Motor in cate... crate motor! Its so easy, no mater what kind of engine it is, it just has to have been in a crate.
SOUNDS GOOD!! wish I still had mine,but had to sell it and a couple others--36 5window with 49 merc flattie and chopped & channeled 39---was getting married & needed the $$$
Because you can't buy this in a junkyard or build it yourself unless you have an aluminum 427 block hanging around collecting dust.. The bad news is it costs 20k
I don't have anything against crate engines. It's just the first thing I learned how to build when I started working on car's. Took machine shop in highschool, went to work for a big machine shop when I got out of school. Engines are pretty simple for the most part. If I find a good runner for a daily I'll buy it, if I want something special I'll build it.
This thread implys that unless you know absolutely every part of your car, motor, chassis, suspension and have a complete understanding of how each functions and can build each from scratch; you shouldn't own one or post anything about it or be proud of your work on it. It says you aren't a REAL car guy (girl; whatever). My point is we all have our strengths and weaknesses in our hobby. I know that some can lay a mean paint job, some can build a mean motor, some can fab up a mean body. Who cares what your strengths are, you do this shit for you! Not the A-hole calling you out because you arent a motor guy. I would rather be the best at one thing than ok at a couple things (which is what I got now). You cant please everyone, so why try to please anyone!
Very well said. I build my own engines and have built a bunch over the years. The only kind of painting I'mm capable of involves a brush & a roller so I leave that to someone else. Crate motors are a great way for a guy without that skill to get exactly what he wants complete & running & with a factory warranty. There's nothing at all wrong with that.
After reading this post some, It seems that COST is the main reason for a crate motor. Seems ironic to me, A Guy will build a '32, '40, Or whatever ... Spare no expense on Billit Bolt on Crap, $20 Grand on Paint, Another $8 Grand on 1 off Billit wheels and so on .. But will Buy & Promote his "CRATE MOTOR" Cus it was a GOOD DEAL. Does anyone know where i can get a CRATE DeSoto Hemi ? I need instant Gratification at a Cheaper price than building one...
No Desotos but I do have a friend in NJ who has FOUR brand new 426 Hemis from the 70s sitting in the original crates. He worked for the Chrysler distribution warehouse for years and bought them back when they were being discontinued and sold off cheap. I believe he paid $500 each.. Not for sale. He says they are his retirement plan.
Call H&H and get a crate flatmotor. Call Indy Cylinder Head and get a crate hemi. If anyone has the talent and tools to build their own engines, do it. Most folks on here dont seem to have that experience given some of the questions I read on threads. I build my own 1000+ hp drag race motors with only the machine work farmed out.Been doing it for years.Guess whats in my 32, a crate motor. Why, cheaper than building it with equivelant quality parts.
If it's a chevy, the same way you check them all, the stamped ID numbers on the front right side of the block. Larry T
They're a cheaper and easier solution that trying to rebuild a 50-75 year old engine. I'm building a car with a specific era in mind, so they wouldn't work for me, but it if didn't matter, why not go with a new motor? I had lots of fun on my nailhead rebuild; supplier shipped wrong parts, crack in the block we didn't notice before, camshaft arrived in two pieces, etc. etc. It took a couple of months to make it happen and a lot of running around. If I had my car at a Rod & custom builder's shop, I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted my car hanging around for two months while I sorted the engine rebuild out. Besides, everyone today is being conditioned to buy standard stuff and strive for cheaper and easier solutions; homes, cars, clothes etc. We could have the same thread on complete roller chassis, reproduction bodies or 9" Ford axles; easier, cheaper, available and less hassle.
I hate the idea of buying a twice+ rebuilt motor where every part was machined by the lowest bidder, usually improperly, and the possibility exists that I will need to pay as much or more making it right than I spent on the motor in the first place. My first choice would be a low miles OE takeout, but my second would be a semi custom crate motor from a reputable builder. I'm not likely to order a turn key motor, carb to pan, but I will definitely look at long blocks when I am shopping. If I see anything bored over stock, I move on. That's one less overhaul for me in the future.
I've read/ heard a lot of people say that a crate motor is the most cost effective option. This may be true in most cases, but I bought a new/ standard 5.0 short block that had been stored for ten years, I put a B303 cam in it, got some new aluminum GT40 heads ect. ect.. By the time I had the pan on the thing, I had a new engine that had identical specs to a performance crate motor ford offers for about $1500.00 dollars less. The only catch was that I had to disassemble, inspect and re-lubricate the short block. I am not sure if my labor for assembly would have been $1500.00, but I did not have to go to the machine shop once, and the engine had the correct oil pan and timing cover on it. Some people may call this a crate motor because I started with a new short block, but I have way labor in it than what is usually expected with a crate motor.
There is nothing wrong with a crate motor. I have a bone stock 502 that has been very impressive, never showing a bit of trouble. Agreed, it depends on the build and what motor you plan to use. Hating crate motors is about the same thing as being pissed off that someone sent an engine out to a professional for a complete rebuild.
I find it odd that so many people are fixated on "real" and "cool". Do you build or buy a car for the sole purpose of being cool, so you won't feel left out? Do you let everyone else decide what music is "good" and what clothes and tattoos are "lame"? There are people who need friends and will do anything to stay safely in the middle of the pack, so that- God forbid- they aren't without a safety net. If I've put my heart, soul, and hard-earned money into a car- Is my heart going a mile a minute the first time I pull into a gathering, hoping you'll "like me"? Pfft. Heeeelll no. Sure- I'd like to have pleasant converations with you, as it makes the day go by faster... But- If you have, or have not, deemed me an "asshole" matters less to me than how the car and my decisions and workmanship stand up to the rest of the cars around mine. If you are stupid enough to think that telling me this is going to make you feel better, then I will give you some very public and much needed therapy.
