I posted a while back on an engine I'd purchased and was waiting to receive from Cresco Motorsports in N.Carolina. It was supposed to be a 4 bolt 427 with a forged steel crank and forged rods. The price seemed right with the total being about $2700 shipping and all. I supplied a set of Comp Cams roller tipped rockers and some hardened 3/8 push rods from Summit.

Well got it today and instantly noticed by the block not having the big threaded holes in the area above the oil filter it wasn't a 4 bolt block. I dropped the pan and seen it had a cast crank also. The rods appeared to be the type with the bolts threaded into the rod itself. I couldn't really get a good look at them I only had it swinging from an engine hoist and didn't like the idea of my head being in between it and the floor! It had the Moroso fabricated aluminum valve covers on it so at least there's one plus. It's complete from aluminum intake down to the oil pan, water pump, and balancer.

Mad, I contacted the owner and demanded he contact me ASAP to explain this. He said he was very sorry for the mix up. He admitted that yes it was his fault and he would resolve the matter. He said I could return the engine and exchange for the correct engine OR I could run this one and he'd refund me $1000 for the difference in the two and for the trouble. I'd have a total of $1625 for a rebuilt 2 bolt, cast crank, 427 with a year warranty to my door delivered.
It was a two month wait for the engine with the last week having unpleasant words over the time frame of work being completed. Should I keep this one and pocket the extra cash, or should I send it back make him eat the freight charge and get what I initially ordered? If I send it back I'll probably have two wait no telling how long to get the other one. If I keep this one he said he could mail the money out tomorrow. I told him I'd sleep on it and talk to him first thing in the morning on which route I'd go. What do you guys think?? Please try to reply this evening as I'll decide and talk to him in the morning. Contrary to what you might believe your opinions do mean something to me http://www.camaros.net/forum/wink.gif
I always assemble my own engines and this is what I get when I try to get off the hook easier and think I'm getting a good deal.

Dan

A warranted stock rebuilt BBC for $2700 would be a steal even if you paid shipping on it!! For $1625 out the door inc tax and shipping, that's a 250hp SBC crate price!! Even with a cast crank and 2 bolts mains you are so far ahead of the game if the rest of the mill is as desired. The only reason I'd loose sleep is wanting morning to come so I could tell him who to make out the check to!!

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...Dennis
"The '69 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fine69_03.jpg), the '96 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/fine69_02.jpg) & the club (http://camaroslimited.com/)"

what do you plan on doing with it? Even stock internals can be plenty stout.

Take the grand and run.........

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John D. Smith
69 SS/396 CLONE!
The Texas Tornado lives!

North Texas Camaro Club (http://www.northtxcamaros.com)

Hobbystage Free Picture Posting!!! http://hobbystage.net/camaro/69ss396/

Makes me wonder if he cut corners in other places. How long will the motor really last and will it give you the power you expect out of a nice 427? I find it hard to believe a shop could make a mistake like that. It's not like there shipping 50 engines a day! He was trying to get away with something.

I'd return it and get all my money back. Start over with a local reputable shop.
Rick

Yea your right and after I think about it it's really not a bad price. I've got a partial assembled 427 with some machine work issues (contributing factor of me purchasing an engine from someone else) That is a two bolt block. I was juggling the notion of trying out another machine shop (after spending about 650 at one and getting the shaft!! balanced my forged crank and balancer by welding on it and some of the weld came off when assembling) in my area or outright buying another engine. I saw the 4 bolt forged bottom end engine from Cresco and decided since the price was right id buy from them. I'm making this a street runner with a few balls to the wall passes and wanted the extra beef as insurance to ease my mind.

The heads on this engine are 3917215 supposedly cut for 2.19/1.88 valves and some mild port work on them. These aren't the peanut ports are they? (my book doesn't list them) If anyone can find them what is the combustion cc's and with the work are they worth a flip?

