engine rebuilders in north orange county, california

Hello All,

I need to rebuild the engine in my '65 F-250, and I don't have the time to replace the long block myself.  I live in Fullerton, CA, or north Orange County.  I would like to know if any of you have had positive experience with an engine rebuilder in this general area.  I have had some bad experiences with searching through the Recycler in the past, and I am hoping some of you might have a good lead for me.

Thanks for your time,

Tom  

there are a lot of engine rebuilders and rebuilt engine installers...     the thing is they are all licensed by the state of california BAR... bureau of auto repair...   they have online lists of how many complaints each shop has...  check that list before taking you truck in...  they also if they are going to work on your truck.. write a complete estimate...  and have to get your written approval on the price before they can exceed the estimated and approved price..  don't just sign a blank estimate or work order...

there are several shops in the santa fe springs area... that do performance work.. and also a lot of stock work...  it also depends on which motor you have in that truck..    272/292/312 or a 332/352FE...   if you have a FE motor.. you might be better off with a later motor(75-76, 360FE) or at least plan on all new valves and hardened seats... it all depends on what you have...

one last thing.. when i worked in an engine rebuilding shop;.... the shop had one FE that kept coming back for excessive oil consumption...  400 miles to the quart...   all i ever saw was the motor on the work bench...   3 free rebuilds later... the owner brought the truck in ... i looked at it... and ask when the problem started..   turns out after he did a major tune up.. carb overhaul... replaced the spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor and pcv valve...  turns out the pcv valve had a giant opening .. the owner replaced it with a FORD/Motorcraft unit... bought at the dealership..   problem fixed...

you should also walk around the shop... if there are old parts laying  everywhere... stuff laying on the ground..  you might not want to have your engine installed there...

best of luck out there...

you should plan ahead...   new spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor, water pump, belts,,, upper and lower hoses, heater hoses,,,   carb mounting gaskets.. as they don't come in most rebuilder kits.. motor mounts... so many little things that add up to make a decent rebuild and installation...