390 Crate Options
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2023
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390 Crate Options
I’ve been looking into a 390 crate for my 73 Highboy. So far I’ve found a few options; S&J, Mabbco, or Bumpside Treasures.
Am wondering if anyone has any experience with any of these vendors.
Am wondering if anyone has any experience with any of these vendors.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,894
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I wouldn't consider one myself. if you're not comfortable rebuilding your engine find a good local machine shop and have them do it to your specs with quality parts.
You'll be way better off and if there is any additional cost you know it's because you have a better end product. there's no way some rebuilder can ship and engine both ways and be cheaper unless they used cheaper parts and minimum wage flunkies to do the work.
You'll be way better off and if there is any additional cost you know it's because you have a better end product. there's no way some rebuilder can ship and engine both ways and be cheaper unless they used cheaper parts and minimum wage flunkies to do the work.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 709
Ok. And….?
Pull it, take the thing to a reputable machine shop, and see what they say. Unless the block is cracked, it’s already been bored to maximum specifications, or there’s terrible core shift present they can fix almost anything. It will be much cheaper and any problems you have can be resolved by driving just a few miles vs. packing up a 500lb engine and shipping it back to the builder.
Pull it, take the thing to a reputable machine shop, and see what they say. Unless the block is cracked, it’s already been bored to maximum specifications, or there’s terrible core shift present they can fix almost anything. It will be much cheaper and any problems you have can be resolved by driving just a few miles vs. packing up a 500lb engine and shipping it back to the builder.
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,517
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It's either rebuildable or not. Only a teardown and measurements of the bore along with the usual other inspections will tell the tale.
What do you want from a rebuild? More power? Or just a reliable mover?
What do you want from a rebuild? More power? Or just a reliable mover?
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 458
Likes: 123
From: Arkansas
Do you have a 360 FE in it now? Where are you seeing blue rtv? Just because an intake or something was sealed doesn't mean it's been rebuilt or bored out. I had a 360 FE completely rebuilt and assembled up to the intake with a 390 crank/rods by a local builder for like $2400 or $2600 in 2020. Prices are probably worse now but better off than buying most mass produced remans. All I did was drop off the 360 FE and he did everything from cleaning to assembly.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 311
Likes: 35
I put in a 400 with an RV cam from SandJEngines.com. It arrived in less than two weeks with break-in oil, a gasket set, upgraded (from stock nylon) timing set, and claimed other improvements over OEM. I paid $2200 shipped to my buddy's driveway. When I priced out basic rebuilds for my engine locally it was $4000+. I went from a blown up 351M in my truck, to a 400 arriving 10 days later, and having my truck running within 2 weekends after that.
I've put about 20k miles on my truck with this engine (I don't drive it that often) in Los Angeles traffic, desert wheeling/rock crawling, long trips (4-5 hours). Their customer service was great and answered all of my questions before I purchased. Truck passes California smog no problem (not that a basic rebuild should have much effect on that). I would 100% recommend them and purchase from them again for any of my vehicles.
I've put about 20k miles on my truck with this engine (I don't drive it that often) in Los Angeles traffic, desert wheeling/rock crawling, long trips (4-5 hours). Their customer service was great and answered all of my questions before I purchased. Truck passes California smog no problem (not that a basic rebuild should have much effect on that). I would 100% recommend them and purchase from them again for any of my vehicles.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
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You paid less because you got less. and in a custom build that's possible to do also, just use the cheapest import parts available and do the very minimum on everything. I can build an engine for $2200 , but I'd sell it to someone else because I wouldn't want it. I just finished a big block chevy L78 and I'm in it $3600 . this is with US mase parts, hypereutectics, roller cam, all the best machine work and balanced. just for an example.
Not to say remans are never any good or they don't fit anyone's needs. if you want cheap and fast they might serve you well. just not my cup of tea.
Not to say remans are never any good or they don't fit anyone's needs. if you want cheap and fast they might serve you well. just not my cup of tea.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
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I don't think there's any evidence an engine built by low paid workers installing Chinese parts into an engine with questionable machine work is a great deal.
