Anyone heard of these people or done business with them? I am looking to buy a preped 383 bare block and stroker kit. They have some stuff on EBay, but they are slow in answering E-Mail, their phone dumps to an answering machine and they don't call back.

They are located near Chicago.

Any ideas where else I could get a preped 383 bare block?

 

I would look in the yellow pages for a performance machine shop near you, I still can't understand why so many people are will to give there money to some "machine shop" half way across the country when there is probably a good one right in there own neibourhood where they can go and discuss what they want in person with the machinist/engine builder.

I know in your case it's not across the country but it's still the internet stuff that bugs me.

 

First impressions mean a lot. Imagine the heartache you will have if you have a problem if they don't return your calls BEFORE the sale.

Buy local. I would be surprised if there was not a lot of engine shops in PA!

 

OK, can someone recommend an engine shop in W. PA about 20 mile radius from the airport?

Looking in my Yellow Book I don't see anything promising.

 

Sorry about my negative post but I have been reading about a few fellow members who have been having bad experiences with crate engines bought off ebay and it burns me up. What really makes me mad is that I knew what was going on long ago and didn't say anything about it. They are buying motors and don't even know what parts are in there and then a couple hundred miles down the road the motor blows out one the cheap Chinese parts onto the sidewalk and they wonder what happend. It is exactly the same thing that happened a few years ago when everyone was buying Corvettes on ebay and getting mostly pieces of crap delivered to them because they never even looked at the car in person. I don't see much of that happening any more and I am hoping that everyone will wise up to the crate engine scam. Don't get me wrong here not all crate engines are bad, I would buy a motor from GM and a few others tommorrow if I had to.

Now to recap, there is nothing wrong with buyng parts off ebay if you know exactly what parts you are buyng and you buy them because that particular part is cheaper than you can find anywhere else. I did that with my current motor but I built it myself. Now if you are collecting parts and want someone else to build it you might run into some resistance at your local machine shop because the shop makes a little ( not much ) off the parts.

 

Did not take it as a negative. I am going to build the engine myself, except for the machine shop work. I am just looking for a bare block with new cam bearings, freeze plugs, and clearanced for a stroker kit.

 

I wish I could help you...you may have to drive a bit further than 20 miles, but don't give up hope!

BTW: If anyone is curious, I know where there's a DARN GOOD (and honest) machine shop in San Antonio.

 

That usually happens AFTER you make payment.

 

I'm from the Harrisburg area so I can't help you with regards to western Pa. I bought a complete stroker kit from a local machine shop engine builder several months ago. Still haven't gotten around to putting it together. I looked for about a month on ebay and the internet. I then had an idea as to what I needed. Called around locally to the engine builders. Since money is tight, I wanted to get the best deal I could. The best deal including the net/ebay was one of the local guys. The only problem was that he was so busy doing engine fresh ups and new race motor for the local racers that I was on the bottom of the list. Have you looked under the heading of Machine Shop in the yellow pages? There has got to be race tracks in your area and where there are tracks, there are engine builders.

 

hey M&M I'm in Chambersburg. Who did you use and are you rebuilding from scratch or rebuilding your motor?

 

If all else fails, give these guys a call. They did a great job on my motor.

PTM Race Engines

 

I got the rotating assembly from Riders Automotive Machine Shop, 717-795-9633, Mechanicburg. I purchased the block from a friend/customer who changed his mind on building an engine. The block was also machined by Riders. I am not reusing anything from the original engine except for the brackets and pulleys. The only thing that will not be new is the block. I started buying parts almost 2 years ago. I still have a list of some items to get like spark plugs and fuel pump. Except for the upper radiator hose, plugs, wires, headers, and air cleaner, the car has had very little changed since it left the factory. With that said, this is going to more than an engine swap. I have a new Dewitt alum radiator going in as well.