Does brand matter?
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Joined: Apr 2006
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Does brand matter?
Is there a big difference between engine rebuild kit brands? if yes then what brand should I look for? and what should I stay away from? I'm going to be rebuilding my 302 V8 and want to keep it as cheap as possible but I want a good quality rebuild.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Hello- Welcome to FTE! Check out the list of tech forums we have on FTE. There is a wealth of information and expertise here to help you. There are a number of links in my sig below to help you also. Have fun! 
The engine will need machine work for a rebuild. Many machinists consider selling parts as part of the job. If they sell the parts then they are responsible for the engine. If you supply the parts and one is defective or something goes wrong later they will point their finger at the parts. It is not worth a few bucks you might save. See your machinist for the parts if you want a good rebuild. Check with your specific engine forum for performance parts brands and recommendations.
The engine will need machine work for a rebuild. Many machinists consider selling parts as part of the job. If they sell the parts then they are responsible for the engine. If you supply the parts and one is defective or something goes wrong later they will point their finger at the parts. It is not worth a few bucks you might save. See your machinist for the parts if you want a good rebuild. Check with your specific engine forum for performance parts brands and recommendations.
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
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From: Southwest Georgia
Torque1st pointed you in the right direction. Check with the machine shop that is going to do the machine work for you. Tell them what you want out of the engine, High performance/Racing, daily driver/smooth running/dependable, Power for towing, etc. and what your budget is. They will recommend what brand and what options to go with and give you a price. Some brands make performance/race parts and are not worth the money if you are not racing or pushing your engine to 6000 rpm, other brands make stock replacement parts for a standard rebuild. So it all depends on what you want out of your engine. Talk with your machine shop, they will help.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Check with another machine shop. There is LOTS more to a rebuild than just boring the block.
There are some books available on engine rebuilding.
http://www.motorhaven.com/catalog/pr...lock_Ford.html
There are some books available on engine rebuilding.
http://www.motorhaven.com/catalog/pr...lock_Ford.html
Last edited by Torque1st; Apr 23, 2006 at 12:47 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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If you're doing the online shopping/eBay deal then it is important to know more about the kits you are looking at than just the price. At the risk of bothering some guys, I'd say that the identity of the kit company is less important than the identity of the components themselves.
Your machinist will know exactly who made the rings, bearings, and gaskets in his kits. If a kit builder/seller can't or won't tell you whose parts he includes - - keep shopping. There are some very good prices on quality parts out there - - and there is some real junk.
Your machinist will know exactly who made the rings, bearings, and gaskets in his kits. If a kit builder/seller can't or won't tell you whose parts he includes - - keep shopping. There are some very good prices on quality parts out there - - and there is some real junk.
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From: Slippery Rock, PA
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,833
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From: Jefferson, Iowa
there are certain things that matter and things that don't, its hard saying with complete kits, i peiced together my 390, because there was not a kit within my price range with the quality i wanted. The best things to invest a lot of money in would be machine work, bearings, oil pump, timing set. I hate to say the rest don't matter, but in my opinion thats where a lot of engines are shorted, and usually one of the first thing to go wrong.i personally have had bad luck with federal mogule bearings, i tend to like cleveite. melling makes a great oil pump, with cloyes with the double roller timing set.
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New User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: northwest florida
engine rebuild kits
The last several engines that I have rebuilt used kits that I purchased from Northern Auto Parts. They have about the best prices that I have found and they use top name parts in the kits. You can upgrade from the standard rings, bearings,pistons,oil pumps and cams. THeir phone is 1-800-831-0884. I just noticed that the rebuild kit for a 302 in 219.00. I have been very happy with my dealings with them!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 239
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Hmmmm. I agree with something everyone's written. I find that the run-of-the-mill shop certainly wants to sell the parts, and usually for $500 or more than the discount outlets. I also find that the run-of-the-mill shops' parts tend to be the cheaper end of the name brand stuff. Oh, they'll sell you the good stuff for even more money if you ask... it's just that their high markup on parts means they initially try to keep the bill down by going with cheaper parts. Tricks to every trade, you know.
A good shop charges a fair price for their machining without trying little parts pricing tricks to make themselves look like "the cheapest deal in town." They also inspect the parts regardless of who sells them and reject flawed parts. A good shop will tell you what parts to buy so that your engine is as good as it can be given your budget.
The old days of the cheap come-on low-ball price for machining so they can surprise you with a high parts charge is gone, thanks to the internet. The good shops have figured this out. The run-of-the-mill shops are the ones still acting pissy when you figure out how to save BIG dollars over their high markups on parts. Avoid them.
A good shop charges a fair price for their machining without trying little parts pricing tricks to make themselves look like "the cheapest deal in town." They also inspect the parts regardless of who sells them and reject flawed parts. A good shop will tell you what parts to buy so that your engine is as good as it can be given your budget.
The old days of the cheap come-on low-ball price for machining so they can surprise you with a high parts charge is gone, thanks to the internet. The good shops have figured this out. The run-of-the-mill shops are the ones still acting pissy when you figure out how to save BIG dollars over their high markups on parts. Avoid them.
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