Good to see & hear we aren't the only ones!! Because everytime we call a manufacturer with an issue like this they ALWAYS say WOW, we've never had anyone else call with this type of problem!! SMDH!!
You can always tell the real deal when they talk straight with loads of common sense. Old video but I really enjoyed the valve adjustment video you put out.
Ken Ellison is the man, he found the issue with my brand new motor......afr 165 s sbf heads out of the box, valve guides shot, he found it and corrected it thanks Ken
I would gladly drive cross country just to have your work on my engine ... thank you for making this video and telling it straight .... fantastic video
Wow. I'm no mechanic, but I was going to have a remanufactured motor installed in an 94' Chevy Silverado. Now I know that I need to shop around and find a shop that does quality engine work instead of cookie cutter mass sales stuff. Fully understand that quality pays off in the long run. You saved me a lot of time and money. Thanks
Did you end up buying a remanufactured engine for your Chevy? I need to buy one for mine and I've had pretty bad luck with auto parts store rebuilt engines in the past. A brand new one from Chevy isn't really that much more. I'm afraid to buy a rebuild from an auto parts store anymore because sometimes you damn near have to hire an attorney to get them to honor the warranty on it.
What a great demonstration of why some factory cars run better than others. It really applies across the board how something so simple can cause a huge issue and make you chase your tail. Keep up the great work!!!
Thanks for the demonstration! I wish you'd been in the area when I needed an engine built; your integrity shows and I hope your customers appreciate it.
First motor I ever built when I was young, I put in a 10-10 crank & I couldn't even turn it over. I hadn't plasti gauged it!! Figured it must be good, it wasn't. Never made that mistake again. Good job Ken!!!
I just wish I had half of the knowledge you have and a shop like yours to play in there’s not to many people who have the pride in what they do as I have seen with you in you’re videos great job Ken keep making videos for me to watch love the content 👍👍👍
I'm beginning my first (by myself) engine rebuild. I am very grateful for the knowledge you shared. I will be checking everything out of the box. Please do make more videos. Knowledge is power.
good old school machine shops are getting harder to find. Here in Sacramento we are down to 2. one of the shops is down to 2 person shop. Thank you for this video.
Video extremely well done! I hope you make good money sir because you dang well deserve it. Very few mechanics have the experience and passion that you have doing your job sir. I need a 5.3 vortec engine in my 05 Tahoe right now and I'm worried sick about what I'm going to end up with. I don't mind paying good money for quality work but the sad truth is lots of people pay good money and get way less than they paid for. I sure wish you were within driving distance of where I live. I would be honored to be on your waiting list. Much respect for what you do and how you do it sir. You are a dying breed.
I see what your saying, and I understand. But, myself, im still learning, so it will take me some time to learn some of the stuff you know and are talking about. But, your right , stuff right out of the box sometimes needs to be checked and adjusted or fixed. Your right.and only someone as experienced as you would know most of these issues.
Many years ago you guys built a .060 over 12 1/2 to one 396 for my older brother Carl. It was a beast! It ran strong enough to crack the factory lead joints between the roof and quarter panels.
Great advice ,i was thinking about rebuilding my engine myself because i've always wanted to rebuild a engine but your absolutely correct and i can't afford a learning lesson. i'll send it to my engine rebuild specialist and get a junkyard engine to rebuild on the side
Who the hell would thumbs down this video???? Your videos are great. Your information is spot on. Just used your zreo valve lash adjustment procedure on a 4 bolt 350 today. Runs great no valvetrain clatter whatsoever. Anyone would be wise to watch your videos attentively.
I just want to say wow! Never have I seen or heard anyone explain the how to’s (diy’s) in such a way. I read some of the comments and I agree you should make more videos. I’m the type of guy that loves to work on my own , friends and family’s car and trucks and if it’s something that’s new to me I turn to TH-cam and google so I can get an idea of what I’m getting into. Just to be able to jump right in with knowledge and get the job done right. I’ve watched video after video and I’ve learned a lot of the how to’s along with the do not’s lol but you Sir I can say are one of the greats and great at what you do. So thank you and please make as many video as you possibly can. I have subscribed and turned on my notifications for any and all future videos again thank you and god bless
I'm a retired auto mechanic. And I can't agree more. My saying for years has been "just because it new and in a box doesn't mean it's not junk. I've pissed of a lot of parts people in my time.
