Engine builders/prices around West mids

[Steve A]

I am looking to get a 1300gt engine rebuilt for my mk1 (the gearbox has been just done) which i will be putting in my mk1. I would be looking to drop the engine off (along with the rebuilt box) have it rebored, new pistons, crank reground if needed new cam etc. and head rebuilt (11 stud). All painted up and assembled ready for me to collect. Looking for around 85bhp so nothing to mad as we will be driving to le-mans in June. What sort of price should i be looking to pay? Anyone got any recomendations? regards Steve

[mk1]

Don't know about price as the only engine I paid to have built by MED was a disaster.

If you are in the midlands there is only one place I'd think about going and that's Southam Mini & Metro Centre, Simon Naylor does all their machining and is a top bloke. Never heard anything bad about them at all.

[Mike]

Steve,

MED make some nice components but my experience of their attention to detail in engine building was a complete disaster that left me well out of pocket, like Mark and several others I could mention.

Good luck.

Mike

[ace01]

Don't know about price as the only engine I paid to have built by MED was a disaster.

If you are in the midlands there is only one place I'd think about going and that's Southam Mini & Metro Centre, Simon Naylor does all their machining and is a top bloke. Never heard anything bad about them at all.

I would also support Southam. Did a very good job in a VERY short space of time. Top blokes.

[mk1rally]

Could be a trek but I can reccomend Jim Brindle at Race, near chorley.

He built me a lovely engine and 3 seasons on, it still as lovely. He uses some old boy near him for the balancing and he don't half do a good job. It's like a sewing machine.

For the sake of a few hours to drop off and pick up, it's worth it.

[Steve A]

Anybody used Rob Walker? thanks Steve

[Steve A]

Just had a bit of a dig about on some other forums and it seems Southam mini and metro centre have a really good rep so looks top of the list thanks Steve

[tomkidd]

He uses some old boy near him for the balancing and he don't half do a good job. It's like a sewing machine.

That'll be mine and Chris-Pillings engine builder then Good old Bill

[aquamini]

Hi Rob walker has built a few engines for me cannot fault anything he has ever done,this is why he doesn't need to advertise in the comics cheers Jon.

[aquamini]

He uses some old boy near him for the balancing and he don't half do a good job. It's like a sewing machine.

That'll be mine and Chris-Pillings engine builder then Good old Bill

Think Jim uses someone in Blackburn.

[251 ENG]

Are Schenck crank balancer was bought new in 1972 by some outfit called BROADSPEED

Didn,t they do a bit of racing ?

[tomkidd]

He uses some old boy near him for the balancing and he don't half do a good job. It's like a sewing machine.

That'll be mine and Chris-Pillings engine builder then Good old Bill

Think Jim uses someone in Blackburn.

Ah! I thought Jim might of used Bill as alot of people locally use him for heads on race cars etc. Banks Service station in Hesketh Bank used him for their head on their Lotus Europa that had a helicopter supercharger on it...

[wantafaster1]

I've had a Jim Brindle engine for 25 years, so that hung together well.........

[Pete]

I've had a Jim Brindle engine for 25 years, so that hung together well.........

..and a top bloke he is too.

[Steve A]

Dropped the engine in to Southam today and Simon gave us a guided tour, some really nice cars and freindly service. Gone for a little bit more power than first anticipated. Also collected my grearbox today from Guessworks, gt close ratio gearset, x pin diff hardy, spicer outputs and 3.1 final drive for the lemans trip, again good freindly service, but Southam are gonna build it up for me. Thanks for the recommendation and i'll post some pics when i get some progress to report. Kind regards Steve

[mk1]

Glad to be of help, I am sure you will be very pleased.