You are absolutely right--I think too many people watch these programs on TV and now all of a sudden think that if U don't have a crate motor and leather upholstery and 200 coats of BC-CC-that there is something wrong with you,and I think the next person that ask me if my car is a kit car is going to get punched--I'm getting to the point that when I go to a cruise nite or anywhere with my car I just park it and disappear --go have a beer or something. The most fun I have when going to an event is the drive there and back
Crate motors have their place, but I don't like them. You see, when I was growing up, everyone wanted to have a quick car. The first thing anyone ever messed with was the engine. We built our own engines to out do each other, I was a SBF guy, others had different tastes. Sometimes what we build didn't perform, and well we took a ton of grief from our pals. We would buck up, and sometimes change engines before the next weekend. Sometimes someone would put together a cheap and dirty, but well thought out combo and come out and put a hurting on everyone. You see it was a challenge to out do other people, to hone our skills and talents, engine building IMO is one of the bare basic necessities of hot rodding. We didn't have aluminum heads or any fancy stuff back then, but our cars ran hard, it took more thought to get stock stuff to go. I give props to anyone who builds their own engines, even if they are not as potent as expected. Buying a crate motors does not show talent. What chaps my hide is when someone boasts about their ZZwhatever crate motor, thinking they are top dog, with nothing to back it up. I've put together junk that ran hard for under 1k, and had the longevity of a OEM production engine, and had the time slips and dyno sheets to back it up. These are just my opinions.... I'm done venting now.
I think you are on to something, it seems as though what was origionally intended to be an economical solution has become a status thing with some people. Sort of a name brand mentality I guess.
There have always been "crate motors" as replacement parts from manufacturers. My first exposure to them in real life was back in '68 when my best friend decided to retire his hi perf '62 409 for the new 435 hp big block, triple carbed 427 that had just come out in the Corvette. He paid $850 for it as I recall. I bought the dual four barrel 409 from him for $175 and I still have it. Nowadays "crate engine" is just a catch-all phrase because "remanufactured", or "custom built" doesn't carry the same amount of testosterone (my opinion). That said I still don't have a problem with someone buying one because they make economic sense. Some guys are just not knowledgeable enough to build stout engines with the right combination of parts or possess the skills to do the assembly work and when they do cobble something together the results are usually disappointing. I am reminded of my neighbor who had his wife's pristine, low mileage 69 Corvette 350/350 modified. He had a radical race cam installed and added a tall hood scoop to it and presented it to her Christmas morning with a huge red bow on it. It was so unstreetable she stopped driving it. Six months later he sold it for $4000.
I avoid car shows and cruise nights like the plague. For every "real" hot rod guy, there's inevitably 30 Izod-wearing-fluffy-dog-on-a-leash-cry-baby-propping-trailer-towing-have-my-guy-detail-it-so-I-can-get-a-trophy-oh-hell-that-looks-like-rain-I-gotta-get-it-in-the-trailer wanna-be's. I was never fond of popularity contests, and that's all most of the shows have come down to anymore - just with different rules. In high school, you had to come from the right side of town, have the right clothes, etc, etc. In the hot rod world, you have to use the right parts! Read any "mainstream" hotrod/streetrod/custom mag and it inevitably follows these rules: Billy always wanted a "_________" (insert '32 ford, 57 chevy, 40 ford, etc). So when he decided to "build"....took his Wescott's (or Brookeville, or) _____ to (insert builder name here)...(builder's name) started with a (brand name) chassis, installed a (insert crate engine name / model), with a (brand name) transmission. An (insert steering column make) was installed and hooked to the (insert front suspension manufacturer) IFS with a (brand name) universal joint. The (car) was then taken to (insert body shop), where the (new) body was blocked and sanded to perfection before laying down (paint brand) and wet sanded and buffed to perfection. When the paint was cured, it was rolled over to (upholstery shop), where the interior was put together using (brand name) seats, (brand name) door panels, and a custom dyed (insert tweed, hand rubbed Italian leather, micro-stitched leather only from the skin of sheep testicles, etc). Great job Billy, we can't wait to see what you "build" next!
Well, I live overseas so It's not like shipping would be cheap. I am in high school and it costs me an arm and a leg to ship small parts over hear. So when I wanted a better motor I am rebuilding a 350 for my project now. Man I am learning a lot. I had no experience before and now I have tons. I have had lots of fun working with friends and my dad. Sure I would buy a crate motor when I get back to the States why not? I certanly wouldn't brag about it though. But man o man do I love rebuilding engines there is also A HUGE SENCE OF PRIDE in running your'e own motor. I like traditional hot rods so older motors are usually the way to go but if I had a custom were the engine was not exposed sure I would run a crate they are cheap as hell. Both are good in my opinion!
A crate motor is the lazy man's way of building an engine ! They hire people that get paid by the hour to slam them together and out the door . They are cheap for a reason , Cheap damn parts ! If you hire someone to BUILD you an engine , then you get what you want . You can get better parts and you know what you are getting ! If you don't give a damn who built your engine then buy one and stick it in . On the other hand just save yourself a bunch of money and go to the salvage yard for a low mileage engine . The only difference is the mileage and a can of paint . So I guess you can get the idea of what I think about the crate engines . I build my own ! Just something to think about ! RetroJim
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