What a mess.
I restored a 70 Fastback. The car is show quality -- but not concourse. I used a Bay Area California machinist and I'm here to tell you that in the Bay Area machinists have been going out of business on a regular basis. The state of the profession is dire. Kids would rather learn how to play with software than learn the trade, but that's another story.
My motor is a 351C-4V; matching numbers to my M code FB. I used a Comp Cam 268H; brilled and studded the heads, installed roller rockers, and pretty much went high stage 1 throughout the motor. The car has a Tremec TKO 5 speed and Auborn 3.70 positraction rear. I should be happy.
The engine shakes, and it isn't a vacuum leak. At 3000 RPM there is another reseasonance vibration. I asked my machinist about how he balanced the motor. He states he subbed the balance to another machinist. THAT machinist has no record of having balanced the motor.
I want nothing to do with either of those slimeballs. But what to do? I called all over the area and there are only two machinists that seem competent and they have 3 month backlogs because of race season -- and they seem really expensive. So I'm checking crate motors.
Seems like the way to go. Bought from a reputable supplier, you get your motor without a disassembled car for some untold number of months waiting for a motor. You're under warranty, and the quality is likely to be more consistent. But where to buy and what motor?
My investigation:
e-Bay -- questionable. I found one supplier in Arizona, but after doing homework on his reputation I see the Better Business Bureau and Yelp have postings that indicate this guy has a customer service problem.
Summit/Jegs -- would be my first choice except there seems to be very thin information on their motors, and they appear to be north of $5000.
Otherwise, there are shops that advertise motors but information on them is hard to come by.
QUESTION #1: Who do you recommend?
QUESTION #2: The Cleveland motor is an installation nightmare in the 1970. From exhaust fitment to spark plug access, it is far less fun than my 302. If you wanted a quick car on pump gas what block would you pursue?
I seek the advice of this forum. These questions occupy my thought and I need your perspective!
I restored a 70 Fastback. The car is show quality -- but not concourse. I used a Bay Area California machinist and I'm here to tell you that in the Bay Area machinists have been going out of business on a regular basis. The state of the profession is dire. Kids would rather learn how to play with software than learn the trade, but that's another story.
My motor is a 351C-4V; matching numbers to my M code FB. I used a Comp Cam 268H; brilled and studded the heads, installed roller rockers, and pretty much went high stage 1 throughout the motor. The car has a Tremec TKO 5 speed and Auborn 3.70 positraction rear. I should be happy.
The engine shakes, and it isn't a vacuum leak. At 3000 RPM there is another reseasonance vibration. I asked my machinist about how he balanced the motor. He states he subbed the balance to another machinist. THAT machinist has no record of having balanced the motor.
I want nothing to do with either of those slimeballs. But what to do? I called all over the area and there are only two machinists that seem competent and they have 3 month backlogs because of race season -- and they seem really expensive. So I'm checking crate motors.
Seems like the way to go. Bought from a reputable supplier, you get your motor without a disassembled car for some untold number of months waiting for a motor. You're under warranty, and the quality is likely to be more consistent. But where to buy and what motor?
My investigation:
e-Bay -- questionable. I found one supplier in Arizona, but after doing homework on his reputation I see the Better Business Bureau and Yelp have postings that indicate this guy has a customer service problem.
Summit/Jegs -- would be my first choice except there seems to be very thin information on their motors, and they appear to be north of $5000.
Otherwise, there are shops that advertise motors but information on them is hard to come by.
QUESTION #1: Who do you recommend?
QUESTION #2: The Cleveland motor is an installation nightmare in the 1970. From exhaust fitment to spark plug access, it is far less fun than my 302. If you wanted a quick car on pump gas what block would you pursue?
I seek the advice of this forum. These questions occupy my thought and I need your perspective!