I have a 66 250 with a 352 in it. the truck is in great shape but the engine makes some scary noises. I was considering installing a remanufactured engine. maybe a 390 to get a little more power out of it. I heard some one mention auto engines.com . does anyone have any advice on companies? I am thinking a long block.

thanks,
brad

 

You would be miles ahead finding a local to build your engine. IMHO

A lot of remans bore them out to 60 over and what ever fits. They all leave the house the same.

Find a 75-76 360, they have the hardened heads, buy a 390 crank and rod set, have that engine built and swap them out when you are ready. You don't have to be without the truck more than a couple days.


John

 

A local builder is not going to give you any kind of warranty. Try S&S Auto Engines:

http://www.rebuilt-auto-engines.com/ford-engines.html

I have a 390 long block from them in my 64 Galaxie. Excellent price, service, and warranty.

 

great , thanks for the advice.

brad

 

That's a pretty broad brush stroke to paint on ever local that is trying to do right by the folks he does work for. There are some that wont but most folk that I know will stand behind their work. IMHO

There is no customization in their engines either, you take what they have.

By the time 600lbs of shipping is added in twice, and the trucking company tell you we can't deliver there, and it only to the rear of the truck, you have to get it on and off yourself, the shine can wear off real quick.

John

 

Chump, the local shop I've worked for warrantees their work, and you get to choose the compression and cam that you want. If you want a stroker crank, or ported heads, or whatever, you can get it. Our prices have always seemed competitive, and when you add the shipping costs from some of the nationals......the locals can be pretty good, if you can find a guy who knows what he is doing. DinosaurFan, on work's old 'puter

 

Around here, it's pot luck with either (local build or reman) I've had two remans that were fine, just as good as the locals. Finding a local who understands FE's is rare.

 

i'm up in the mountain of colorado, so the nearest "good" mechanic is going to be 2 hours away in denver. I'm really not looking for a mega horsepower motor, just something reliable, and cost effective. (although i have to admit, i didn't think about the shipping cost, to the mountains, both ways!)

 

See what Checker or Auto Zone can do for you too....

--Mike

 

I promise you will not be happy with autozone motor. I bought one and it was great for about 3 months! Proper break in and then I went muddin. Noticed a slight knock in the motor. Thought it was just a lil low on oil. I parked the truck for 8 months(military had to deploy) when I cam home Still had knock. My buddy owns a garage so I asked him to diagnose the knock and give me an estimate for the issue. I fought with recon engines Company that autozone uses for the crate motors. They refused to honor the warrenty. I was within the warenty period. I fought with them for months until I gave up. They told me I could ship, out of my own pocket, the motor back to them and they would check/fix the problem. Then I could pay for shipping back to me. ****AUTOZONEENGINES! I would find somthing local.

btw my buddy said it was a bent wrist pin... Never really heard of that happening before would that be an easy fix cause my 1500 mile motor is sitting in nc with a bent wrist pin.

 

"That's a pretty broad brush stroke to paint on ever local that is trying to do right by the folks he does work for. There are some that wont but most folk that I know will stand behind their work. IMHO"

Will a local builder offer a 7 year/70,000 warranty like S&S?

"There is no customization in their engines either, you take what they have."

Wrong. They built my with a non-stock, double-roller timing chain and a hotter cam. They will build the engine any way you like, even using parts that you send them.

"By the time 600lbs of shipping is added in twice, and the trucking company tell you we can't deliver there, and it only to the rear of the truck, you have to get it on and off yourself, the shine can wear off real quick."

Wrong again. They delivered the long block right to my mechanics garage. They will even deliver to your home for a small extra fee.

My 390 long block from S&S cost me $2,000 including shipping and full warranty in 2004. I am sure their prices have gone up as have any local builder's. I have had only one problem with the engine itself, and that was a leaky core plug a few weeks after the engine was installed. I called S&S and they OK'd the repair while on the phone. I sent them the bill after the work was completed and I had a warranty refund check in my hands about a week later.

I suggest you check things out before you make any broad brush statements.

 

Bent wrist pin? Not likely. More likely a spun rod bearing. The two remans I've had experience with in the last ten years were a Napa short block roller 5.0 and a City Motor Supply (Dallas Tx.--they have a web site) Pretty good work, just needed the rod bolts & timing set replaced with better quality stuff. Great price too, that one was only $345 with a core, the prices are up to about $450 now though thru a local Napa store.

 

Mr. Haegele, I wish you and S&S the BEST. Hope with your help they become the #1 USA engine builder.

I may have been born at night but it wasn't last night.



John

 

What are "hardened heads"?

Thanks, Rick

 

Hardened valve seats for use with unleaded gas. Prevents valve recession over many miles of use. And Yes, S&S installed hardened valve seats in my engine.