YOU HAVE HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD__SAID IT BETTER THAN I COULD I feel exactly the same way --I think that is what got me going on the crate motor I wish all the wanna-be hotrodders would by corvettes--then they would all fit in together
"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!" Beautiful!! I just about spit out my coffee reading this. It's so true. '32 Street rods have become the kit car of choice these days. You can build one without ever using an original part on the car.
Have never had a modern crate motor but did buy a 365HP 327 new from Frontier Chevrolet many years ago--ran very well-they have been around a while for sure-still use small journal 327's but my neighbor has used 5 crate Chevrolets in various cars and they all ran very well--no leaks-no problems-502's ran well as do his zz motors-much less hassle I guess--but I'm old and stubborn-maybe some day I'll buy one too but have several early 327's built and ready to go-so don't see one in my future right away-
crate motors are fine.. It is the goldchainer, assholes that give them a bad name.. as if you have a crate motor, you are somebody special..those guys are NOT good ol car guys, they are rich, braggers... I don't like those people.. !!!
good one, 49coupe.... those are the guys I'm talking about f'nnn braggers. never get there hands dirty...oh ya, I don't like those people.
Hey...don't bash Corvettes...just the owners!! LOL! I have a body-off '68 I need to find time to finish...except it will piss off the 'vette guys: planning black with traditional flames on an otherwise restored, numbers matching 327/350hp 4 speed car! I also had a C5 convertible that I DROVE as a daily driver - 78,000 miles in 3 years! The problem with the 'vette guys, just like the street rod guys, or the '57 chevy guys is the "uniform": hat that says corvette, jacket that says corvette, etc. I never wanted to be part of any group if I had to wear the uniform!
To me a "crate motor" means a new motor from the manufacturer. If it is a Ford it should say Ford on the crate. A lot of people expand this into meaning a rebuilt motor from someone other than the manufacturer that is shipped to them in a crate. Charlie Stephens
HEY wait a minute,I have a HAMB hat!! don't forget to wear black socks with sandals when U drive that vette LOL
For those of us, like me, that don't know jack shit about rebuilding a motor, but can do everything else to build a rod, crate motors are a blessing.
Theres nothing wrong with that--Its just that a lot of people that have them act like they are soo much better than someone that has an old motor or a rebuild
To be honest, I've never run across anyone like that. when someone asks me about my motor, I tell em flat out: I bought it out of a catalog because I don't have the skills/knowledge/tools to build my own. I'm not at all ashamed to admit this. Not sure why others might be. Egos, I guess? Question: isn't buying a crate motor the same as paying someone else to paint your car? Or to build you a chassis? Or to do your upholstery? Or does everyone do everything for themselves?
Two entirely DIFFERENT views of the same subject I have been on BOTH sides of this fence ... I totally rebuilt the 283 in my 1940 Ford coupe. I only farmed out the machine shop work. I spent almost 3 grand ... Bored the block .060 ( with torque plates ), new rod bolts and resized the rods, turned the crankshaft .010 and .010, all new valves and guides in the heads, New bearings and freeze plugs after squareing the block, New camshaft, lifters, push rods, rocker arms and valve springs. New double roller timing chain, new oil pump and drive rod. New water pump ( Edelbrock aluminum ) and a new MSD distributor ... ran great ( and still does according to the current owner ) Maybe ... 225 or so HORSEPOWER and no warranty for 3 grand, a couple days working on the engine, a good bit of time chasing down parts and the machine shop ... ALL with no warranty Bought this ZZ series ( ZZ 430 ) engine ... It is a limited edition ( number 430 of only 430 ever made by General Motors ) It is rated at 430 HP, 430 pounds of torque and had a factory GM warranty. It cost about twice what the 283 rebuild cost ... but it makes about TWICE the horsepower also. I was so satified with the ZZ430 in the 32 Ford roadster ... I found a second one for the 32 3W The ZZ430 series crate engines came complete ... From the air cleaner to the oil pan. Starter, carb, water pump ... ect. You just add your fuel pump ... and you are ready to ride ... So ... just build or BUY ... Different cars and different budgets require different responses
Sometimes the "crate motor" is the best way to go. Not only does it have a factory warranty, but you know all the parts are new. There was an engine rebuilder here in Ky., (Louisville) that sold rebuilt motors . Completely rebuilt 350 chevy for $650. The only problem was the engine was not completely rebuilt. It had new rings, new bearings and new cam & lifters. The heads were reworked only if deemed they needed it. The warranty was for 90 days. They got a lot of engines back. Give me a crate engine with a 24 month warranty over that anytime.
I put new vortec heads on a 73 corvette 350 block...guess i have half a crate motor? cool, i'm only half a douche bag.
well, if it does then some of them must be staying down there and working. that has to be a good thing.
MY engine is in a hundred pieces.... some of which are bein stored in old milk-crates... does that count?
Whats wrong with a crate motor? Just because you own a car doesn't mean that you have time, space, warm weather, and or knowledge to pull and rebuild whatever mill is in your car. I'm a barber. I have no time to crap sometimes, yet rebuild a motor. I havent even been able to change a wheel cylinder for 2 weeks. There is no shame in not knowing everything or in buying a warrantied motor. I would much rather save some cash and buy that crate, than to buy a used motor that may turn out to be worse than what I have. Lets not be hasty and judge others for working within there means, abilities, or capabilities.
I think threads like this throw up a lot of inverted snobbery from people with huge chips on their shoulders. Why do some people get so angry about what other people say or do? Paul.
Good enough post to use as a sig line! And it would fit on a lot of different threads. Thanks Paul. Larry T
If you are fundamentally against SBF, SBC and BBC then I guess this thread is going nowhere for you. But when it boils down to it, you can buy a crate long block and make it look like almost any style you want - nostalgia or hi tech and everything in between. Induction, valve covers, exhaust, accessories, paint, chrome etc. can change the look completely. I could make a crate SBC look like a '60s race engine or a 2010 blingmobile just by the choice of these things. What you are looking at is an assembled block and heads - everything else can be changed so how are you going to tell and what's the biggie? It makes a lot of sense because I for one could not build an engine, and after I have run back and forth to this machine shop, that parts store and everything else in between (been there, done that), it is much cheaper for me - and I say specifically for me - to order a crate engine from my armchair and then do it up cosmetically whichever way I chose. Once finished, I very much doubt that anyone is going to ask "Is that a crate motor?" and I don't see any reason for proclaiming the fact either. I guess my point is: what does it matter?
Good point indeed! I have a 290 hp 350 "crate" engine I bought with 500 miles on it. I changed the camshaft, installed aluminum heads and flat top pistons. It was a very good start to a strong running engine. Standard bore, crank is standard on all bearings surfaces. I did this because I have built engines from the ground up and it can be a pain chasing parts and hoping the machine shop does their job right...just mho
Uh... you could've got a Holman Moody crate motor back in the day. I don't see anything wrong with that. Crate motors aren't for me though... I bought a Ford 300 once and went through it hotrodding it, inside and out. At the end of the day I thought... "why didn't I just build a damned 100 dollar craigslist motor?". It would've been worth it if I was keeping it stock and just dumping it my pickup though. -Chris
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