Thanks for the suggestions

Dan

supposedly they have a couple different engine builders. The guy I had talked to was the owner not the assembler. Earlier in the week (last week) he talked about having a wreck totaling his truck and being out from the shop a couple of days. It could have been a lack of communication and an honest mistake. I know what you mean about hiding something though, thats the first thing that came to my mind. He would be stupid to try and do that. He knew that I'm an ASE certified (I know your grandmother could get certified) in engine assembly,and engine performance and head technician at a reputable repair shop. I sent him my credentials to show him I'm competent in case a problem arised upon initial break in (famous lobe wiping big blocks!!). He should have known I'd check and by golly I did!!

It's hard to find a reputable machine shop in my area. The only good one for performance work is nearly impossible to get anything done if your not a racer buddy and need it to go to the track. I'm thinking here I go again taking another one deep. I guess I'll keep it and drive it like a rental car till the warranty's up If it holds up, it's a damn good engine!! If not then that grand is a good start on a 496 I've been thinking about.

Dan

I'd say, if you are not going to rev it real high you are probably OK with what you have.

If you plan on reving it with a high rpm cam, the forged crank and four bolt mains would be nice.
The fiew month wait or the money difference will hardly be remembered years from now, but worring about that cast crank can bother some guys. I don't think it's a problem, but some just won't have a cast crank in their engines.
David

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67 RS 327 original owner. 69 Camaro Vintage Racer, 65 Lola T-70 Chev SB Can-Am Vintage Racer

Make sure it is a 427 a 396 looks the same.

I guess I'll keep it and take the money. I'd sure like to know more about those head castings (3917215) though. It's a shame but it's true.. If you want something right and to your liking, you've got to do it yourself. This will be the last pre assembled engine I'll buy unless it's one that comes directly from GM.

I believe it's a 427. The block is a later 70's block so I believe it's a 454 block. If it's a 454 we'll have real problems when it comes to flywheel and balancer!! I didn't get the #'s off the crank just seen it was cast and made a B-line for the telephone!

[This message has been edited by Bedanobub (edited 04-03-2002).]

Bedanobub, the head was used on everything from 67-68 396/325 hp novas through 427/400 hp Corvettes. It has 2.06/1.72 valves from the factory. 101 CC chambers. With these heads and your intended application, I would enjoy the cash a lot and enjoy the rockin big block even more. I wish I could get a deal or two like that.

-Mark.

i found that the heads (3917215) are oval port, closed chamber, 100.9cc off of a 67-69, 396/427, with 2.065/1.72 valves from the factory.

bruce

I would keep it. You can do alot with $1000

Just to make you feel better we have a local running a cast crank 454 cut .060 on the mains. He races brackets with it in a camaro turing 10s.

He called me today. He was willing to do anything that made me happy within reason. At least he is willing to stand behind his work. I always try to give the benefit of the doubt but something tells me he got the Ollie North syndrome when it came to what I had and what was supposed to be sent. I may be totally wrong. David is a very likeable person and is willing to make things right with me. We got off track when I sent out the money with the understanding of a three week wait. Three weeks came and went. I got several excuses from blame on the machine shop to waiting on parts. They also moved into a bigger shop which delayed about a week. After about 7 weeks I lost patience and began bitching (yes I know what happens when you do that ...Rush Job!!) After 8 weeks since the day he received my money I have an engine. I know things can go wrong and delay matters but this is uncalled for. He is willing to make things right and I guess thats all that matters in my case. Maybe they got on track and can turn out engines in a more timely fasion so for future quality I cannot say. All and All honestly I won't buy from them again after this mess.

Dan

$2700 for a complete engine? carb to pan? seems almost impossible to me, even with a "jobber" discount on the prices. Sure he's not pulling a fast one on you? i'd check every aspect of that engine, then reassemble and give it a shot.
If it goes south in a year, and you have to spend your money on another one, then how much did you really save?

Even just the parts you have in the engine are a good deal with the 1000$ back. Worst case is the motor craps out right after the warranty and you need to rebuild. You have some good parts and others that would sell quickly, you would not come out behind. Likely the motor will run well on the street and you will he happy for well beyond a year.

I have been thinking. Look up inside the block and check out the pistons to see if they are foorged or cast. You may also think about using your refund to purchase a new set of head gaskets. Why? To yank the heads and see what valve you realy have. After a block and crank mix up I would be a little gun shy.