Great video Ken.I wish I had the knowledge you possess but I'm getting better because of guys like you.Thank you for your time,I appreciate it.Keep up the good work.Reggo
When I did my apprenticeship for automotive the journeyman I worked under would say age is no guarantee of quality and I've always remembered that 16 yrs later
A couple decades ago I tried to make it work as an auto mechanic. I didn't have formal training I was only a shade tree. I was at a big-box muffler shop and a guy who was my age now in his 50s was just the most I don't give a s*** about my job mechanic I ever worked at next to. He a car roll out the door with only three lug nuts on the wheel because the fourth studs stripped. In the fall of 2020 to a Toyota dealership quoted me 6 hours of Labor at $150 an hour just to do a rear motor mount bushing replacement. It is not a fun job for a guy working out of his garage and no lift and no air tools, look to take the wheel off and to undo the three bolts of the ball joint ( on many Toyotas you don't have to take the ball out of the socket because there's an offset piece of Steel were three bolts go through to fasten it to the control arm), lift the car up, tight space but undo the carrier bearing which is likely seized to the half shaft and then finally undo the motor mount Bolts from the engine block and the body.
Thank you very much for all your advise in the videos you post! I take everything you say to heart and will remember all the knowledge you share so I can share with my kids!
Thanks Ken. Your knowledge is invaluable to most of us. I am on the process of building my fifteenth engine with new Dart heads and have checked the decks and valves. I checked the valves by using alcohol bet have everything Needed to build the vacuum system you use. I use a vacuum gauge to tune engines. Man you da Man!
YOU ARE THE MAN!!! I ENJOY/LOVE AUTOMOTIVE EVERYTHING! THE THRILL OF HP NEVER LEAVES YA!!! WHEN SOMEONE EXPERIENCED 1,OOO HP NA, NOT MUCH ELSE COMPARES! I TURN WRENCHES, YOU MY MAN, ARE A MASTER & I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU BUILD ME A STROKER 406 OR GREATER!!! HAD 1 B4 & NEED IT AGAIN! IM BETTING THAT YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB!!!
one of those things you do once and never again. install a part from a well known vendor and assume it's to spec. turns out is warped or has poor clearance. so much easier to double/triple check everything while it's not only all apart, but *clean*. saves so much time on an engine since you don't have to pull the damn thing out and back apart.
My old engine guy told me once that he doesn't want to walk into a restaurant and have people talking bad about him. He said the guys at the mass rebuild shops don't have to worry about talking to to guy that bought it
Ellison. You the man. Surprised you don't have more views. My build is going great thanks to you and all these secondary jobs doing this get more views. Thanks again. If you you wanna see my view let me know and I'll post. Thanks again for your help
Great video Ken, i have been telling people not to bolt on out of the box heads for years. Get a qualified engine machine shop to inspect them first, worth every penny!
this is something no one warned me about when I started my first business. I don't do motors I do landscape. I get people calling about jobs I did not do I also get people calling to get advice on how to do it themselfs haha. i.lovr your videos man. I wish I could switch from landscape to car stuff.
Mhn, No you Don't, If you do not Do exactly what this Guy is saying you will Eat more motors than you can Afford, You and Cut grass to short and it will grow Back when a Motor blows up because of a Bad machined Part The Engine Builder usually eats the Whole thing. This guy is Great. I have also bin building engines all my life but I do Check and double check everything every time. The worst is the Guy that Built his own engine and now it is Seized up or Blown up and he wants you to Fix it But fix it Cheep, Give it back to him, Stay away he will end up blaming you for Something. I wish I had a Landscaping Business, Lololol.
Lol that is one reason I do not try. I have been sucessfull in the few engines I have worked on for myself. I will not do it for others though, if they over heat it or an oil leak starts and they dont adress it, they will blame me. I envy you guys but I also understand the reality is you guys are in a constant fight. lol.
Hi Mr Ellison, Happy Holidays. I’m Mr Zapata from San Fernando, Ca. I enjoyed your video’s and At 59yrs enjoy learning new ways of keeping tuned up with good ways to work on engine’s. I to learned from my dad and old mechanic’s. But, the way you do things are just perfect and easy. Thank you for your time by displaying this step by step video’s. Question.?. How can I make a vacuum machine like your.????.
