Question about a total engine rebuild
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
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Question about a total engine rebuild
Dad is wanting to hav his engine rebuilt by someone who will use nothing but STOCK GM parts, he cant think of anywhere here in town (Joplin MO) and wants to know if there is anyplace in say: Kansas City, St. Lewis, Tulsa, somewhere with in 150-ish miles of here
he said he wanted new rings, grounded pistons, "just everything tightened up"
you guys hav any ideas?
Miles
he said he wanted new rings, grounded pistons, "just everything tightened up"
you guys hav any ideas?
Miles
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
He does know that GM no longer makes any of those components, doesn't he. GM will sell them, but they buy from other machining operations around the world. Those parts just get put into a GM labeled box and sold for a higher price. If that's what he really wants, GM Parts will sell them to him. There is nothing wrong with that approach, but GM parts are no longer made by GM (and haven't been for a looonnng time).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Even GM parts will probably be some off beat stuff in GM boxes. I know a guy in KC that does some of the best machine work I've ever seen, and uses all brand name parts. TRW, Clevite etc.,
I'd check with your local chevy dealer- see if they still have pistons/rings/bearings in the catalog for that year. I wouldn't bet against them being discontinued.
And something else to chew on- most GM parts were made by some of the companies we know as "aftermarket".
I'd check with your local chevy dealer- see if they still have pistons/rings/bearings in the catalog for that year. I wouldn't bet against them being discontinued.
And something else to chew on- most GM parts were made by some of the companies we know as "aftermarket".
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Dad is wanting to hav his engine rebuilt by someone who will use nothing but STOCK GM parts, he cant think of anywhere here in town (Joplin MO) and wants to know if there is anyplace in say: Kansas City, St. Lewis, Tulsa, somewhere with in 150-ish miles of here
he said he wanted new rings, grounded pistons, "just everything tightened up"
you guys hav any ideas?
Miles
he said he wanted new rings, grounded pistons, "just everything tightened up"
you guys hav any ideas?
Miles
Is the engine out or is he looking for a shop to remove it, rebuild it, and re-install it?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,449
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I kinda forgot some of the vital info, its a 72 L-48, he just wants to keep it as STOCK as possible
Thanks for the input guys!
Miles
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Just find a good auto repair shop and let them know what he wants. They should be able to provide it. Get two or three bids, if there are multiple shops in your area. Ones that specialize in Corvettes will know all the details of working on his car...but they might be more expensive than others.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 24
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From: Springfield MO
Have him contact Clifford at Corvette Specialists in Springfield at 417-882-9869; or he might try Corvette's Unlimited in Ozark at 417-581-8786. Neither of these shops will be able to do the work for him, but both are very reputable and will be able to guide him in the right direction if he is concerned about originality.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
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From: Columbia Missouri
There is a shop here in Columbia, University Motors, owned by a local C3 owner. He's a great guy and most of his crew are certified master mechanics. If you're interested I can get you the contact info. If nothing else, we can use his shop to shelter the car and I can rebuild the engine saving you some labor costs.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 0
There is a shop here in Columbia, University Motors, owned by a local C3 owner. He's a great guy and most of his crew are certified master mechanics. If you're interested I can get you the contact info. If nothing else, we can use his shop to shelter the car and I can rebuild the engine saving you some labor costs.
Miles
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Hickory NC
Miles,
Make sure your dad and you talk to a professional engine builder with a good reputation. Don't let some unexperienced "mechanic" ruin your dad's valuable '72 engine.
It is only original once. The last thing you want is some wannabe mechanic to ruin it for you.
Make sure your dad and you talk to a professional engine builder with a good reputation. Don't let some unexperienced "mechanic" ruin your dad's valuable '72 engine.
It is only original once. The last thing you want is some wannabe mechanic to ruin it for you.