[Mastermike]

Anyone have recommendations on an engine builder?

[ponyakr]

Welcome to PY forum !


Depends on the brand of engine & the area of the country you're in.

If you want a Pontiac engine. Len Williams sells the cheapest good quality engines that I'm aware of. But, there are several Pontiac engine builders who post on this forum.

http://lenwilliamsautomachine.com/400_Long_Block.html

http://lenwilliamsautomachine.com/455_Long_Block.html

The 2 big name Pontiac builders are Butler & KRE.

http://butlerperformance.com/

http://www.krepower.com/

Tell us where you live, & maybe somebody here can recommend a builder in your area.

[Mastermike]

Thanks Ponyakr. I want a Pontiac 455 engine built and I will ship anywhere in the USA. I have checked out Butler and Kauffman and they want $10 to $12 thousand for their motors. I just don't have that kinda money. I will check out lenwilliamsautomachine.com. Anyone have dealings with DCI?

[ponyakr]

I have not run across any well known Pontiac engine builders who will build an engine as cheap as Len Williams. But, I have never heard anything bad about his engines.

The only complaints I've heard is that he is a little slow, and requires some up-front payment.

You may wanna check with him about him furnishing the block. It will probably cost well over $100 to ship yours--maybe $200, or more. So, you may come out better buying a block from him, and selling yours.

His 400 block stroker short block is only $3500, with his block. He can probably add a forged crank, for about $400 more, and you'd have a strong bottom end.

http://lenwilliamsautomachine.com/455_Short_Block.html

The next cheapest stroker short block price I've seen is from Paul Sandoval--@ $3995. But his complete engine prices are high.

http://www.sandovalperformance.com/engines

An Ebay seller has stroker crate engines for $6500 + shipping. Don't know anything about 'em.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/455-Pontiac-...pV6n-C&vxp=mtr

"...Anyone have dealings with DCI?..."

He's a top name engine builder. But, I don't think you'll find his prices any better than the prices you mentioned.

If price is your main concern, I don't think you'll beat Len, for a decent Pontiac engine.

If any of the engine builders here think different, they can post that info.

[mviker]

Originally Posted by Mastermike

Thanks Ponyakr. I want a Pontiac 455 engine built and I will ship anywhere in the USA. I have checked out Butler and Kauffman and they want $10 to $12 thousand for their motors. I just don't have that kinda money. I will check out lenwilliamsautomachine.com. Anyone have dealings with DCI?

Not sure where you're located, but if in or near Virginia, Jim Lehart at Central Virginia Machine Services is someone worth checking into. He built my engine and quite a few others. Knows his stuff!

http://centralvirginiamachine.com/

He's on this site. I think his name here is Mr. P-Body

Good luck!

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by mviker

Not sure where you're located, but if in or near Virginia, Jim Lehart at Central Virginia Machine Services is someone worth checking into. He built my engine and quite a few others. Knows his stuff!

http://centralvirginiamachine.com/

He's on this site. I think his name here is Mr. P-Body

Good luck!

This is not my personal opinion, but is a thread from another Pontiac forum.

http://www.gtoforum.com/f170/central...review-106018/

[mviker]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

This is not my personal opinion, but is a thread from another Pontiac forum.

http://www.gtoforum.com/f170/central...review-106018/

Wow... I could not have had a better experience with Jim. He did a killer job building out my 62's 389 into a stroker 421. I've also had a couple friends use him for their engines as well with great results. Not sure what to say here. My engine was done in 2007. Took about 6 months and I have been driving ever since. Over thirty thousand miles and the engine still rocks every bit as good as the day he built it. He was highly recommended to me by others here for his Pontiac expertise. I'm left wondering if there may be more to the story...

[Lee]

Originally Posted by Mastermike

Anyone have recommendations on an engine builder?

Give us an idea where you live. There are local shops and engine builders around the country that do great work, but don't typically ship - we may be able to direct you to one, if we know where you are!

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by mviker

Wow... I could not have had a better experience with Jim. He did a killer job building out my 62's 389 into a stroker 421. I've also had a couple friends use him for their engines as well with great results. Not sure what to say here. My engine was done in 2007. Took about 6 months and I have been driving ever since. Over thirty thousand miles and the engine still rocks every bit as good as the day he built it. He was highly recommended to me by others here for his Pontiac expertise. I'm left wondering if there may be more to the story...

http://psp.aquacomp.net/topic.asp?TO...archTerms=cvms

[David Jones]

I don't think Jim, at CVMS, is in business any more?

[Greg Reid]

The CVMS web site is still up. I do recall him having a good rep when he was active over here.
Any objections to letting us know where you are Mastermike?

[mviker]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

http://psp.aquacomp.net/topic.asp?TO...archTerms=cvms

Well dang.... Only thing I can say is Jim wouldn't intentionally take anyone to the cleaners. Definitely sounds like his health and perhaps people helping run the shop played a role. It saddens me to hear about this, especially when I'm sure both Jim and the mad customer are stand up people.

[sixty8ragtop]

John Kaeserman at Express Engimes in Deland Florida is my choice for quality Pontiac engine work in Florida. He built the 421 HO in my 1965 2+2. John is the "real deal", knows Pontiac engines and is honest and trustworthy. John's expertise comes at a price, but in my opinion is worth every penny. If you are serious about your Pontiac build, he will work with you to go from bone stock to exotic. John has a complete machine shop and dyno on site. FYI: John is in high demand, so give him a call to discuss your build, turn-around schedule and shipping options. 1355 Saratoga Street, Unit A, Deland, FL 32724 (386) 734-9302. http://www.expressenginesusa.com/index.php

[ponyakr]

Originally Posted by mviker

Well dang.... Only thing I can say is Jim wouldn't intentionally take anyone to the cleaners. Definitely sounds like his health and perhaps people helping run the shop played a role. It saddens me to hear about this, especially when I'm sure both Jim and the mad customer are stand up people.

I never did any business with him, tho I did recommend him a time or 2, because of the good things I'd read about his work.

I do remember that he loved the CC XE series cams, and recommended them for most Pontiac engines. He also bad mouthed the 041 cam & Rhoads lifters every chance he got. I remember reading a rather heated exchange between him & Cliff Ruggles, about this subject.

That's all I'll say about it. Everyone can make their own decisions & spend their $$ any way they choose.

[63 Pontiac]

Jim built 3 engines for me including a Pontiac 389, Ford 400 and Chevy 235 and I have no complaints whatsoever.