As a local engine machine shop cant agree more.. I argue all the time with people that what me to do an engine and just slap a set if edelbrock heads on . sure i slap them on AFTER i redo them . i hate to say it edelbrocks look great out of box they made in usa but there tolerances are horrible.. Insane amount of out of round seats, bad valve grinds . guides mostly to tight. I piss alot of customers off when i charge another 150 - 200 bucks to redo do heads that are brand new but i got burned to many times giving in to customers i learned my lesson cheaper to lose job than assume heads are good.. As this guy said all new parts need to be gone through. As in case of edelbrocks never had a set i did NOT have to recut seats and guides lapping does not fix bad tolerances !!
I used sealed power rings & clevite bearings. Send the heads to the machine shop.. mizumo/graphite head gaskets.. followed specs BY THE BOOK... "No issues, runs GREAT!"
Thanks So Much Ken ! I am an amateur compared to you but (like you I'm not trashing anyone period) I learned on a Engine I built for myself several years ago that you just simply can not afford to trust any one or any company when your trying to build a great engine, even more so when you have scraped and saved the money to build a true 800+ horsepower Engine. I bought a name brand set of heads for a 565 BBC I was building for my grudge/index car and out of the box was shocked by the lack of quality for such a well known company. I had to go through and do a valve job on both heads before they would seal properly and it's not the work I minded it was the fact it had to be done in the first place. From then on I use Reher & Morrison Heads or purchase the cylinder head minus components and assemble them myself.....I figure if I'm going to have to fix problems anyway it might as well be my own instead of someone else's. Since that build I have had no problems. Every R&M head I have bought still gets double and triple checked but as of today after who knows how many pairs of heads I have yet to find a problem with a single one!..... Now I'm not saying they are perfect because I might go to the shop and find a leaky valve today but up to now I have had "0" issues with the work they put out....they of course hand assemble every set of heads I have bought from them and they take great pride in the work they put out but accidents do happen and I'm sure stuff slips by once in a while but I have not seen it myself. Keep up the great Videos....your helping guys like me who have small shops as well as who knows how many people make the right choices.
You 100% correct, I rather bring my engine to a good machine shop. Some things can be bought and out of the box does work. Sometimes you have to check the checker.
Thanks Ken for some really righteous advice ! , it's really sad when ya spend yer hard earned dollars only to find out that your purchase is not 100% , pay attention y'all
Don't hold back man .. If they are trying to sabotage you or harass you .. Just cuss them out and hang up .. The real people will stay man .... T⚡B .. 👍
Thank you for making this video. I tell this to buddies of mine all the time and they think " oh its brand new, " I just bought it. I done lots of engine builds and sometimes I have to get another set of bearings or the crankshaft is off specs or something because the so called new parts were not right. I don't know how to get it through their thick skulls that parts are mass produced and the machines they used eventually lose tolerances. I person should never keep using the same torque wrenches because they are supposed to be calibrated after so many uses or months, Bad torque wrenches equals engine failures later on.
We're living in a plug & play world. Guys like you are few and far between. The catch fraze now is "it's all good" Don't know if I should laugh or cry.
Cool video dude. I am a machinist as well by trade, Almost 30 years. But on the right side of your rig holding the head the hose coming off your block was pinched under the leg of your fixt.
