Engine Search Story

Platonic Solid

Founding Member
May 29, 2002
1,960
5
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CT-USA
In my search to find a reliable engine re-manufacturer, I came across powerpro2000.com . The prices and warranty seemed very good, which I confirmed via email. Before ordering a rebuilt $2,200 Long Block (+ $660 core deposit), I figured I’d best do a little research on this business.

I quickly realized that there was no company address on the powerpro2000 website. Only an email address and toll free number. A little more digging and I find there are no branch locations listed, no customer references, and the URL (which is registered to the same guy I’m talking to via email, Craig Lambert) expires next month. When I approach Craig with my concerns, he offers no answers to any of my questions, stating only: “You could contact the BBB or the 8,000 customers we have sold to in the last 5 years.” Giving no method of verifying his 8,000 customer claim.

I also stated that his 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty won’t be worth the paper it’s written on if he goes out of business. He replied: “The warranty is a factory warranty, not PowerPro.” I replied: “OK, so it’s a factory warranty – What factory?” He never answered that question.

I can only conclude that, at best, PowerPro is a one middle-man operation (probably some guy sitting at his home PC in his underwear) whose salesmanship is seriously lacking.

Looks like I’ll get my long block from jasperengines.com instead. They're friendly, helpful and reputable. It’s more expensive at $3,300, but somehow I feel like I’m saving the $2,860 (engine+core) I almost spent with PowerPro.
 
Good Catch. People who lack customer service abilities in any industry get on my nerves. I was going to get an engine from Keith Craft. (mostly because they are about an hour and a half drive from here.)
 
I don't knoiw what you're looking for in a rebuild, but City Motor Supply in Dallas Tx sells em for a LOT less. I bought one of their short block roller 5.0's a few years ago for $340 exchanged. Swapped out the rod bolts and factory roller cam and ran it like that for well over a year before I rev'd it to 7500 and cracked a cylinder wall. Pistons in it were Silvolite hypers (.040 over). The rest of the bottom end held up fine, just the block let go in the #4 wall. (1/2" long crack)
 
I bought an engine from these guys on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD...emQQcategoryZ33615QQihZ004QQitemZ140034842439 and couldn't be happier. They don't appear to be selling the engine combo I bought, which was a 328hp/302 for $2695 delivered to the door. The quality is outstanding with lots and lots of new parts. Things that would ordinarily get reused like the timing chain cover and oil pan were brand new, and the motor has things like Comp Cams 268XE, Magnum roller tip rockers, new hardened pushrods, guideplates, new Edelbrock intake, 351W heads, Fel-Pro gaskets (with one piece pan gasket) and painted very nicely. It was also balanced and they did a great job, it revs very freely and runs very smoothly. I can't recommend them highly enough and they're very good at answering questions quickly and politely. I checked with a place called RPM Machine and while they were friendly, they didn't return calls easily, and after pricing the same parts I have, the total was $3300 and that didn't include shipping.
 
D.Hearne said:
I don't knoiw what you're looking for in a rebuild, but City Motor Supply in Dallas Tx sells em for a LOT less. ...
Thanks, I'm looking for an engine for my 1989 GMC Sierra 1 Ton 3500 7.4L V8 454. (yeah, I know this is a Mustang forum) Unfortunately their warranty doesn't cover 1 ton trucks. Though very impressive prices.

zookeeper said:
I bought an engine from these guys on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FORD-...mZ140034842439 and couldn't be happier. ...
Thanks. I've contacted them on your recommendation.
 
Jasper didn't get to be one of the biggest rebuilders because the suck, that's for sure. I'm sure you'd be happy with either one. Just wondering, though, $3495 seems a little high for D&J, what kind of combo is it for that kinda money?