Many think it should be free. "Hey man do a super job and give me a deal!" I have learned the hard way, if you want my work I will tell you how much and if its too much, go away! Really good professional work is expensive. Customers who know what the work entails, know its not easy or cheap. Those who do the work well have good customers, or the ability to do it themselves. Those who do it on the cheap often pay the price later.
Last edited by bmorgil; 02-28-2025 at 01:33 PM.
Gm, I have watched a lot of metal shapers videos, he does good work.
It's funny ya'll should bring this topic up. I was just talking about that with my machinist yesterday. He was saying after 40+ years building engines the horror stories are endless. Customers who don't know anything, telling him what to do, and then coming back because their way didn't work, and now they need him to fix their mistakes. My engine will probably end up getting a total makeover, which I really don't want to spend that much. But it should be the last time I have to do it, I buy once, cry once. And the engine will probably out live me.Originally Posted by bmorgil
'56, you will be by far money ahead if you spend what you need to now. It will hurt the pocket book, but you are at a stage in life where you'll have the greatest earnings to debt ratio that most of us would only dream of having at this point in our lives. When I was in high school, I had the wagon that was pretty temperamental, a few tractors, a '79 Gutless, and a '80 short bed Chevy pickup. I wasn't rich nor had any well off relatives, so it was left to my own accord and stubbornness to not fail. You'll figure out a way to reach your dreams! We have faith in you!
We'll set you up a trust fund - we'll trust you to fund the project somehow.
A very wise mentor once told me that you have three negotiating points; price, quality and delivery.
If you insist on two of the three, the other is no longer negotiable.
Talk to your engine builder - learn from the horror stories and don't star in your own horror story.
And, if you treat that F-head right, it will live to be passed along to those kids you don't have yet.
I'm in, I trust him!
40 Years says it all!
He loves his job, and he's good at it, goes without saying!
It's been quiet for a while - what's happening with the engine rebuilder?
Thanks for asking, I actually just got word today.
So the crank needs ground 0.010", and the bores need 0.030". The bores ended up having 0.012" of taper, yikes!! I got a price for everything: machining, honing, valve guides/seats, deck resurfacing, flywheel reusurfacing/ring gear, etc Basically everything to get me a brand new engine. For about $700, which is WAY better then I had expected. Sk now I'm looking at probably getting KWs complete engine overhaul kit. The way they have the kit priced, that will even get me a new oil pump as well as timing gears, and not be anymore money then if i didnt get those parts. (Lucky for me they just started a 10% off sale!!) Also now I'll have hardened valve seats and better valves, so I don't have to worry about ethanol as much!
That phone call with the machinist really got me excited and we've finally been having nice weather here, being in the 60s all week and the roads are clear of salt. On top of that I just got my drivers license today, so now I'm really fired up!
I've been getting a good bit of stuff cleaned up and I'll start painting things pretty soon. I'm kind of throwing around the idea of using detroit diesel green on the block? That might be unique, I don't care about originality so I want something different from everyone else. But if you have some suggestions for colors, I'd appreciate that.
Here's a video of getting the Hurricane torn apart, if you want to check it out. https://youtu.be/383GnuKWbNI?si=RUvE_4iXVaJsN-bM
You are in good shape now '56. I didn't think you were going to have the cash in doing it right, you thought you were headed for financial ruin! Your machinist is one heck of a good guy. He is treating you very right. That is a Very good price. Make him a good friend. Buy him doughnuts and beer. Make sure you pump him up on reviews and by word of mouth. You are very lucky you shut it down when you did. #4 was quickly going to destroy that cylinder to the point it might have needed a sleeve. The effect of detonation on that cylinder is extensive. That is what happens when too much oil enters the cylinder and causes detonation. It will definitely break things. A .030" overbore is a very common size to bore. .010" off the crank is also very normal. The motor is a perfect core for rebuilding. If you buy the engine kit, I would discard the head gasket if it is not a Fel-Pro or a Mahle. I would stick to as many Fel-Pro or Mahle gaskets as you can. There are a lot of issues with the others, you just don't know what your getting.
https://www.felpro.com/find-my-part/...ults.html?type[value]=2%2C8&type[label]=Car%20%26%20Truck&year[value]=1956&year[label]=1956&make[value]=42&make[label]=Jeep&model[value]=21478&model[label]=Willys
I love your video! You younger fellas are living in a world of information technology. I really like the way you use the internet. Keep it up '56, you will be the "old guy" who knows how to do it right someday! Teach as many as you can who are smart enough to listen '56. You and those like you are the future of this hobby and our country.
Last edited by bmorgil; 03-14-2025 at 06:53 AM.
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