I really got it on the valve lash adjustment video! Think you should have to pay for that info! Question:on a aluminum block would the valve lash. With thermolexspantion Be different versus iron block .thanks for your knowledge dude
This is why you must find a trustworthy and reliable mechanic to do this sort of stuff...sad to say that not even at the dealership level do you get this level of quality check
Good. Fabulous! I trust very few individuals but you've already proved yourself to me. We have two projects going (one Mopar; one Ford). We've been considering complete engines; however, I may just purchase the parts and have it custom built... checking and testing every piece that we touch. For the Ford, we might just purchase a new Siamese Eliminator block; 460 Ford (385 series)...bored to the limit and stroked as far as humanly possible, while making certain that it will hold together; we would like to realize as many ci's as possible... maybe 572 ci or more, if someone thinks it's possible, again, without risking a complete disaster engine failure. I am looking for Alan Root heads but so far no luck, so I may end up going with Trick Flow... but only "maybe." I have not given up on the search yet. I did find an entire car with a custom performance engine, and with Alan Root heads but I don't need the entire car. It's far too nice to suggest parting it out... and, I wouldn't trust the engine build anyway; I have no idea who assembled that engine. I would also like to find an Alan Root intake but that might be impossible by now... too many years have passed since the 70s and 80s time period. On the Eliminator site, the Eliminator Premier block is noted as being rated at 2,500 plus horsepower; if that's true, that might be the only block worth considering. The Mopar is another story and this post is already too long. But, that one will likely be some sort of a Hemi, again, pushed to the limit. Obviously, these are expensive projects but when I'm ready, I will contact you; I did find your site so I do have your contact info. Thank you for portraying your detail-oriented mind; in today's world, that's rare.
I would send head back & talk to the pres of the company (no one else). As a business owner I want know whats happening! The LAST thing i need is to see vids like this!
I bought a brand new set of World products S/R Torquers. The pushrod holes were in the wrong location on 1 heard. I had to drill the holes and get guide plates. Then on the other head the valve springs were different than the other head and all the springs cracked. I replaced all the springs and about a year later one of the exhaust valves leaked and it backfired alot. I took those off and slapped some used vortec heads on. Felt like I gained about 30hp. I had the vortec heads drilled to use an old school Chevy manifold. I sold the car. Next time I'm just using a pair of vortec heads.
I hope I have a local builder as dedicated as you are to doing a proper job, getting ready to do a mild 351w build on my bronco, and this basically sold me on NOT doing it myself hahaha
ONE thing is a "parts changer" and the other thing is "BALANCING AND BLUEPRINTING" these are two completely different things and not in line with each other.balancing and blueprinting an engine is pure art and almost doctor level skill.
What’s your guys thoughts on a Mopar reman 5.7 hemi to replace my ram1500 motor? I have a local shop that will do install about 15hours I think he quoted me.
And the 80s hair cut is how you know hes authentic. Too bad this dude isnt near me i got some motors need done
By his accent I’m sure he is from near me in south Baltimore. A lot of people here rock that David Cassidy hairdo.
You should make more videos! You are extremely knowledgeable and seem to be a natural at presenting ideas and concepts on video. Chris
he has a different channel called "Ellison's machine shop, your engine guy!"
Good to see & hear we aren't the only ones!! Because everytime we call a manufacturer with an issue like this they ALWAYS say WOW, we've never had anyone else call with this type of problem!! SMDH!!
You can always tell the real deal when they talk straight with loads of common sense. Old video but I really enjoyed the valve adjustment video you put out.
Ken Ellison is the man, he found the issue with my brand new motor......afr 165 s sbf heads out of the box, valve guides shot, he found it and corrected it thanks Ken
That's a mechanic I want working on my truck, double, triple, quadruple check before he sends it out the door !
I would gladly drive cross country just to have your work on my engine ... thank you for making this video and telling it straight .... fantastic video
Wow. I'm no mechanic, but I was going to have a remanufactured motor installed in an 94' Chevy Silverado. Now I know that I need to shop around and find a shop that does quality engine work instead of cookie cutter mass sales stuff. Fully understand that quality pays off in the long run.
You saved me a lot of time and money. Thanks
Did you end up buying a remanufactured engine for your Chevy? I need to buy one for mine and I've had pretty bad luck with auto parts store rebuilt engines in the past. A brand new one from Chevy isn't really that much more.
I'm afraid to buy a rebuild from an auto parts store anymore because sometimes you damn near have to hire an attorney to get them to honor the warranty on it.
Gm goodwrench is the best man.
What a great demonstration of why some factory cars run better than others. It really applies across the board how something so simple can cause a huge issue and make you chase your tail. Keep up the great work!!!
Thanks for the demonstration! I wish you'd been in the area when I needed an engine built; your integrity shows and I hope your customers appreciate it.
First motor I ever built when I was young, I put in a 10-10 crank & I couldn't even turn it over. I hadn't plasti gauged it!! Figured it must be good, it wasn't. Never made that mistake again. Good job Ken!!!
