Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: relax383]
#1603968
04/06/14 03:27 PM
04/06/14 03:27 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Quote:
Hey guys I am saving up to put a Hemi in my 70 RR and i have a few questions.
1. Would you guys build you own engine up or would you buy a crate motor from MP?
2. If i do build my own which block is a good one to start with Iron or Aluminum? Any block to avoid?
This will be going into a street car so I don't need full on race equipment.
For what your doing the crate engine is a good bet BUT I would have a good shop go though it due to they use to come out of MP sorta messed up... that was some years back
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: relax383]
#1603970
04/06/14 05:26 PM
04/06/14 05:26 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,266 Renton Washington
Triple Threat
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master
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Posts: 6,266
Renton Washington
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I agree with the other advice, buying a motor built is fine but I wouldn't buy from MP. You'll get a better engine for your money with other vendors.
-Dustin 67 Dart, 9 second, 392" G3 Hemi 68 Barracuda 340 F/SA
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: Quicktree]
#1603972
04/06/14 05:50 PM
04/06/14 05:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Master
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Romeo MI
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Quote:
why buy a crate motor just to have somebody rebuild it? just find a builder and have them build it.
Because the price isnt bad for a crate... but the last time I heard(some years back) the valve train was a mess... if you know how you can do the work yourself
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: relax383]
#1603973
04/06/14 06:48 PM
04/06/14 06:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,138 East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
RoadRunner
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
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East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
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Either way, start shopping now. New block inventory is pretty much dried up. Asking price for the few blocks out there are 2x the price they were a few months ago. Not sure on crate engine builders. They may have an inventory. I prefer to build myself. If something is screwed up, it's my mistake and I have no one to blame. You can also buy the parts you want and tied to parts the supplier works with.
Good luck.
68 Road Runner (383/4speed, post car w/decor pkg) - Major Project 69 Road Runner w/472 Hemi & 4 speed. 70 Challenger R/T SE EF8 w/ V9J, U - A32 - Major Project 2023 Ford Mach 1
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: maxie]
#1603976
04/06/14 07:31 PM
04/06/14 07:31 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
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Romeo MI
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Quote:
I have pieced two hems together with quality parts.
The one in the road runner: 426 cubic inches eagle crank manly rods j and e pistons mopar aluminum heads indy single four intake comp cams mechanical cam rockers from FHO stage V valve covers jesse biggs 1070 cdm single four
all new parts when I built it, but the intake. I have $8500 in it
The hemi in the demon
433 cubic inches callies super stock cheater crank diamond pistons 11 to 1 990 tool steel pins 600/600 248 at 50 solid roller comp roller lifters dick landy roller rockers iron heads stainless valves ferra rick allison cross ram 770 holleys
I have about 14,000 in it. All new parts when assembled but the valve covers
I dont see a block in either or the machine work.. and when did you build them
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1603977
04/06/14 08:31 PM
04/06/14 08:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,063 Indiana
maxie
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,063
Indiana
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Quote:
Quote:
I have pieced two hems together with quality parts.
The one in the road runner: 426 cubic inches eagle crank manly rods j and e pistons mopar aluminum heads indy single four intake comp cams mechanical cam rockers from FHO stage V valve covers jesse biggs 1070 cdm single four
all new parts when I built it, but the intake. I have $8500 in it
The hemi in the demon
433 cubic inches callies super stock cheater crank diamond pistons 11 to 1 990 tool steel pins 600/600 248 at 50 solid roller comp roller lifters dick landy roller rockers iron heads stainless valves ferra rick allison cross ram 770 holleys
I have about 14,000 in it. All new parts when assembled but the valve covers
I dont see a block in either or the machine work.. and when did you build them
The one in the road runner was done about 9 years ago, the one in the demon was done 3 years ago. Both times I had new blocks.
It would be hard to justify/build the road runner motor again. I am a toolmaker and a buddy of mine would ask me to make him stuff for his car. I never charged him anything, thats what friends are for. One day he called me and said he had a new hemi mega block and did I know anybody that would want it. He buys all sales parts and acquired it in a trade. I told him I would take it if the price was right. What ever he got out of it was pure profit. He said as long as I built it and didn't sell it, that I could have it for $350. He said it was his way of paying me back for all the years of making him stuff or wrenching on his car.
All the machine work and assembly was done at Sharpes Racing engines in Liberty Indiana.
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: maxie]
#1603979
04/06/14 08:37 PM
04/06/14 08:37 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Master
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Romeo MI
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The one in the road runner was done about 9 years ago, the one in the demon was done 3 years ago. Both times I had new blocks. It would be hard to justify/build the road runner motor again. I am a toolmaker and a buddy of mine would ask me to make him stuff for his car. I never charged him anything, thats what friends are for. One day he called me and said he had a new hemi mega block and did I know anybody that would want it. He buys all sales parts and acquired it in a trade. I told him I would take it if the price was right. What ever he got out of it was pure profit. He said as long as I built it and didn't sell it, that I could have it for $350. He said it was his way of paying me back for all the years of making him stuff or wrenching on his car. All the machine work and assembly was done at Sharpes Racing engines in Liberty Indiana.
