Reliable MN Engine Builder?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 779
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis MN
Reliable MN Engine Builder?
Minnesota folks - I need to pull my BBC for the 3rd time. This latest build that was done by Hitech Motorsport in Elk River is great in every way, including 545HP @ 5500RPM, except that it's burning a quart of oil every 50 miles and I'm too embarrassed to stop at stop lights.
I've had it back to them a half dozen times and they can't fix it. I took it to Northern Cylinder Head and his conclusion that it was in the bottom end and had to come out.
I'm really tired of spending money with engine builders who are supposed to be good and can't seem to do the job right.
Where should I take it to button it up right for the last time?
I've had it back to them a half dozen times and they can't fix it. I took it to Northern Cylinder Head and his conclusion that it was in the bottom end and had to come out.
I'm really tired of spending money with engine builders who are supposed to be good and can't seem to do the job right.
Where should I take it to button it up right for the last time?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Hitech Motorsports has a dubious reputation. Seems like its hit and miss, but mostly with the tuning thing. Probably depends on who they might have in the rotation. I don't think I would use them.
My first move would be to contact Boos Performance and see who he would recommend.
A friend on mine is having a 69 Camaro built up with a BBC and he found a builder that came out of semi-retirement to do the job. Not sure how he found him though...
My first move would be to contact Boos Performance and see who he would recommend.
A friend on mine is having a 69 Camaro built up with a BBC and he found a builder that came out of semi-retirement to do the job. Not sure how he found him though...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 779
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis MN
But they've never been able to fix the oil burning issue, and I'm done trying. I've never heard of Boos, so I'll follow up there. Thanks Brent.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 779
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis MN
At this point I'm less interested in going fast and more interested in not creating clouds of blue smoke. If I were doing a new engine I'd seriously consider it, but I think keeping it local will be much more cost effective for this ticker.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Mark Jones at vortecperformance.com will treat right and cloudless, just call him.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
If your pulling it why not go back and watch the disassemble . People can make mistakes and you should not be looking to rebuild a new rebuilt.
A quart every 50 miles is severe the mistake will be glaring obvious.
A quart every 50 miles is severe the mistake will be glaring obvious.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
I think that's exactly right. The first time they build the engine, it was destroying valve springs. 3-4 times it went back with a busted valve spring. Finally they admitted that they had built it to run too close to the advertised tolerances, and the springs weren't having it.
But they've never been able to fix the oil burning issue, and I'm done trying. I've never heard of Boos, so I'll follow up there. Thanks Brent.
But they've never been able to fix the oil burning issue, and I'm done trying. I've never heard of Boos, so I'll follow up there. Thanks Brent.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 779
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis MN
Did they check the valve guide wear after the broken springs situation. If they are severely worn they could suck a lot of oil.
