When speaking of engines, we frequently hear descrpitives like "rebuilt" or "refurbed" or "refreshed" or the like. But these terms are ambiguous at best.
In my work I look at listings for hundreds of collector cars every week. It is very common to see cars described as "restored" to "all original". Of course, those definitions can mean any number of different things to different folks. But what about a "rebuilt" engine?
The following story is true, but no names will be mentioned; that's not the point of the story.
Several years back I bought a Studebaker engine from a well-known vendor. It was a special engine that I bought for a special project I had planned. The engine was sold to me on what I understood to be "refreshed"- new rings, bearings, turned crank, etc. It was even started in my presence. It had been assembled by the seller, who was well known, and with whom I had previously done business. So I bought it, thinking I had a big piece of my project ready to drop in and run. I brought it home, sealed it up, and kept it carefully stored in my best garage, like one would with any prize.
Well, things happened, other priorities came forth, and the project got delayed for a few years. Meantime, plans evolved, and I decided I didn't want this much engine in this project after all. So, the decision was made to sell it. I sold the engine in good faith to a friend.
Now the friend has possession of the engine. He decided to have the engine checked out in preparation for his project, and maybe do some performance mods.
It was a good thing he did.
Upon disassembly several problems were found: First was a scored crank... not freshly turned. The bearings were junk. There were areas that did not appear to have ever been cleaned. There were rings in the wrong grooves. This from someone who had a long history in the Studebaker world.
The buyer has another well-known friend working on the engine. They sent me pictures of the above mentioned flaws. And anyway, they would have no reason to lie.
I heard the engine run briefly in person one time. I never put it in a car, never tried to start it. So, I did it no harm. But I am coming out of my pocket to get it into the shape that he and I thought the engine was in the first place.
I bought the engine in good faith, on the word of a trusted seller. I sold it in good faith, based on that same word. And, the buyer bought it from me in good faith as well. It's probably lucky he bought it; I would have likely put it in thinking it was ready to use and blown it up. But the fact remains, the engine was not as it was claimed to be.
The common wisdom is that you are smarter to save up and buy a car that's already been restored; you can buy them cheaper than you can build them. In many cases, that is true. But you always run the risk that the work was inferior. Was there proper preparation under that shiny paint? Was that suspension rebuilt or just cleaned up and painted? And the engine- was the proper parts, cleaning, machining, and experienced assembly involved... or was it slapped together in somebody's home garage who did not know that there is way more involved than bolting the parts together?
The lesson: Unless you KNOW the builder, and know that he knows what he's doing, and can verify every step. Otherwise, you are taking a gamble. Every time.
As for this vendor: Again, it doesn't matter who it is. There's no point in calling him out- he has left the Studebaker world, so no one else has to worry about him. I didn't bother to contact him about this; these sales are as-is, and I bought it 5 years ago. But it does sting that I thought I knew the abilities of the seller.
My recommendation- don't take a chance on a "rebuilt" engine bought second-hand. If you do, you had better have someone knowledgeable tear it down and check everything carefully. After 40 nyears of building race cars, I still do not trust myself with the intricate art of internal engine assembly. Get with a quality, reputable, experienced builder. You will be money- and heartache- ahead.
In my work I look at listings for hundreds of collector cars every week. It is very common to see cars described as "restored" to "all original". Of course, those definitions can mean any number of different things to different folks. But what about a "rebuilt" engine?
The following story is true, but no names will be mentioned; that's not the point of the story.
Several years back I bought a Studebaker engine from a well-known vendor. It was a special engine that I bought for a special project I had planned. The engine was sold to me on what I understood to be "refreshed"- new rings, bearings, turned crank, etc. It was even started in my presence. It had been assembled by the seller, who was well known, and with whom I had previously done business. So I bought it, thinking I had a big piece of my project ready to drop in and run. I brought it home, sealed it up, and kept it carefully stored in my best garage, like one would with any prize.
Well, things happened, other priorities came forth, and the project got delayed for a few years. Meantime, plans evolved, and I decided I didn't want this much engine in this project after all. So, the decision was made to sell it. I sold the engine in good faith to a friend.
Now the friend has possession of the engine. He decided to have the engine checked out in preparation for his project, and maybe do some performance mods.
It was a good thing he did.
Upon disassembly several problems were found: First was a scored crank... not freshly turned. The bearings were junk. There were areas that did not appear to have ever been cleaned. There were rings in the wrong grooves. This from someone who had a long history in the Studebaker world.
The buyer has another well-known friend working on the engine. They sent me pictures of the above mentioned flaws. And anyway, they would have no reason to lie.
I heard the engine run briefly in person one time. I never put it in a car, never tried to start it. So, I did it no harm. But I am coming out of my pocket to get it into the shape that he and I thought the engine was in the first place.
I bought the engine in good faith, on the word of a trusted seller. I sold it in good faith, based on that same word. And, the buyer bought it from me in good faith as well. It's probably lucky he bought it; I would have likely put it in thinking it was ready to use and blown it up. But the fact remains, the engine was not as it was claimed to be.
The common wisdom is that you are smarter to save up and buy a car that's already been restored; you can buy them cheaper than you can build them. In many cases, that is true. But you always run the risk that the work was inferior. Was there proper preparation under that shiny paint? Was that suspension rebuilt or just cleaned up and painted? And the engine- was the proper parts, cleaning, machining, and experienced assembly involved... or was it slapped together in somebody's home garage who did not know that there is way more involved than bolting the parts together?
The lesson: Unless you KNOW the builder, and know that he knows what he's doing, and can verify every step. Otherwise, you are taking a gamble. Every time.
As for this vendor: Again, it doesn't matter who it is. There's no point in calling him out- he has left the Studebaker world, so no one else has to worry about him. I didn't bother to contact him about this; these sales are as-is, and I bought it 5 years ago. But it does sting that I thought I knew the abilities of the seller.
My recommendation- don't take a chance on a "rebuilt" engine bought second-hand. If you do, you had better have someone knowledgeable tear it down and check everything carefully. After 40 nyears of building race cars, I still do not trust myself with the intricate art of internal engine assembly. Get with a quality, reputable, experienced builder. You will be money- and heartache- ahead.
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