I dont know if new blocks are used in the crate engines or not but whats the cost of a new block now days.. if you can find one
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#1603984
04/07/14 10:13 AM
04/07/14 10:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md
Mr.Yuck
Not enough dumb comments...yet
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Not enough dumb comments...yet
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562
Brookeville, Md
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Quote:
Quote:
Hey guys I am saving up to put a Hemi in my 70 RR and i have a few questions.
1. Would you guys build you own engine up or would you buy a crate motor from MP?
2. If i do build my own which block is a good one to start with Iron or Aluminum? Any block to avoid?
This will be going into a street car so I don't need full on race equipment.
For what your doing the crate engine is a good bet BUT I would have a good shop go though it due to they use to come out of MP sorta messed up... that was some years back
My buddy paid a ton for his 472, he pulled the pan and hit every nut/bolt on the thing before he put it in the car. Seems the assembly was NOT done w/ care. I'd think you could get a better deal buying the parts and doing it yourself.
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: Mr.Yuck]
#1603985
04/07/14 12:01 PM
04/07/14 12:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,652 Stuttgart, Arkansas
rickseeman
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Stuttgart, Arkansas
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It's not like it used to be. If you get a block, the cylinder bores would be off so you would have to take it somewhere to get it honed, the main bores would be too tight so it would have to be line honed, the nose of the crank would be too big and the balancer would have to be honed, the valves wouldn't fit the guides etc. You can't really "put one together yourself" because none of this stuff you can buy today fits so it won't bolt together.
If I were in your shoes I would call Ray Barton and get a pump gas 528.
2011 Drag Pak Challenger
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: rickseeman]
#1603986
04/07/14 12:14 PM
04/07/14 12:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 77 British Columbia Canada
Challenger340
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British Columbia Canada
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I think the Crate Engines are a great "Building Block"... or rather "parts package" from which to dis-assemble, go through, and correct, or otherwise build into something you would be more happy with ? Sorry for the negativity here... but even the later ones we've seen/Dyno'd.. that ran fine.... just weren't that great at anything. Nonetheless, as a parts pkg.... Block, Crank, Rods, yada, yada, great place to start from IMO.
Better to be a "has been" than a "never was".
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: relax383]
#1603990
04/08/14 12:24 PM
04/08/14 12:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,138 East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
RoadRunner
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East Aurora (Buffalo) NY
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Quote:
Man you guys weren't kiddin about people trying to sell blocks at a premium. I better get on it.
Word has it that the machining for the blocks isn't up and running. From what I understand, and I could be wrong, is that all the machining is in storage and looking to be installed somewhere. Jegs, Summit and those type of places were told late May for availability. Some of the suppliers who advertise here indicate that MP has no chance of making the late May date. My guess is by next year blocks will be back on the market. If you are not in a hurry, you could wait for supply to catch up to demand.
For reference, block DCC-5155072A was $2600 last November, went to $2900 in March. I tried ordering and told it was on back order. They are now showing up on ebay for $5000.
68 Road Runner (383/4speed, post car w/decor pkg) - Major Project 69 Road Runner w/472 Hemi & 4 speed. 70 Challenger R/T SE EF8 w/ V9J, U - A32 - Major Project 2023 Ford Mach 1
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: relax383]
#1603992
04/08/14 04:29 PM
04/08/14 04:29 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,397 Carson City, Nevada
Biginchmopar
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,397
Carson City, Nevada
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I can build you one. That being said I can get parts or you can get parts either way doesn't matter to me. I could get a KB Aluminum block for right around $5000.00 that would be the best block you can get. The rest of the stuff is probably readily available. Let me know, I'm on the West Coast, sort of.
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: relax383]
#1603996
04/12/14 06:13 PM
04/12/14 06:13 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
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Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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Quote:
I gave Keith Black a call I am going to start with one of their Aluminum blocks yes it is expensive but the weight reduction and improved handling will be worth it. Going to fill the bottom end with Crower crank and rods. they are local so i can just pick them up. not sure yet on pistons and final CR would do you guys think for a street hemi? I can run on pump gas or there is a SOCO station by my house i can get 100 if i want.
Thoughts?
I would stay with pump gas 93 at max and base comp on that
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: relax383]
#1603998
04/12/14 06:34 PM
04/12/14 06:34 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
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Master
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Romeo MI
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Quote:
good idea I wish we had 93 in CA
Well what ever your premium fuel is but stay short just in case they reduce the octane
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Re: to build a hemi or buy a crate motor?
[Re: relax383]
#1604000
04/12/14 06:51 PM
04/12/14 06:51 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
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Romeo MI
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Quote:
thanks for the advice wasn't trying to be sarcastic. Just wish CA wasn't so..........different.
I understand... I built my SB to run on 87 and its still about 600HP
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