Technical What does “rebuilt” mean to you?

I do know what rebuilt means when it comes to vintage parts and mechanics, but I’m looking for your opinion to possibly further my understanding. Recently I’ve purchased a couple things advertised as “rebuilt”, and to me that meant they were supposed to work and function as they were originally intended to. And when those parts didn’t work, at all, and I had to go through the parts and fix and replace things to make them work, I feel in those instances, that I was misled, and those parts were “not as advertised”. I’m absolutely not going to name names or call anyone out, but I would appreciate your opinion if you are inclined to speak up. Thanks!

 

To me when I get something that’s been “Rebuilt “
It means it’s brought back to manufacturers specification . All wearable parts are replaced, tolerances measured and any machining , welding , etc etc etc it done . Essentially a “like new “ part .

I am editing this as a Rebuild should also include any updates and recalls ( better bearings , wiring, tubing , fittings etc etc .)

refurbished means a part that’s been repaired and now works as it should . Not gone through and. rebuilt . But repaired and is in working condition .

my electric motor rebuilder , hydraulic rebuilder , and Engine rebuilder follow this as well .

When I want a rebuild I drop it off and say fix it . If I want it refurbished I tell ‘em “ patch job “

YMMV.

 

Hopefully you were not out much more than the time it took to get your parts in service.
I’d suggest in the future when dealing with a private party on a “rebuilt” part, ask what was done to the part.
I/e some people think rebuilding a carburetor is cleaning it up and putting new gaskets in it. That’s not even refurbished in my mind.

 

I think the definition(s) have to vary depending on what it is that you are talking about, and whether the work was performed by an OEM or a direct representative of the OEM. I really don't think its a "one definition fits all things" situation. With antique parts you also have the variable that the part may have been rebuilt a long time ago and someone is merely cleaning out some stuff they bought or inheirted and don't really have any knowledge beyond the label on the box. Its always disappointing to purchase something advertised as "rebuilt" and have it not work.

I did a thread on here a while back about "The Worlds worst mechanic", where I bought an engine core (350 Chevy) from a young guy who was rebuilding it. The work was absolutely disgusting and showed either a total lack of knowledge or an intentional attempt to mislead someone. He finally messed up a piston/rod when trying to assemble them and gave up. I only wanted a core engine block, though it came with a crank that needed turning, a set of heads, oil pan, Weiand aluminum intake, and some aluminum valve covers. Not a bad deal for standard bore (worn) block for $150. Sold the heads for $50. So $100 in what was left. I shudder to think that he might have actually gotten this engine reassembled and sold it to someone as rebuilt........
Engine was full of grit, crank journal "polished " with about 200 grit, lifters tossed in a box and none of the mating surfaces cleaned.

That said, buying a complete engine from someone that says it has been completely rebuilt is different from buying a rebuilt part in a box..........but either can have good or bad results. My opinion and its worth what eveyone paid me for it.

 

I agree with this.

 

Sounds like you got ripped off by some idiot that does not know what REBUILT actually means. And by all means, call the losers out.

 

When I'm doing it, or when someone else has done it?

 

You can even see several misleading term/ description here on parts / Vehicles for sale ,
I contacted a seller about His
""Vintage"" parts , I asked around what year where they made or when did you inquire the parts , No response to my
Question but inquire on what I might have for sale, the seller was interested in, Most I think are speculating & a sale Tactic( Vintage in add) Because items for sale are made to this day , Or in last 5 or so years ,
That is one place I would like for the HAMB Police Monitor make seller correct their listing or remove the listing's.

 

you need to believe that 90% of the time it means this.


But it should mean New bottom end, top end, all the parts are new.

 

^^^^ Aerosol Overhaul.

Gary

 

Yep ... "freshened" means one can of paint used. "Complete rebuild" means two cans used.

 

This is good advice, regardless of who the rebuilder is. Keep in mind that parts can change hands numerous times before they reach the installer. When a third party is involved, somebody in the loop might not be able to answer your question, might not know/might not care. That's the world in which we live. It's best to deal with reputable people who back their work and will be there if/when you need them. Fortunately, there are still a few people out there who know the meaning of the word "integrity," and they are smart enough to know that their business won't last without it. However, before badmouthing someone/business, give them an opportunity to make it right. Also keep in mind that there are probably as many devious buyers as sellers, people who want something for nothing.

 

Well, in my personal experience I've found that 'rebuilt' is a very elastic definition. The volume rebuilders IMO are all over the place, with returns rates of 20% deemed 'acceptable' in some places. Two items I would never buy as 'rebuilt' from a volume shop are carbs and generators, and I simply don't use generators (from any source) anymore. Alternators with external regulators are generally pretty safe, I'm not a big fan of integral regulators. Starters can be a toss-up.

With that said, if you're expecting the same service as OEM from a typical parts-house rebuilt part you'll almost always be disappointed as very few use replacement parts of the same quality as OEM, even if they meet minimum factory spec. This is particularly true if you're dealing with an item that's long out of production. While the 'common' parts may be available, some parts won't be so the rebuilder is forced to use the best available used parts or some sort of 'substitute' part. Steering boxes and vintage manual transmissions come to mind here, although there's certainly others. Get into the rare or odd-ball stuff or a part that was flawed from the factory originally and it can get even worse.