I just wish I had half of the knowledge you have and a shop like yours to play in there’s not to many people who have the pride in what they do as I have seen with you in you’re videos great job Ken keep making videos for me to watch love the content 👍👍👍
I'm beginning my first (by myself) engine rebuild. I am very grateful for the knowledge you shared. I will be checking everything out of the box. Please do make more videos. Knowledge is power.
good old school machine shops are getting harder to find. Here in Sacramento we are down to 2. one of the shops is down to 2 person shop. Thank you for this video.
Thank you for your time. Means a lot to us one to ten time builders.
Video extremely well done! I hope you make good money sir because you dang well deserve it. Very few mechanics have the experience and passion that you have doing your job sir. I need a 5.3 vortec engine in my 05 Tahoe right now and I'm worried sick about what I'm going to end up with. I don't mind paying good money for quality work but the sad truth is lots of people pay good money and get way less than they paid for. I sure wish you were within driving distance of where I live. I would be honored to be on your waiting list. Much respect for what you do and how you do it sir. You are a dying breed.
im rebuilding a 283 and i have to tell you this video helped me figure out where i was going with the build ..and i thank you so keep them coming
I see what your saying, and I understand. But, myself, im still learning, so it will take me some time to learn some of the stuff you know and are talking about. But, your right , stuff right out of the box sometimes needs to be checked and adjusted or fixed. Your right.and only someone as experienced as you would know most of these issues.
Many years ago you guys built a .060 over 12 1/2 to one 396 for my older brother Carl. It was a beast! It ran strong enough to crack the factory lead joints between the roof and quarter panels.
Great advice ,i was thinking about rebuilding my engine myself because i've always wanted to rebuild a engine but your absolutely correct and i can't afford a learning lesson. i'll send it to my engine rebuild specialist and get a junkyard engine to rebuild on the side
Who the hell would thumbs down this video???? Your videos are great. Your information is spot on. Just used your zreo valve lash adjustment procedure on a 4 bolt 350 today. Runs great no valvetrain clatter whatsoever. Anyone would be wise to watch your videos attentively.
I just want to say wow! Never have I seen or heard anyone explain the how to’s (diy’s) in such a way. I read some of the comments and I agree you should make more videos. I’m the type of guy that loves to work on my own , friends and family’s car and trucks and if it’s something that’s new to me I turn to TH-cam and google so I can get an idea of what I’m getting into. Just to be able to jump right in with knowledge and get the job done right. I’ve watched video after video and I’ve learned a lot of the how to’s along with the do not’s lol but you Sir I can say are one of the greats and great at what you do. So thank you and please make as many video as you possibly can. I have subscribed and turned on my notifications for any and all future videos again thank you and god bless
thanks ken I am always thankful when someone is willing to share from their experience to help the rest of us
The realist talk ive ever heard. Thank you for helping people understand the very frequent inconsistencies with aftermarket parts.
Hey Thank you for loving what you do. I wish there were more people like you to go around. Excellent video
I'm a retired auto mechanic. And I can't agree more. My saying for years has been "just because it new and in a box doesn't mean it's not junk. I've pissed of a lot of parts people in my time.
Definitely sometimes you have to most parts people like autozone dont know jack shit about automotive there just there to sell parts!
What this video shows is that at 4am of the 3rd day. You finally check the heads!You can’t trust anyone at face value or bolt on ready.
Great video Ken.I wish I had the knowledge you possess but I'm getting better because of guys like you.Thank you for your time,I appreciate it.Keep up the good work.Reggo
When I did my apprenticeship for automotive the journeyman I worked under would say age is no guarantee of quality and I've always remembered that 16 yrs later
A couple decades ago I tried to make it work as an auto mechanic. I didn't have formal training I was only a shade tree. I was at a big-box muffler shop and a guy who was my age now in his 50s was just the most I don't give a s*** about my job mechanic I ever worked at next to. He a car roll out the door with only three lug nuts on the wheel because the fourth studs stripped.
In the fall of 2020 to a Toyota dealership quoted me 6 hours of Labor at $150 an hour just to do a rear motor mount bushing replacement.
