Frequently Asked Questions
When can I bring my engine?
We take engines in for rebuild any time Monday-Friday from 8:00-4:00.
Do I need to call before I come?
While you are welcome to just stop in, we do encourage you to call before driving to us. We are a small family owned business and there may be times when we all need to be away from the shop for a day.
What is your turn around time?
Our turn around time varies, depending how many engines we currently have in for rebuild.
For Model A/B engines, it can fluctuate between 2- 6 months. If you are willing to do an exchange, instead of getting your same engine back, this will lower the turn around time.
What deposit it required when dropping off my engine?
We take a deposit of $1,500.00 for a short block rebuild and $2,000.00 for a long block rebuild.
For Burtz engine builds, we require a deposit equal to the cost of the Burtz kit. When ordering a specialty
or custom build engine, this deposit may vary. We will discuss this during the estimate process.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit/debit cards and cash. Check can be used for your deposit when dropping off your engine, but we ask you not to use check for final payment.
Do I get my same engine block back?
Yes, unless you are choosing to do an exchange. When you bring your cores, all parts will be tagged with your name and will be used in your rebuild.
Do you have exchange engines available?
We do try to have some engines ready to go, or ready to go within a short amount of time. You can call or email to see what is currently available.
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Can I bring my core and pick up my rebuilt engine on the same day?
Yes, if you are doing an exchange, you can bring and pick up on the same day. However, there will be a core charge added, which will be refunded to you after we disassemble and inspect your cores. If your cores need any additional repairs, sleeves, or are not useable for a rebuild, this charge will be subtracted from your refund.
What cores do I need to bring for a short block rebuild?
You should bring your block, crank, cam, connecting rods and main bearing caps and bolts
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What cores do I need to bring for a long block rebuild?
You should bring your block, crank, cam, connecting rods, main bearing caps and bolts, timing cover, side timing cover, valve cover, oil pump, oil pump drive gear assembly, cylinder head, oil pan, oil return pipe, water inlet, water outlet and flywheel housing.
Can I buy an engine if I do not have a core?
Yes, you can buy an engine outright. There is a core charge of $800.00 for a short block or $1,200.00 for a long block added to the engine rebuild price.
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What happens after I drop off my engine?
After receiving an engine, we disassemble, clean and inspect everything. Then we send you an estimate for approval. This estimate will list any cores that need to be repaired or replaced. We ask you to review and approve the estimate before we proceed with your rebuild. This is also a great time to decide if you want to make any changes to your rebuild order.
What happens if some of my cores are not reuseable?
We have extra cores that we can use for your project.
Can I bring my car and have you remove and install my engine?
Yes, we can take your car in and remove and install your engine for you. The cost for this is $1,500.00 for a Model A or B. You will want to call and schedule this ahead of time, as we do have a limited number of cars we can have in the garage at one time.
Do you do service on Model As, Bs or Ts?
At this point, we are only able to take vehicles in for rebuilds or running gear restorations. Due to limited space and time, we are not able to do regular service work, such as oil changes, lube jobs, etc. Often times this can be done at your local garage, or there are Model A mechanics that do this specifically.
Can you run my engine before I pick it up?
Yes, we can run your Model A engine on our test stand. We can also run it on our dyno. You can call or email for details on this.
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What oil do you recommend?
We use and recommend Valvoline 20W-50 Racing Oil with High Zinc.
What should the timing be set at on my Model A engine?
You will want to set the timing at 26 degrees total advance with a timing light.
What should my cylinder head be torqued at?
For a stock cylinder head, you want to torque it to 50 ft lbs.
For a high compression head, you want to torque it to 65 ft lbs.
Should I torque my cylinder head when the engine is hot or cold?
We recommend torquing the cylinder head when the engine is cold.
Do you ship engines?
Yes, we ship a lot of engines all over the country and the world! You can call or email to get an estimate on what shipping costs would be for you.
Do I need to pay PA Sales tax?
Anyone that picks their engine up at our shop or lives in PA must pay PA Sales tax.
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What is the best way to transport my long block engine home?
We sell steel engine stands that will hold your engine safely for its trip home. You can also build your own stand out of wood. You want the engine to be supported in a way that it sits upright to protect it and keep the paint job looking nice.
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What are the dimensions of an engine sitting on one of your metal engine stands?
34” long x 22 “ wide x 32” high