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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 196
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CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
The guy who installed my engine told me straight up that crate engines are a pile of crap.
The guy who re-gased the air con told me the blocks are full of sand and porous. Infact since I installed my crate engine it is a non stop procession of doomsday experts saying it is only a mater of time before something lets go. The story is they are assembled by guys who used to be farmers 2 days before they started at the crate engine factory using a hammer and a 8 inch adjustable wrench.Blocks are cast in hand dug sand molds and all nuts and bolts are tightened by hand to no particular torque setting including mains and big end caps .Oil pumps are always finger tight and many key components are just left in the sump because most of the workers are stoned on cheap weed or just can’t be bothered at the end of a 18 hour day……….Etc Etc Many of the people who warn me of my stupidity are in the trade some make a living building motors.It has come as a bit of a shock to me that so many people and many whom should know better seemed convinced crate engines are only good 50% of the time. How many here have had a trouble free crate motor ? Has anyone who bought a crate engine actually had a major problem.(Not just heard about it or “a buddy told me” ) |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: washington
Posts: 4,178
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
Well lets see. When's the last time anybody's engine died due to dune? (Sand) or come loose? I'm sure most of these engines are either not broke in proper or are beat on (not race engines guys..) several trucks up here have high an low mileage gm crate 350s.
Also a lot of crate engines are reconditioned blocks. They stopped the sbc in 98. Now casting flash off a new engine is very likely a possibility and in fact the 85 iron engine I'm toying with right now has areas that you can knock off. Them coming loose? Well it's held since 85. The heads and cam valley are where this most prevalent. Even if it comes off the damage is done to the oil pump and then cought in the filter. Can't say these are high precision engines. Even engine mags found the deck heights to be uneven causing compression lower than advertised in cylinders front to back. But that won't kill an engine. Posted via Mobile Device
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377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Louisville,Ky
Posts: 5,811
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
It sounds like someones pulling your leg big time.I have had a world castings crate engine in my mustang 4 years of hard driving still runs prefect.My grandpa's 83 el camino got a gm 350 in 94 and ran tell 3 years ago when it was wrecked.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 196
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
A lot of people in on that leg pull over here in Australia.That's the general opinion here these guy's really believe crate motors are rubbish and this is coming from mechanics and engine builders.
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#5 |
78K & 79C Jimmys
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA
Posts: 7,901
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
I'd bet they make more money rebuilding saying that
granted it may have happened a few times with 1000's of blocks it sure an't 50%
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John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 |
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#6 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
I put in many crate engines as a heavy line mechanic at a Chevy dealership. Then in my next job I maintained a fleet of 800 plus GM chassis mail trucks. We put crate engines in them, generally always had one truck in the shop getting an engine on any given day.
Over those 11 years, I either put in or witnessed putting in several hundred crate engines. There were less than 5 that had issues right out of the box. Three that I can remember for sure. Posted via Mobile Device |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,188
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
If by crate engines you mean engines built in the same factory with the same people and to the same specifications as the new vehicle engines, then why would those engines perform any differently from new vehicle engines?
I am not a fan of rebuilt engines, especially those rebuilt by local mechanics. I have owned a few rebuilt engines that never performed as well as a new factory engine. Just my experience. |
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: sparta tennessee
Posts: 345
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
I had a independant garage for 23 years Installed GM crate engines all that time and not one failure I think your facts are distorted
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1946 car hauler 1948 surburban 1937 chevy sedan 1940 olds sedan (project) 1967 ss396 chevelle 1999 dually crewcab(24000 miles) |
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
Quote:
K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
Quote:
Ozkiwi - there is video footage of people building their own engines within the GM shops for thier own Corvette or high performance build. Rick Henderson did one, and I think Mark Ruess also. Do a search so you can find this type of video; you will find that the GM crate engines are built using the same processes and to the same specifications (or tighter) than the regular production engines. K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 196
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
Quote:
The motor I got has no issues and for the money is a very strong performer.Local rebuild was almost double the price. |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 196
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
The story is they are assembled by guys who used to be farmers 2 days before they started at the crate engine factory using a hammer and a 8 inch adjustable wrench.Blocks are cast in hand dug sand molds and all nuts and bolts are tightened by hand to no particular torque setting including mains and big end caps .Oil pumps are always finger tight and many key components are just left in the sump because most of the workers are stoned on cheap weed or just can’t be bothered at the end of a 18 hour day……….Etc Etc
This part is a just me summing up all the stupid **** I have heard from different people and putting it into a ridiculous scenario. |
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#13 |
Robert Olson Transport
![]() Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: recent transplant to NC USA
Posts: 20,287
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
I have bought two Jegs crate motors and have yet to have any problems I have friends who have bought them and no one has had any trouble As long as you install them correctly and get oil pressure before you start em they are normally just fine
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Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!! |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,957
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
Don't buy into what you are told. Yes I am sure there has been some bad engines but that has to be a very low percent. Live by your own experience with your engine. If you seek the bad in it you will surely find it. If you buy into it then you will start nit picking all the little things that you think you hear in the engine and will more than likely be nothing but your imagination.
