Hello All, my '74 base engine requires a rebuild and the repair shop is recommending sending it to Jasper Engines. The whole job (Jasper + shop)would run about $4000 which includes rebuilding the Q-Jet. The price doesn't seem out of line but I know nothing about Jasper Engines. I want to keep the car #'s matching. Your thoughts and comments would be appreciated. Thanks, Bill
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Re: Rebuild on #'s matching engine
Bill,
Is Jasper Engines local to you so you can walk in the door and talk with them and look at what they do?
Verle -
Re: Rebuild on #'s matching engine
No, I'm in New England and Jasper is a National firm. My understanding is the engines are shipped to one of their rebuild facilities. BillComment
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As Verle asks, Where are you? Why is
"Jasper" the sudden "holy-of-holy"?Comment
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Re: Rebuild on #'s matching engine
Bill,
If I were you, I would go with Dutcher Automotive Engineering in Greenfield, Mass. Phone 413-773-3973. Good people, great work. Highly recommended.Comment
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Re: Hold on
First see if you can find somebody local. Check out the newenglandchapterncrs.homestead.com They did a tour of an engine rebuilder in southern NH who will respect the numbers. If these are compromised you are in real trouble.Comment
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Re: Rebuild on #'s matching engine
I believe Jasper is better known for their production of engines for sale in various chain parts stores as $600 short blocks and $800 long blocks. They are a sponsor of NASCAR, but I don't see any NASCAR cars using a Jasper engine.
I think you would be ahead to get a local shop of good reputation where you can go in and talk to the guy face to face to determine what you want and need and to be able to stop in to check on it if needed.
You may have to farm out a restoration of the Q-Jet, as the local shop will probably rebuild and not restore, i.e., plating it, but I think you will have a better package in the end.Comment
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Okay, let's gradually move into the
correct modem.
You're talking about an original motor 74 and I see no indications in your post that indicate you want to end up as a finalist in "PRO STOCK".
Recognize first that this motor in terms of "demands on critical parts" was at the bottom end of the food chain - not a critique, just a statement of fact - no ultra high compression, no wild camshafts, etc.
I'm still not sure WHERE you are....send me an e-mail and let's see if I can refer you to either a builder or a guy in your area who knows where to go. Put another way, I went a little crazy on a '64 El Camino (A/C, PS, PB, 300 HP 327) and redid the motor - including the hardened valve seats (which, frankly, I am am NOT convinced this car needed for what I'm doing with it and to it) and my price was less than $2400. I admit that I know these people and they know me - but it seems to be a "Watch Your Ass"
crypt show - especially when the motor goes off to who knows where and who knows who.........Comment
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Re: Rebuild on #'s matching engine
Bill, I am familiar with Jasper Engines. Their rebuild facility is near me in southern Indiana. They have a state of the art facility and their remanufactured engines are second to none. If you need an exchange engine or transmission that's the way to go. But for a numbers matching engine that you want back with all of the original pieces & parts I'd go with a reputable local shop!Comment
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Re: Rebuild on #'s matching engine
You need to Run not walk away from that shop that wants to send out your original block to some mass engine rebuild. I can almost guarantee that you would not get the same engine back, but one of the mass produced engines. What kind of guarantee would you get that they want deck the block and you would get the same motor that you sent them? I am sure they get tons in each day, and yours might get lost. You need to think about that. If you or not showing the car then you could just get a crate rebuild and keep your old one for later, of course they might want a core. That is way a new crate engine is so appealing to a lot of people with the later sharks.
KellyComment
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Re: Rebuild on #'s matching engine
You need to Run not walk away from that shop that wants to send out your original block to some mass engine rebuild. I can almost guarantee that you would not get the same engine back, but one of the mass produced engines. What kind of guarantee would you get that they want deck the block and you would get the same motor that you sent them? I am sure they get tons in each day, and yours might get lost. You need to think about that. If you or not showing the car then you could just get a crate rebuild and keep your old one for later, of course they might want a core. That is why a new crate engine is so appealing to a lot of people with the later sharks.
KellyComment
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Re: Rebuild on #'s matching engine
Gerry-----
I agree 100%. Custom engine rebuilding (which is what's needed here) is usually not compatible with a mass production operation like Jasper unless they have an in-house, custom engine building operation. I doubt that they do, but it's possible. Even then, a local shop with a good reputation is a better way to go.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: Rebuild on #'s matching engine
They do custom & high performance rebuilding but they normally only reuse the major components & always deck the blocks. Better off with a local shop to make sure you get exactly what you want.Comment
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Re: Rebuild on #'s matching engine
Hi Bill:
It seems that all of the "production" rebuilders want to deck the block as a routine measure, and that will compromise your pad stamping. I think your best bet is to find a local machine shop where you can go in and talk to the person who will actually do the work, and explain what you want done (and not done).
I don't know where you are in New England, but last year our New England Chapter toured R&L Engines in Dover, New Hampshire (603-742-8812). This is a very well equipped shop with about five employees, so you can get personal attention. The owner, Leo Croisetiere, does a lot of Corvette work and understands NCRS considerations.
There are probably several other shops near you that would be candidates. I recommend that you develop a pretty good idea of what you want done before you commit your engine to any rebuilder. There are a lot of choices to be made that can greatly affect the cost of the rebuild, and it is probably better for you to make those choices rather than the rebuilder.
If you are not familiar with the details of engine rebuilding, there are people on this tech board and in the New England Chapter who could probably help you get oriented. The starting point for the discussion is what your goals are for the engine and what sort of driving you expect to do.Comment
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Re: Rebuild on #'s matching engine
I agree RUN DON'T WALK away from Jasper.They have a good warranty program, if thier engine fails they will give you another one.That would not help you now would it.I would also RON NOT WALK away from the local shop that recomended them....Find a good local garage that deals with a good local machine shop,assuming you have no way to pull the engine, if you do pull it and take it to the local machine shop after talking with them.That is what I would do if the car was mine.. TomComment
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