Anyone have experience with Engines Limited in Wisconsin?

 

I've used him several times. Positive experiences. Make sure you and he communicate very clearly as to what you want done. Like Everything, have it in writing before you/he start.

 

Thanks! So, he will specify in writing on your bill what is to be done? Sounds like he'll work with you.

 

No, I do not recommend. See my post:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...xperience.html
Very disorganized person. Will tell you something and do another. To your question--I asked for a detailed invoice on what we were agreeing to, what the block was, what work would be done (like any professional business would do), was promised same, received nothing. I had to collect it all via lots and lots of emails. I needed a block so it was at my own risk. I didn't get a receipt after, either.

 

Other than being disorganized, how was his machine work, and quality overall? How was the block shipped? Was it to your liking?

 

Yes, there are other things. In case you didn't open my post here is the list of some things below. To answer your question, yes the block was fine in terms of passing magnaflux, being standard bore, and all the threaded holes were fine (I paid my engine builder for this check since it was not provided). Shipping was via YRC in an old DART block cardboard box strapped to a pallet; I like a wood crate but whatever. The biggest problem was that the deck was sanded not machined. Nor was it flat, parallel, and square. He said it was machined and claimed his Journeyman machinist did all that work. My engine builder could not believe a block was sold in this condition as ready for build. It was also unsatisfactory that I had to eat roughly $1000 of value in the VIN stamping that he put on a sanded surface, non square/parallel deck. I had to have my engine builder re-deck it (on my $) and I lost the stamping I paid for. I am going with blank stamp pad now. My block will make a good motor but the process to get the block was not pleasant. I strongly recommend you call at least 2 or 3 other folks to get a feel for what's out there. Start with Tom at Classic Engine just up the road in Oshkosh. He is excellent. 920-235-8365. Regards and good luck.

1) Early in the process I asked for a formal quote to document what he was selling and what I was buying and was told yea yea I'll get that to you--he never did, so I had to summarize everything the block was claimed to be in an email and get him to respond in the affirmative that my summary was correct so that I had some record of the representation of the block.
2) The deck was sanded, not machined. My engine builder confirmed.
3) I asked for photos of all 8 bores and got 6.
4) The deck was stated to be 9.785"--it was, in one corner. The other corners were out by varying amounts and/or in the other direction so it would have been out of square about 0.024" which would have led to varied compressions in the cylinders. Because of this, my engine builder must re-deck the block to correct the situation, which means I will pay for that and lose the stamp I paid for so I am out the stamping and re-decking money (I am going to leave the pad blank now). It seems strange that all applicable photos and measurements didn't exist since every person who calls for a part like this will ask--I had to ask for everything piecemeal and often multiple times. To be fair, it is possible the block was new inventory and he had not measured it yet.
5) The block was $4888 total (including shipping and CC fee) and my credit card was billed $5000. When I called to remind him of the agreed upon and documented price of $4888, he said, "oh, is that how much it was?" So I was due a $112 credit but somehow it became another $100 charge. He wanted to issue a credit via PayPal; I declined. (Finally a $212 credit showed up and we are square)
6) The shipping date changed 3 times.
7) There was no receipt with the shipment.

 

Thanks for the details. He claims he has a broaching machine to simulate what the factory did. Did he try to sell you on this?
The big problem for me is finding a decent dated block. I can get the machine work done, He just offered all of that as a package.
We had a tornado here, so all of that got delayed. I was ready to pull the trigger. Maybe it was for the better.
Do you know anyone who has dated blocks?

 

QMP racing in chatsworth ca has a CNC program where they can deck the block and save #s. Sure others do but it will take some legwork.
Got a "sand job" once on a deck and a set of heads, unreal the bs that comes out of some shops.

 

Regarding the broaching machine--yes--sorry I thought my previous messages were clear but yes, he on two separate occasions quoted the block + broaching/stamping service. That is why I said I am out the money I paid for the stamping because he put it on a shitty deck that was not properly measured and disclosed to his customer (me).
Regarding finding the right date code--that was my problem too. I have an early 66 big block so I needed a 65 date code on the block. (The stamp pad build date and s/n doesn't matter because that will be machined off during the block prep). There were fewer cars built in 65 than 66, so it took me 6 months to find the one I got. Your best bet is to find an Impala block that can be decked and re-stamped with the Corvette VIN; it doesn't matter since it is the same cast #.
Regarding who to contact--yes, again please see my previous message about Tom at Classic Engines in WI. He may or may not, as is the story with everyone. You can also try Tracy Corvettes but he had an attitude and wanted $7500 for his block + stamping + shipping. As soon as I asked what VIN was on the motor, he said "why do you care, it isn't your original block anyway". I don't deal with people like that. I was professional and cordial. Sure he gets a lot of tire kickers but that is his choice to be in business and that's part of the business. I expect you will eventually find one; plan on paying $5500-$8000 if it's a big block; you didn't say what you need. You can also look at ebay; there are several to look at. If you go with Engines Limited, go there personally and measure the block yourself and ask where every operation will be done and by whom, and demand it in writing. He has lots of blocks.

 

Moving to Transaction Feedback.

 

OP from this just one guy on him if it was me I wouldnt do nothing with this shop. I had some of the same problems with a guy in here that put a head gasket on wrong. Then didnt want to fix it correct but said he did well it was just one big miss & has cost me to buy a new block & oil pump & pistons. He just did one big mess on it & now I will be taking him to court due to me paying him almost 10,k now having to put out over that much more to get a new block & get all this the new motor put back together. On the 1st guy I didnt even get 600 miles on the all forged motor.

One of the bad things is I have known the 1st guy for about 15 years & got him in the past to put 2 diff builds together for me in the past. But when it come to money & standing behind the work you do even when he saw he put the head gasket on wrong.. Robert