Hi everyone, I'm a big poster on the '48-56 board, first time here.

My son has a Gehl skidsteer with a four cylinder Deutz diesel. The engine spun a rod bearing and trashed the crank. The implement dealer wants $1200 for a new crank and $400 for a crank kit. I found a place called Pilot Engines who will remanufacture the entire engine, top to bottom for around $5500, including a new crank and shipping both ways. The implement dealer is only quoting cost of the crank and bearings. This doesn't include assembling and installing the engine and putting the skidsteer back together. They're saying around $10,000 when all is done.

My kid has had a lot of equipment break downs on the farm, mainly because of the cold. He has another piece of equipment down with a $6000 cost so I'm trying to save him as much as I can by doing the installation myself. I just want to find out as much as I can about Pilot Engines before I plop down $5500. The price seems pretty good.

I found only one mention of Pilot Engines in the diesel boards and all it was a link to their web site. I figure maybe some of you diesel guys might have bought engines for your trucks or maybe other piece of equipment you have. Any information, good or bad, will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,