350 rebuilds on ebay

[70-stepside]

Hey guys. I am looking at just picking up a complete 350 for my truck off ebay. I found one that looks and sounds great. 350, 330hp, done by fivestar (I believe), they have 15 plus pages of postive feedback on their engines. Anyone know anything of these, or ever purchase a motor on ebay. Saw the year one thread, they are another resource for sure.

Watha think?

[70k52wd]

Post the link for the engine your looking at. You may have better response.

[70-stepside]

Great idea. Here is one of them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVY...mZ180387427266

[Tynee]

I was considering the same options a while back, it seems that there are deals to be had on engines on ebay from time to time. One reservation I had was that the feedback says nothing about the long-term reliability of the engine. It jsut means that it fired up when it reached the buyer. You might try googling the name of the shop who built and/or is selling it to see if they have good reputation elsewhere. Just my $.02...

[kernalklink]

how much is shipping on for an engine

['72customdeluxe]

It says if you use the buy it now button there is free shipping. Buy it now is 1995$

[kernalklink]

that is cheap..... summit wants 4k for that much power -

[Skirkpat]

Originally Posted by kernalklink

that is cheap..... summit wants 4k for that much power -

this is the hot rod equation... fast,cheap or reliable... you can only have two at once.

330 horse is not a radical build, but I would be skeptical of someone that can sell a long block for 1/2 what everyone else could? Good luck. and remember...buyer beware.

[kernalklink]

Originally Posted by Skirkpat

330 horse is not a radical build

thats what i thought - summit also sells i think a 290hp for about 2k and i think i would put my money there instead... but thats just me upgrades can always be made for more power but the base has to be solid...

['72customdeluxe]

You can get a Year One roller cam Vortec headed 350 for 3k. Dyno proven 400+hp and torque and it's also broken in before you get it. Blueprint engines makes a similar flat tappet vortec motor that makes like 380hp for around 2800 I think.

[mclairmo]

What if your Ebay engine throws a rod in 5 months. Will you be able to ship it back to the Ebay seller? Will you want to? Will he honor the warranty? What if he refuses? Are you going to sue him in his state or yours? I would stick with a local builder that you can visit with and talk to. You can pick up your engine from him in person and return it to him if it blows. You can sue him right where you are or take a bat to his knees.

[70-stepside]

All valid points and thanks! I have been weighing all of those points while I look. What I do see is these guys have like 20 years of doing this, and do thousands (that's why they can do them cheap) they have the set ups and do them over and over. I am a mfg engineer so I understand that. I read all 15 pages of replies all were positve and a few did talk about how it ran. I am going to research how long they have been on ebay for that may help.

Any other info guys keep feeding me. I appreciate it.

['72customdeluxe]

Originally Posted by mclairmo

What if your Ebay engine throws a rod in 5 months. Will you be able to ship it back to the Ebay seller? Will you want to? Will he honor the warranty? What if he refuses? Are you going to sue him in his state or yours? I would stick with a local builder that you can visit with and talk to. You can pick up your engine from him in person and return it to him if it blows. You can sue him right where you are or take a bat to his knees.

Just because it's cheap doesn't always mean it's crap. There are no big items on that motor that cost alot, just a cammed stock head 350. 2k isn't that cheap for a mostly stock motor. Some good parts went into the bottom end. Clevite 77's, Melling oil pump, hypereutectic pistons. I think it would last awhile

[mclairmo]

Did not mean to say it's crap even though most "cheap" engines probably are crap. You get what you pay for. Notwithstanding the above, you are correct that the parts in this engine are not expensive. The difference is not necessarily in the parts, but in the builder and his machining/assembly skills. However, even the best builders will have some warranty returns and how easy it is for the buyer to return is a factor to consider when purchasing. I would hate to have ship an engine back to the builder. It's easier to just throw it into the back of the truck and drive it over or have them come pick it up. Also, I think a local builder is more willing to please a local customer since he would want to maintain good word of mouth in the local area.

[gerfunken]

So, a bit of quick research on these guys. They are located in Glendale, AZ (in town for me.) They are not a member of the BBB, but they do have a history within the BBB's website (8 issues, all resolved). Outside of ebay, they have a normal website with additional info:

BBB report:
http://www.bbb.org/central-northern-...e-az-34000798/

Location:
6817 N 56th Ave # B
Glendale, AZ 85301-3345
(623) 939-0345‎
http://www.fivestarengines.com

[special-K]

Why not get a motor built locally?Don`t forget shipping.I got one built with that kind of power for $1,300 and I could stop in and talk to the guy.

['72customdeluxe]

You don't necesarily need a motor "built" to have that much power as long as the one you got isn't worn out. Ever heard of the Chevy High Performance goodwrench quest build? With heads that flow worse than my (stock smog) 882's that come that motor, and performer (not rpm) manifold, some 1 5/8 headersxe268 cam, and 8.4:1 compression it made 336 horsepower and 377 lb/ft torque. I plan on going a route like that since my short block's good. Upgrade to some patriot vortecs or such down the road...