It is not a fun job for a guy working out of his garage and no lift and no air tools, look to take the wheel off and to undo the three bolts of the ball joint ( on many Toyotas you don't have to take the ball out of the socket because there's an offset piece of Steel were three bolts go through to fasten it to the control arm), lift the car up, tight space but undo the carrier bearing which is likely seized to the half shaft and then finally undo the motor mount Bolts from the engine block and the body.
Thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedule to post this.
Thank you very much for all your advise in the videos you post! I take everything you say to heart and will remember all the knowledge you share so I can share with my kids!
where ru located?
ALL MY RESPECT TO YOU KEN YOU ARE THE MAIN MAN GOD BLESS
Thanks Ken. Your knowledge is invaluable to most of us. I am on the process of building my fifteenth engine with new Dart heads and have checked the decks and valves. I checked the valves by using alcohol bet have everything Needed to build the vacuum system you use. I use a vacuum gauge to tune engines. Man you da Man!
YOU ARE THE MAN!!! I ENJOY/LOVE AUTOMOTIVE EVERYTHING! THE THRILL OF HP NEVER LEAVES YA!!! WHEN SOMEONE EXPERIENCED 1,OOO HP NA, NOT MUCH ELSE COMPARES! I TURN WRENCHES, YOU MY MAN, ARE A MASTER & I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU BUILD ME A STROKER 406 OR GREATER!!! HAD 1 B4 & NEED IT AGAIN! IM BETTING THAT YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB!!!
one of those things you do once and never again. install a part from a well known vendor and assume it's to spec. turns out is warped or has poor clearance. so much easier to double/triple check everything while it's not only all apart, but *clean*. saves so much time on an engine since you don't have to pull the damn thing out and back apart.
Awesome and he is definitely a master mechanic video is detail and tutorial im still an apprentice learning how to rebuild motors!
Great video truthful informative. Share more videos your observation has more value than most. Few mechanics have your authority.
Nice, informative language, from someone who Really knows what they are doing.
Great lecture! Useful advice
Fastinating vacuum valve seal tester.
Wow , Awesome again. Quality work, super hard to find now days.
My old engine guy told me once that he doesn't want to walk into a restaurant and have people talking bad about him. He said the guys at the mass rebuild shops don't have to worry about talking to to guy that bought it
I learned a lot from this video. Thanks for taking the time to make and post it.
Ellison. You the man. Surprised you don't have more views. My build is going great thanks to you and all these secondary jobs doing this get more views. Thanks again. If you you wanna see my view let me know and I'll post. Thanks again for your help
This is the kind of guy I imagined was smoking a cigarette in a f1 garage in the 1980’s while working on the engine! What a legend!
You need to make more educational video's. You have a lot of great experience and knowledge.
Great video Ken, i have been telling people not to bolt on out of the box heads for years. Get a qualified engine machine shop to inspect them first, worth every penny!
Awesome vids man….great stuff👨🏽🔧🤙🏽
Words of wisdom! Great video and very informative too!
Man I'm sure glad that you made this video. Thanks Ken
this is something no one warned me about when I started my first business. I don't do motors I do landscape. I get people calling about jobs I did not do I also get people calling to get advice on how to do it themselfs haha. i.lovr your videos man. I wish I could switch from landscape to car stuff.
Mhn, No you Don't, If you do not Do exactly what this Guy is saying you will Eat more motors than you can Afford, You and Cut grass to short and it will grow Back when a Motor blows up because of a Bad machined Part The Engine Builder usually eats the Whole thing. This guy is Great. I have also bin building engines all my life but I do Check and double check everything every time. The worst is the Guy that Built his own engine and now it is Seized up or Blown up and he wants you to Fix it But fix it Cheep, Give it back to him, Stay away he will end up blaming you for Something. I wish I had a Landscaping Business, Lololol.
Lol that is one reason I do not try. I have been sucessfull in the few engines I have worked on for myself. I will not do it for others though, if they over heat it or an oil leak starts and they dont adress it, they will blame me. I envy you guys but I also understand the reality is you guys are in a constant fight. lol.
Appreciate your commitment to your work. Videos are very helpful to DIY's like me.
Hi Mr Ellison, Happy Holidays.
I’m Mr Zapata from San Fernando, Ca. I enjoyed your video’s and At 59yrs enjoy learning new ways of keeping tuned up with good ways to work on engine’s. I to learned from my dad and old mechanic’s.