'Refurbished' is a term rarely seen in automotive, it's more commonly (and accurately) used in the electrical/electronics sector.

 

I agree with most of what you say, but on my kids short block, I polished the crank in my lathe, bottle brushed the cylinders, new rod and main bearings and new rings. Cleaned out the factory roller lifters, new cam and oil pump. Probably something else, don’t recall. But it’s not rebuilt. I’d consider it refurbished.

 

Usually when it comes to what I can afford, "rebuilt" means I am going to have to fix it.

 

If the oil pans On, It's a four bolt main!
Catch word..
Ran when parked... Etc.
Unless there's receipts from reputable shop... 99.9% BS

 

I agree with that, I was simply pointing out that most auto parts suppliers use 'rebuilt' rather than refurbished. There used to be a big local rebuilder that offered 'budget' rebuilds, 'full' rebuilds, or 'premium' rebuilds. The budget versions could have knurled pistons, reground cams, refaced lifters, valve stems turned down with knurled guides or guide shims, maybe just a timing chain without new gears, all sorts of shortcuts. The 'full' version got new pistons, cam/lifters/timing set/oil pump (but you'd still find shortcuts in the heads), the 'premium' was what should be considered as actually rebuilt.

They sold a ton of the 'budget' jobs to the local car lots.

 

Differing grades of rebuilt, I like that.

I consider my Hydra-Matic rebuilt. The parts that were outside spec were replaced, it has new bearings, new gaskets, shims, frictions and steels, fresh oil and it's been adjusted and tested. Heck, I even cleaned and painted it.

The parts alone were over a thousand bucks. My time, evenings and weekends doing it carefully and per the manual. I would say 40 hours in it easily.
What workshops charge these days to get someone who's not the apprentice to build up a gearbox that's only a distant memory these days? Let's call it $120/hr because it's specialist, niche work. So a conservative $9600 in labor.

Over ten grand for a gearbox?

Yeah, okay, I'll take my chances with that shiny one over there instead...

 

That sucks man. I know when I sell something Im honest as the day is long, if it has rust you will know about it, if it has dents you will know about it. We are all in this hobby together why try and screw someone? I would hope I get the same respect back when I’m buying.

 

Rebuilt. It is a "loose" term. Just because you bought a carb, say, that the PO added a rebuild kit to does not make it a "rebuilt carburetor" in my opinion. It is a "kitted" carb and it will not run, that is why he is selling it! Pay the parts price only. Caveat emptor

 

Sounds like something I would have said at one time.
I "feel" I was misled.
You were misled.
Took me a long time to understand that it's unfortunate but absolutely true... there are plenty of people out there who will readily... GLADLY, even... F you for a dollar.
Sorry.
Gotta watch 'em.

 

Unless you know who rebuilt it and what he did when he rebuilt it, you're buying a pig in a poke. Pay no more than you're willing to pay for a pile of parts (or no more $ than you're willing to lose).

 

Same here and it's nothing new (pardon the pun). Remanufactured carbs were terrible 40 years ago, shortly after OEM sold out old stock. Bought a Autolite 4100 that had missing needle hangers on both floats and a Carter YF w/choke spring installed backwards.

Joe

 

I avoid anything that is called out as rebuilt.

More often than not, it means that some of the parts that I will need to rebuild it properly will be missing.

 

"Rebuilt" means it requires a close inspection, and often an actual rebuild or at least fixing what was previously f***ed up before it's ready to use.
If there isn't any proof that work has been done or new parts have been put in, assume that hasn't happened. Some people try to fool you, some people just don't know better, but no matter what's going on on their side, if you are buying something you need to check what you are buying to actually know.

 

If it works (fixed what’s broke) and it’s clean, it rebuilt where I live

overhauled means ya replaced the bearings and rings, cleaned up the rest.

remanufactured means all new but the case or housing

 

There can be a lot of loose terminology and it is tough to determine exactly what was done. Rebuilt should mean fully disassembled, parts machined or returned to factory specs, and assembled with proper clearances and new wear parts. A refurbished part means that whatever was wrong is fixed and it is now back to working order. As stated, refurbished seem more common in electronic or consumer goods fields.
I also agree with Anthony, remanufactured is a higher level than rebuilt to my thinking. But again terminology is thrown around and it is best to ask detailed questions and to ask for any proof from receipts or other documentation.

 

Rattle can rebuild, pressure wash and paint. Seen a few of those.

 

Unfortunately, none of these terms really hold any water these days. An honest description of things is too often a thing of the past. It's all about getting stuff sold for maximum return, and enticing buyers by whatever means available is fair game, whether correct or not.

With regards to engines, rebuilt/remanufactured should mean ALL new parts and machining.
Reconditioned/refurbished has only had the necessary things done to make it a good running engine.