You might also second guess who works on your truck if they are being negative about it. Their negativity could bring on bad workmanship as well. JMO. Good Luck!
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Roy 85 Short Bed Silverado- Work in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=564818 1987 R10 shortie |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Granville NY
Posts: 241
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
A good friend of my dad blew up his mud truck several years ago, and put a crate motor in the truck for cheap, and it lasted him quite a while. trust me, that guy knew how to beat a truck...
Posted via Mobile Device
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Jeff Shaw 2003 Chevy 2500HD LB7 Duramax ![]() |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Weare,NH
Posts: 1,592
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
Well, like motornut said the people telling you these stories are the guys losing business to crate engine sales, of course they are going to tell customers that crate engines are junk and they can build you a way better engine for the same money.
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#17 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wentworth, NH
Posts: 4,950
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
You can't build an engine for the same price as a GM crate. I've never heard any problems with crates in my buddies rigs.
Rebuilds??? I have plenty of horror stories.
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1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials...
And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful. |
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#18 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Freedom Pa.
Posts: 1,335
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
Quote:
Here is my Good-wrench 350 , runs great couldn't be happier! Desert |
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#19 |
The One And Only !!!
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hole in the woods Florida
Posts: 4,567
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
My GM crate 502 was installed the day the truck rolled off the dealer's lot 16 years ago, It's got 68,000 trouble free miles on it now. I believe all the hate is because these other guys can't afford a crate engine......
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93 Jeep XJ 88 Buick La Sabra Toys; 88 TA-GTA in the works.... 97 GMC Ext. Cab 502 Crate 5 Spd......Sucks Gas But Haulz Azz ! ![]() The primary function of an Engineer is to make it difficult for the Fabricator and impossible for the Mechanic. "Why go out preserved when you can go out beat up, worn out, sliding in sideways screaming, Holy Sh!t What A Ride" !!!
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: washington
Posts: 4,178
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
I wonder just wonder if ozkowi might be getting a half truth?
Seriously though. Does Australia have thier own division of gm that supply's crate motors? I can see them being built there instead of shipping them over Posted via Mobile Device
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377 sbc thumpr cam autogear m23 muncie 3:73 Detroit trutrac 3''spintech prostreet mufflers xpipe 1 3/4 headers build thread !http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=577217 Iroc gauge threadhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=554511 |
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#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
Quote:
K
__________________
Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#22 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Posts: 863
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
Quote:
Check the casting number on the block. If its any of these, 10036033 10066036 10066038 And it says this "Hecho en Mexico" These are Goodwrench and Target Master crate engines sold by GM and are total garbage. They are all 2 piece RMS and were made as late as 1994 i think. They may last 100,000 miles. Mine did, but everything in it was junk.. These are throw away engines. None of the parts including the block was worth reusing
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Brooklyn Park MN
Posts: 44
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
Like a few have said before. the people telling you this have it out for crate engines. They can't compete with the price. They also believe crate engines are putting a lot of mom and pop engines and machine shops out of business.
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: edgartown mass
Posts: 852
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
i have 2 crate 350 from a gm dealer. oneis in my c20 and i have beat the crap out of it for 6 striagt years and 65,000 miles and the only problem with it is a bad lifter after trying synthic oil. the other is in my 78 monte and was first in my wrecker. one of the best runners i have.
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1986 c20 "the hillbilly" 350 sm465 3.42gears 21mpg at 70mph 1985 k30 "the ice cream truck from hell" no rust az truck 197-8??? c30 "ramp truck" 454 1978 monte carlo 350 350th with 2.73 gears. no rust. sc car |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: melbourne australia
Posts: 196
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Re: CRATE HATE. Crate engines are rubbish.50% failure rate is normal.
Before I bought the motor I checked on here and another chevy truck site and decided on what I read to get a crate engine.Not a lot of negative feedback so was pretty confident they are a good deal.That's why I was so surprized at all the over the top horror stories here.
Reading the feed back in this thread I have decided it is a case of local engine builders losing work to imported crate engines especially lately with the Australian dollar being on par with USD the local importer is selling 100s of motors. I am not mechanically paranoid just don't like people talking ****. I paid $2900 for a brand new 330hp engine with a roller cam and vortec heads delivered to my door I was quoted $4500 to rebuild a second hand motor to around 350 hp.(My original motor was a 305) I also bought ceramic headers a elderbrock performer inlet manifold a champion radiator with twin fans which including the motor came to $4200. |
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