But, the way you do things are just perfect and easy. Thank you for your time by displaying this step by step video’s. Question.?. How can I make a vacuum machine like your.????.
Thanks for all your good advice experience speaks volume
As a local engine machine shop cant agree more.. I argue all the time with people that what me to do an engine and just slap a set if edelbrock heads on . sure i slap them on AFTER i redo them . i hate to say it edelbrocks look great out of box they made in usa but there tolerances are horrible.. Insane amount of out of round seats, bad valve grinds . guides mostly to tight. I piss alot of customers off when i charge another 150 - 200 bucks to redo do heads that are brand new but i got burned to many times giving in to customers i learned my lesson cheaper to lose job than assume heads are good.. As this guy said all new parts need to be gone through. As in case of edelbrocks never had a set i did NOT have to recut seats and guides lapping does not fix bad tolerances !!
Very well said! Thank you for taking the time to make that point.
I used sealed power rings & clevite bearings. Send the heads to the machine shop.. mizumo/graphite head gaskets.. followed specs BY THE BOOK... "No issues, runs GREAT!"
Thanks So Much Ken !
I am an amateur compared to you but (like you I'm not trashing anyone period) I learned on a Engine I built for myself several years ago that you just simply can not afford to trust any one or any company when your trying to build a great engine, even more so when you have scraped and saved the money to build a true 800+ horsepower Engine. I bought a name brand set of heads for a 565 BBC I was building for my grudge/index car and out of the box was shocked by the lack of quality for such a well known company. I had to go through and do a valve job on both heads before they would seal properly and it's not the work I minded it was the fact it had to be done in the first place. From then on I use Reher & Morrison Heads or purchase the cylinder head minus components and assemble them myself.....I figure if I'm going to have to fix problems anyway it might as well be my own instead of someone else's. Since that build I have had no problems. Every R&M head I have bought still gets double and triple checked but as of today after who knows how many pairs of heads I have yet to find a problem with a single one!..... Now I'm not saying they are perfect because I might go to the shop and find a leaky valve today but up to now I have had "0" issues with the work they put out....they of course hand assemble every set of heads I have bought from them and they take great pride in the work they put out but accidents do happen and I'm sure stuff slips by once in a while but I have not seen it myself.
Keep up the great Videos....your helping guys like me who have small shops as well as who knows how many people make the right choices.
I like your attitude. Quality control 👌
You 100% correct, I rather bring my engine to a good machine shop. Some things can be bought and out of the box does work. Sometimes you have to check the checker.
If I'm paying for a motor, I want to see the inside of it myself and look the man building it in the eye.
I feel like sending my engine to him 👍🏻
Thanks Ken for some really righteous advice ! , it's really sad when ya spend yer hard earned dollars only to find out that your purchase is not 100% , pay attention y'all
Don't hold back man .. If they are trying to sabotage you or harass you .. Just cuss them out and hang up .. The real people will stay man .... T⚡B .. 👍
Thank you for making this video. I tell this to buddies of mine all the time and they think " oh its brand new, " I just bought it. I done lots of engine builds and sometimes I have to get another set of bearings or the crankshaft is off specs or something because the so called new parts were not right. I don't know how to get it through their thick skulls that parts are mass produced and the machines they used eventually lose tolerances. I person should never keep using the same torque wrenches because they are supposed to be calibrated after so many uses or months, Bad torque wrenches equals engine failures later on.
So glad I found your site I have got bad $ 2000.00 head's valves would not seal
We're living in a plug & play world. Guys like you are few and far between. The catch fraze now is "it's all good" Don't know if I should laugh or cry.
This is unfortunately a lost art. True engine guys like this are the real deal. Listen up.
Ken Ellison. We want more!!!!!
Cool video dude. I am a machinist as well by trade, Almost 30 years.
But on the right side of your rig holding the head the hose coming off your block was pinched under the leg of your fixt.
Thank you for your time and expertise.
this guy is telling the truth, i've lived it!!!
Wanted to tell you thank you for this helpful video!! I appreciate it!!
Great video. Proof that you cannot make assumptions. The best assumption = something is probably wrong, so lets check everything!!
