With the amount of "bad press" seen on here concerning some certain engine builders and their morally bad practises most find themselves knocking Jimmers door to get it done correctly.

 

However it can often be of interest when a new player in the world of rebuilds turn up, one such player has come to our attemtion twice in the past month ( link below)

 

http://www.idealengines.co.uk/img/header-image.jpg

 

Now before i go on, we have no evidence this company is bad at all and as such this is not a slagging off thread just an information one.

 

A customer who decided to source his own replacement engine for us to fit contacted the company above and had a quote for a rebuilt engine and is described as below:

 

Units sourced from low mileage vehicles

 

Engine blocks throughly cleaned and surfaces treated.

Engine Block Surfaces Machined Flat.

Tolerances checked on wearable items.

Oil pumps inspected or replaced where needed.

Cylinder heads skimmed or replaced where needed.

New OEM oil seals installed.

New OEM valve seals fitted.

Valve seats machined.

Valves lapped to ensure a tight seal.

Block cylinders inspected for cracks.

New cylinder liners fitted.

Cylinders machined to factory specs.

New uprated gas nitride piston rings fitted.

Connecting rods inspected and machined where necessary.

Crankshaft crack tested, ground and polished to specifications.

New OEM big end bearings fitted.

New OEM main bearings fitted.

New OEM spec Eristic head gasket fitted.

All bolts torqued to OEM specs according to Autodata.

Assembled units oil pressure tested.

Assembled units compression tested.

 

 

Ok sounds all very aggreable and given the cost is a mere £1200 inc vat it appears at first hand a very good deal indeed. So with the regular fitting charge he thought a couple of grand and he would be done.....oh no :nono:

 

It not what the comprehensive list above included its what it does not include is the key.

 

I spoke with them to confirm the figures and confirm for the customer exactly what he would get for £1200 in case it impacted on our swap over cost.....it did!!!

 

Its what they call a bare block rebuild

 

NOT INCLUDED

 

Turbos

Exhaust manifolds

Inlet manifold ( plenum) no throttles

No lower plenum

No injectors

No injector rail

No fuel damper

No fuel regulator

No ancillaries

No bottom pulley

No flyheel or flex plate (auto)

NO CAMBELT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No belts adjuster

No belt pulleys

No cambelt covers ( x 3 )

No water pump

No thermostat

No inlet pipes ( alloy front ones)

No pcv valves or pipe

No oil filter

No oil

 

 

The cost alone of swapping all if the usable parts from his engine and new parts to the new one doubles the swap out price and some with gaskets and belts, the ancillaries I conceed would not be included in a rebuild but no cambelt? what the hell, how can they turn the engine over after rebuild and be sure all is ok with no cambelt?? and no oil filter, so no bearings primed then.

 

As I said I do not know this company or the quality of their rebuild work but what this does prove is be very careful when comparing prices, its not what they include or say, its what they do no not say and do not include is the key.

 

Be careful out there ....

 

 

Jeff TT

Edited September 17, 201114 yr by JeffTT

Which is why cheaper is not always the best option. I think for something that could financially ruin someone it's always best to take something such as an engine rebuild/swap to someone who has the experience :)

 

Good read also Jeff :)

With the availability of OEM engines at a few thousand dollars (long block from ConceptZ at $7,150 and "short block" from Courtesy for $3,500), I know what I'd rather do than go to a general engine recon place. Even for a rebuild on a s/h one, I'd only ever go to a known Zed specialist.