----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 7:59 AM
Subject: Re: IML: '59 back to square one
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 6:32
AM
Subject: Re: IML: '59 back to square
one
Bill;
You are right to take your car someplace else, that mechanic is
full of bunk. Never have I heard of replacing a crankshaft as being a
standard part of a rebuild, especially in an engine with a forged steel
crank. The only exception to this would be if the crank broke or had been
run with a dry bearing so long that it wore down one of the journals to the
point where it couldn't be reground.
As for rebuild parts your nearest stop should be the auto parts
store. The 413 is an RB engine, other then pistons and rings there are so
many parts that it has in common with 383's and 440's that it isn't funny.
For new pistons, if needed, talk to Egge machine and order a set of new
rings to match.
Best Regards
Arran Foster
1954 Imperial Newport
Needing A Left Side Tailight Bezel and other trim parts.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2004 9:06
PM
Subject: IML: '59 back to square
one
Just got the pleasant news today from the
mechanic I brought my Imperial to for the engine rebuild, that his cost
alone on the rebuild was going to be around $4,000.00, and that I would
end up paying around $6,000.00. I told him for six thousand I could go buy
another '59 and swap engines, and that I would be there to pick up the car
tomorrow. He was telling me he was going to put in brand new pistons, a
new crank shaft, new valves with stainless steel seals for non leaded gas,
and all kinds of crap, but the truth is when I got the car back how would
I know if all of this stuff was in there? Fortunately the car is in an
area where there are literally hundreds of mechanics, so I'm sure I will
find someone to do it at a reasonable price. If the going price for a new
V-8 rebuild is around $2,500.00, why are they trying to soak me on my old
'59, which is much easier to work on? I certainly don't look rich when I
go there, on the contrary with my casual shorts and old tattered t shirt,
I look just slightly better than some bum off the street. I guess I
shouldn't be bringing it to shops which specialize in antique automobiles.
I will keep you posted on the outcome of my quest to get my '59 back on
the streets again. For an engine which is so straight forward and easy to
get at that even I have done minor repairs on it, you would think a
mechanic would jump at the chance to work on it, and not charge an arm and
a leg. The engine on my Nissan is so crammed into the engine compartment
that I don't think I have ever seen a spark plug in there. Oh well, life
goes on!
Bill '59
Crown