Valve lapping has never been more important
I really got it on the valve lash adjustment video! Think you should have to pay for that info! Question:on a aluminum block would the valve lash. With thermolexspantion Be different versus iron block .thanks for your knowledge dude
This is why you must find a trustworthy and reliable mechanic to do this sort of stuff...sad to say that not even at the dealership level do you get this level of quality check
I just subscribed. Second video i watched and you have alot of good information
Damn Ellison, you GOTTA be from Baltimore!! I know that accent anywhere!
Thanks great video. Can you do a video on break in procedure?
Your right on the mark bud..
Good. Fabulous!
I trust very few individuals but you've already proved yourself to me.
We have two projects going (one Mopar; one Ford). We've been considering complete engines; however, I may just purchase the parts and have it custom built... checking and testing every piece that we touch.
For the Ford, we might just purchase a new Siamese Eliminator block; 460 Ford (385 series)...bored to the limit and stroked as far as humanly possible, while making certain that it will hold together; we would like to realize as many ci's as possible... maybe 572 ci or more, if someone thinks it's possible, again, without risking a complete disaster engine failure. I am looking for Alan Root heads but so far no luck, so I may end up going with Trick Flow... but only "maybe." I have not given up on the search yet. I did find an entire car with a custom performance engine, and with Alan Root heads but I don't need the entire car. It's far too nice to suggest parting it out... and, I wouldn't trust the engine build anyway; I have no idea who assembled that engine.
I would also like to find an Alan Root intake but that might be impossible by now... too many years have passed since the 70s and 80s time period.
On the Eliminator site, the Eliminator Premier block is noted as being rated at 2,500 plus horsepower; if that's true, that might be the only block worth considering.
The Mopar is another story and this post is already too long. But, that one will likely be some sort of a Hemi, again, pushed to the limit.
Obviously, these are expensive projects but when I'm ready, I will contact you; I did find your site so I do have your contact info.
Thank you for portraying your detail-oriented mind; in today's world, that's rare.
THANKS for your time,.
Good to know thank you
Thanks Ellison well said
I rebuilt my 96 4.3 and she now has 644 miles & needs a new rearend.
I would send head back & talk to the pres of the company (no one else). As a business owner I want know whats happening! The LAST thing i need is to see vids like this!
I bought a brand new set of World products S/R Torquers. The pushrod holes were in the wrong location on 1 heard. I had to drill the holes and get guide plates. Then on the other head the valve springs were different than the other head and all the springs cracked. I replaced all the springs and about a year later one of the exhaust valves leaked and it backfired alot. I took those off and slapped some used vortec heads on. Felt like I gained about 30hp. I had the vortec heads drilled to use an old school Chevy manifold. I sold the car. Next time I'm just using a pair of vortec heads.
I hope I have a local builder as dedicated as you are to doing a proper job, getting ready to do a mild 351w build on my bronco, and this basically sold me on NOT doing it myself hahaha
Omg....I have 4.3 by chevy marine motor wanted rebuilt , but was gonna give a call but your in MD and I'm in ND
Thank you for the wisdom. 👍
What was causing the leaks and what was the fix? I'm thinking the valve lapping wasn't done or done bad, or were the valves bent or both?
Some of the guys working at the warehouses are probably coming from a staffing agency with less than 6 months experience
ONE thing is a "parts changer" and the other thing is "BALANCING AND BLUEPRINTING"
these are two completely different things and not in line with each other.balancing and
blueprinting an engine is pure art and almost doctor level skill.
Oh common blue printing and balancing isn't dr stuff. You weigh the parts , connecting rods, pistons etc and make them the same.
Love it! Make more videos 🇺🇸💪🏻💪🏻
Thank you very much .
You have been very helpful
Peace be with you
I which I can find a mechanic like you in NJ since I am maybe looking for a new engine for my 2001 Ford Mustang GT Bullitt.
I am man enough to admit I am nit ready to tackle a rebuild on my own. I am just not confident enough yet for many of the reasons you stated.
6:08 THANK YOU.
Where should I go to get an '01 7.3 powerstroke ?
Crate engine or have MY engine rebuilt ?
Thanks for the video, very much appreciated sir!
What’s your guys thoughts on a Mopar reman 5.7 hemi to replace my ram1500 motor? I have a local shop that will do install about 15hours I think he quoted me.