QuestionThanks for the answer, I live in Virgina during the summer so would like the shops name here. Also would like information on a conversion for insert bearings for this engine as I have a very good moderen shop that could fix the engine with this conversion.JC
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Followup To
Question -
I have had little sucess with the present restoration shop regarding the rebuild of this 1935 standard eight engine. It locked up twice before 800 miles, the first time after only 2oo+ miles that freed itself overnight . We parked it to go to a resturant the last time and it was locked after sitting for a few hours. The restoration shop is going to try to find and rectify the problem but I have little confidence in the work. I have a good low milage engine in a parts car and have been thinking of finding a shop that could redo this engine. Do you have any shop you could recomend? I hope they can fix the restored engine but need a back up just in case. Do you have a general idea of cost for a complete engine overhaul including cosmetics?JC I have a limited budget for this car as I have spent more than it's worth to date.
Answer -
I know of more shops to avoid than good ones, unfortunately that is a pretty common story in the old car restoration business.
What part of the country are you in?
I can recommend a good place in Southern CA and one in Virginia - I don't know of any other trustworthy shops, but that doesn't mean there aren't any. If you join PAC and ask fellow club members after you get to know who is honest and trustworthy, you should get an honest recommendation. Be careful though, especially when you don't know the people very well - many of the clubs have people that have a financial interest in one or another shop, and that will lead to problems like you've already had.
You can expect a price between $3000 and $4000 for a good rebuild on one of those engines, if all the main parts are rebuildable. Most folks are converting the bearings to modern insert type - that is a good idea, but it will add about $1500 to the cost.
This is not a good hobby for those on a limited budget, I'm sorry to say!
You cannot restore a car and have any hope of getting your money back out of it when you sell it, unless it is a mid 70's muscle car with a hemi and a big wing on the back! The only way to look at this hobby is as an enjoyable way to throw your money away - it's healthier than wine, women and song.
Dick
AnswerThe shop I have heard good things about in Virginia is White Post Restorations, in White Post VA. The proprietor is Greg Cone. He will be familiar with converting the bearings to insert type. As I recall, the preferred one to use is from a late 60s Dodge Dart - I assume that is from the 273 or 318 V8, but I am not certain of that.
Greg will probably not know my name, but I know of his work, and think highly of the shop.
We never really got into the question of why your engine is locking up when it gets hot - the easy answer is that something isn't fitted right, probably the pistons, or else the valve guides are too tight. The worst possibility is that the main bearing supports were not align bored when the engine was rebuilt - this will require a complete redo of the bottom end of the engine.
Good luck with this, and if you think of it, keep me posted on how the work goes. Thank you.
Dick Benjamin