Just think about it logically, we all know what shipping costs these days. how many corners do you have to cut to ship an engine both ways and still come in somewhat cheaper than you can build one locally? I know the guys at the machine shop I use, they aren't eating caviar and driving new Vette's so do the math.
Just think about it logically, we all know what shipping costs these days. how many corners do you have to cut to ship an engine both ways and still come in somewhat cheaper than you can build one locally? I know the guys at the machine shop I use, they aren't eating caviar and driving new Vette's so do the math.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 311
Likes: 35
You're making a lot of assumptions without any facts. OP asked the simple question of if anyone had used any of those businesses and what their review of them was, I shared mine. I recommend you reach out to S&J and ask them about the concerns 440 sixpack has if that troubles you at all. Speaking from experience, I use my truck and put it through it's paces with this motor (not just cruising around my town) and I know a handful of people who have since bought engines from them for various vehicles because it was cheaper than the repair work they were facing or a rebuild.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,894
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S&J has been around a while and is one of the better ones. but from what I've seen the cost savings on an apples to apples rebuild is minimal at best.
The other problem people overlook is the warranty. yes they have a short warranty, but consider the logistics if you need to use it.
people just need to understand there is no mass production rebuilder machine you just toss an engine into and it comes out rebuilt. it takes labor and parts no matter who builds it or where, so in order to save big money something has to be sacrificed. whatever I don't care I'm done.
The other problem people overlook is the warranty. yes they have a short warranty, but consider the logistics if you need to use it.
people just need to understand there is no mass production rebuilder machine you just toss an engine into and it comes out rebuilt. it takes labor and parts no matter who builds it or where, so in order to save big money something has to be sacrificed. whatever I don't care I'm done.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 325
From: Central Florida
Jasper has a good rep mostly because they will only sell to installers trained by them. That's for stock engines. There are other rebuilders that focus on performance and usually have two or three "stages" to choose from. As the old timers used to say, "Horsepower costs money, how fast you wanna go?"
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Trailering
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 22
Likes: 1
Thanks for the input everyone.
Regarding having my current motor rebuilt locally, I have talked to a local shop and they told me it could cost anywhere between $3k or $10k for a factory spec rebuild, but they wouldn’t know until they got into it. That’s too much of a variable for me to buy into and cross my fingers.
I’ve done a little bit of looking around regarding remans and I thought the 3 places I mentioned seemed legit. But was looking for an input someone may have from experience. Not really looking for a mass production outfit.
For me the way I look at it is that I have a truck that may fetch $10k - $15k the way it sits now. If I dump a $10k motor into it it doesn’t add value.
I’m basically looking for a reliable/affordable option to clean up what I already have. Current motor has a passenger side manifold leak and is seeping oil from who knows where.
Regarding having my current motor rebuilt locally, I have talked to a local shop and they told me it could cost anywhere between $3k or $10k for a factory spec rebuild, but they wouldn’t know until they got into it. That’s too much of a variable for me to buy into and cross my fingers.
I’ve done a little bit of looking around regarding remans and I thought the 3 places I mentioned seemed legit. But was looking for an input someone may have from experience. Not really looking for a mass production outfit.
For me the way I look at it is that I have a truck that may fetch $10k - $15k the way it sits now. If I dump a $10k motor into it it doesn’t add value.
I’m basically looking for a reliable/affordable option to clean up what I already have. Current motor has a passenger side manifold leak and is seeping oil from who knows where.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 458
Likes: 123
From: Arkansas
If you're focused on selling it just fix the manifold leak and oil leak, which could be from the intake.
I mean if your motivation for putting a new engine in it is how much it will add to the sale value, why do it? If I were buying a truck I would rather have the original engine with things unmolested by people removing and installing things. A rebuildable 360 is like a blank canvas.
I mean if your motivation for putting a new engine in it is how much it will add to the sale value, why do it? If I were buying a truck I would rather have the original engine with things unmolested by people removing and installing things. A rebuildable 360 is like a blank canvas.
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