Re: Engine Builders and Machine Shops...NorCal/Sacramento??
[Re: CR8CRSHR]
#1317847
10/09/12 01:28 PM
10/09/12 01:28 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 127
Missoula, Montana
ChadP
member
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member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 127
Missoula, Montana
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There's a guy in Modesto, Steve Wann who builds Mopar engines. He has done all the engine work on his cars as well as a J/A superstock in San Jose that I know of. He's been very successful in racing his stuff. Steve Wann Racing / 1230 Saint Francis Ave / Modesto, CA. 95356-9709.
'65 Coronet 500
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Re: Engine Builders and Machine Shops...NorCal/Sacramento??
[Re: ChadP]
#1317848
10/09/12 01:48 PM
10/09/12 01:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 612
Nampa, ID
None2Slow
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 612
Nampa, ID
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A friend of mine has used Parrish Automotive in North Highlands. I dont know his experience with Mopars, but hes done a few small block Fords for him. It is not a fancy shop, but he has been there for years. The first engine he did for my friend was in 1990. After 10 years, he had to rebuild it due to an oil pump drive shaft snapped and he drove it. Also, another friend has used Rex Hutchison for his 67 BB Chevy II back halve car. Info for both shops below. Parrish Automotive Inc 3805 Madison Avenue North Highlands, CA95660 http://rexracingengines.com/
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Re: Engine Builders and Machine Shops...NorCal/Sacramento??
[Re: RobX4406]
#1317852
10/10/12 02:23 PM
10/10/12 02:23 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,530
Nunya CA
CR8CRSHR
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,530
Nunya CA
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Quote:
What's wrong with the current engine?
Right at the moment I can not go into complete details but in a nut shell, I entrusted a local machine shop...CA Street Machines in Suisun CA to put it together for me. This actually took place over 7 years ago while I was being deployed and still in service. The owner's Son was all over me to do the work as in the past I only had farmed out my head work to them and he wanted to do the whole job. I had had great success with my past builds...nothing fancy just a stock 383 clean up and slight upgrade of internals...without any glitches. Well I gave in and after getting the motor back, it sat for a few more years while I finished up my AF career and worked on the rest of the resto of my 66 Ply Satellite. When it came time the first time to install the engine it went in great but I could not turn the crank completely. It would stop suddenly one way and when turned the opposite it would do the same. That is in a 360 degree turn. Almost like stop to stop on steering. WTF????!!!  Turnes out that the #1 piston skirt was hitting the forward crank counter weight when the piston would bottom out. Crank was a stock 383 crank 10/10 and was the original to the engine. The builder said to just grind down the counter weight to get clearance and press on. Now I'm a novice when it comes to a lot of mechanical things but I didn't feel right about it after doing it. Something in my mind about "BALANCE"??? I subsequently decided to pull the motor and tear it down to replace the crank with another 383 crank @ 20/20. Took it to Bailey Bros here in CA and they suggested I use the replacement crank and put the #1 piston back in and check for clearance. It worked perfectly???
Completed the rebuild and re-installed the engine. Initial fire up went as planned...all though the roller rockers were noisy and I had difficulty at first with the Valve Lashing. John/Dart4Forte was even present at that time and commented on my work as being really neat clean and good. Any way...after some further set backs...power steering pump failures, fuel leaks, etc. I finally was able to get it all back together and ready for the next fire up. Now initial break in had been done so there was no need to completely re-break in the engine although I did follow the same steps as before. So Monday I fire it up and whamo...  Rear Main Seal leak. Damn!!! It didn't happen the first or the other 2 times prior to this last Mondays fire up??? This is not a slight leak either. Over 1 1/2 qts on the floor of the garage. Only way to do it correctly is yank the engine and fix it. So that hopefully brings you all somewhat up to date on this. Why am I looking for an engine builder after doing it all myself you ask??? I am still not convinced that the original build done by CA Street Machines was done properly and correctly...ref first crank piston issue...and now I want a reputable, MOPAR knowledgeable engine builder, to go over what has been done, what I have now, what direction I originally planned for this build to be, to include my parts that were put into it. I cannot afford any more set backs with this build as I have come too far and spent way too much $$$$$$...I am sure we all can relate to that statement...to bail on it. It has been an on-going build now for the past 7 plus years and I really want to see it through. But as the clock keeps turning and I am starting to get longer in the tooth if I cannot get this sorted out, then it will have to go so I can move on to other interests in my retirement. Monday I came real close to it.... 
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Re: Engine Builders and Machine Shops...NorCal/Sacramento??
[Re: CR8CRSHR]
#1317853
10/10/12 03:48 PM
10/10/12 03:48 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15,119
85086
moparpollack
Lil Herman
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Lil Herman
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15,119
85086
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Oil plug or sending unit before a main seal from sitting.
56 Plaza 63 D100 step side 67 Coronet, 68 Roadrunner, 69 Super Bees, 69 Coronet 500 convertible, 70 Roadrunner Post, 79 D150 360, and a severe case of Mopar a,d,d
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Re: Engine Builders and Machine Shops...NorCal/Sacramento??
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#1317857
10/12/12 01:48 PM
10/12/12 01:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,530
Nunya CA
CR8CRSHR
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,530
Nunya CA
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Quote:
Try sending me a PM on here so I can respond  I treid sending you a E mail from your profile Email address, I hope that goes through 
Got up to date with the PM issue this morning and thanks for the offer. Just gonna give it the weekend to decide. Monday I will pull the engine...already started the tear down and check the Oil Galley Plugs. The sending units...I have 2 with one for the dash idiot light and then a second for the under dash analog gauge...show no leakage at all. I am hoping it is the galley plugs that need to be addressed but pulling the engine will make it easier. I also have some touch up work to do while the engine is out. I guess it just comes with the territory...
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and find a reputable and thorough firm to make it right. Don't like the fact that more $$$ is now going to have to be spent, but I am way too deep into this project and want to get "er" done. 
Normally a main seal leak will leak onto the back of the crankshaft flane an be flung out onto the flex plate when the motor is running, if there is no oil on the crankshaft flange the main seal is not leaking 
OP, I sent you a PM on this, did you get it?