The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Where To Rebuild

OK, so I am really new to this "finally" having an old 1953 and a couple of 1954 Chevy trucks. Of course none of them run. So now where does one send the motor to have it rebuilt? I am all about getting these trucks back to original and not getting a supped-up engine so big that it will not fit under the hood.

I live in a small town near Bozeman, Montana. So, I would like to find someone close to there who has experience with rebuilding these inline six cylinder motors. I also need to get the transmissions rebuilt and possibly the rear ends rebuilt.

Grab a Chilton's manual or a Chevy shop manual for your truck. You will have a lot of fun doing it yourself and you will learn alot and appreciate it more. I rebuilt a 3 speed trans out of a GMC using a Chiltons when I was just 16! Give it a try!
Brett

Try going to one of the classic car shows in Bozeman or Helena and talking to the folks who have already done a rebuild. Whether you decide to do it yourself or have it done, you will still need to find a good machine shop for some of the work. Another option is to talk with the auto mechanics teacher at your local high school. He will be able to tell you the best shops in your area to work with.

When considering the options for an engine rebuild, Jasper Engines & Transmissions is at the high end of the spectrum - highest quality and, most likely, highest cost.

I have rebuilt a 216 and a 261 with good results but I had assistance and advice from people who really knew what they (and I) were doing (and two of them worked at engine machine shops).

If you decide to use a rebuilder, ask for three references - names/numbers of people who have had their engine rebuilt in the last 5 years. Also, ask them if they have a Shop Manual for your year of engine.

If you use a rebuilder you'll spend $2500-3,000+ - be sure it is someone who has first-hand experience.

I agree on the Jaspers engines. They have a program for collector type rebuilds. They will rebuild it to your specs & paint it your color. They will pick it up & ship it to there factory & return it in 2-3 weeks. If the engine is not worn to badly sometimes you can do a simple ring/valve job yourself & fresen it up. If it needs boreing & crankshaft you are better off letting a rebuilder do the whole thing.

the factory shop manual covers the engines in great detail, and that is all I used when rebuilding my 2 216's, and the third one that I will pick up this weekend.
They are very basic engines, so just take digital pics along the way and there are plenty of people here that can help along the way.

If you prefer having them professionally rebuilt, which is fine, I would ask around. There are some antique tractor folks up that way that have a lot of knowledge about engines of this era, and many local tractor repair shops could handle the job, I would definately get references first and talk to the references, also look around their shop, It can be kind of dirty, but what you are looking for is if there are parts lying on every surface that is open. Valves, springs, etc.
You want them to be somewhat organized and not mistake any parts as they rebuild.(so maybe avoid the shops with 12 gazillion parts laying everywhere) Another route you can take, that My high school in North Carolina used to do, is that they would have a shop class in which for hire they would rebuild an engine/ or multiple engines.
the charge was very low. The teacher supervised the entire job and the students did the majority of the work.
In my junior year they rebuilt a inline diesel dump truck engine, and in my senior year a big block chevy motor for a pickup that they completely restored then sold to fund new tools and equipment for the shop.

Just some ideas, Jasper is also great as well.

You know I've really had some feelings for good ol Bolters like yourself that really needs a hand on rebuilding an engine,trans rearend or what have ya. I've been doing this stuff since I was a freshman in high school, Pops was a farmer and showed me the way wether I wanted to or not.Back in those days with very little money he had those tractors and harvestors a runnin. He didn't even know what a torque wrench, dial indicater,etc.etc. was. So dependig on your finances I would find a decent machine shop, keep your fellow Bolters aware how the progress is going. Good luck.

So, you've got 3 engines. Do you know exactly why any of them don't run? See which ones might turn over or look like the best candidate and try to get one running yourself. you might be surprised. Get a shop manual and search/ask questions here. Worst case scenario is you'll learn something and gain some experience and maybe have a little fun too.