Thank you very much!
George King
Huntsville Al
256 520 4401 cell
[email protected] email

[dlshady]

Welcome to the asylum George!

[Y-Blockhead]

What's the latest on the "T". https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67881

[Pickupman]

Why not start a new thread with your questions instead of hijacking this thread? I'm sure you will get a better response.

[Kohnke Rebabbitting]

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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.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Pickupman

Why not start a new thread with your questions instead of hijacking this thread? I'm sure you will get a better response.

Well, EXCUUUSSSEEE ME!!!

[dlshady]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

What's the latest on the "T" https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67881

It's still moving along, and I need my butt kicked for not having updated the thread in so long. Once I get a little bit of tax paperwork out of the way this week I'll get busy with a proper update.

[Chris Haynes]

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

[Chris Haynes]

Here is my Inserted engine with Pressure oiling, Counterbalanced B Crank, Riley head, Yada, Yada, Yada. Just finished by Joe Sivils at Turlock Machine. Joe Sivils runs a one man shop. His attention to detail is superb.