Engine Rebuild company needed

[KevF]

Guys,

Long story but my new F150 blew the block the other day with only 500 miles on it.

The Uk warranty will cover the work but I need to find a reputable company that can take the engine out, rebuild it then refit. Or possibly just refit a new motor.

Is there anyone you can recommend that can do the job? As the truck is my daily I really need it done in January if possible.

Cheers

Kev

[58 delray]

there is a conpany not far from you called "scholar engines" (spelling may be wrong) who are supposed to be quite good, you should be able to get their number out of the yellow pages,
andy.

[Hot Rod Widow]

there is a conpany not far from you called "scholar engines" (spelling may be wrong) who are supposed to be quite good, you should be able to get their number out of the yellow pages,
andy.


Contact Scholar Engines of Suffolk (http://www.scholarengines.co.uk/contact.html)<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class="j hc">Scholar Engines. Address, Blue House Lane. Mendlesham. Stowmarket. Suffolk IP14 5NH ... Fax, 01449 767772. Email, scholar-engines@supanet.com.
www.scholarengines.co.uk/contact.html (http://www.scholarengines.co.uk/contact.html)

could this be them .....

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[KevF]

Cheers, thanks for the link. Unfortunately, they can do engine work but dont remove and replace.
Warranty company want a one shop stop kinda deal by the sounds of it.

Alan at Scholar was very helpful though. Sounds a top bloke

Kev

[Adam]

Kev, oh sh** mate. Any idea what the problem was? Hopefully it was something obvious and a one off. I would think most places would want to know how long the rebuild is going to take or if the truck is going away in this time. Might be worth getting a copy of Classic American and calling around. Personally I wouldn't even consider a rebuild and would insist on a brand new engine after only 500 miles. Unless you can 100% identify what let go you may be rebuilding an engine with an inherent fault.

[Banger]

Give Billy at North American Motor Co a call on 01252 515750. Not out your way but worth the trip.

[KevF]

Kev, oh sh** mate. Any idea what the problem was? Hopefully it was something obvious and a one off. I would think most places would want to know how long the rebuild is going to take or if the truck is going away in this time. Might be worth getting a copy of Classic American and calling around. Personally I wouldn't even consider a rebuild and would insist on a brand new engine after only 500 miles. Unless you can 100% identify what let go you may be rebuilding an engine with an inherent fault.

Adam,

Buggered if I know what happened mate. Just chugging along in the city when the truck vibrated then a loud knock followed by loadsa smoke. Then a bang and the engine died. Hole the size of a 50pence in the drivers side of the block right where the rods would be able to do some damage.
Ford US said they would sort it only if I got it back to the US dealership at my cost. Luckily the truck came with a UK warranty and it seems (fingers crossed famous last words) they will cover it. Probably going to get it down to Mildenhall Autos for them to pull the motor and then hopefully a new engine.
Have heard some of the 5.4 3v lumps have had issues with crankshafts but none of them were the Saleen supercharged ones.....

Will have to wait and see what happens.

Kev

[Adam]

All I have heard is that boosting the early ones to over 450hp can strip the spark plug threads as they are quite thin there compared to later ones. Have you had a search on The National Harley Truck Owners Club
http://www.nhtoc.com/main.php
also
http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/
but they ain't that great or
http://www.lightningrodder.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=17
which are better but the top one is best.
keep us posted mate and sorry to hear that after a long wait and just 500 miles.

[nigel3432]

Hi kev,i would also insist on a new block,as u.s companys dont like selling short engines,and the extra labour content that could be thrown in could be wastefull at a later date,all depending on what let go.(all depending on whats available as well).
Try Cliff Hepton or Nigel Taylor on 01264 321170 at Carolina Classics ,they are used to dealing with insurance work from all over the country,and can carry out this sort of job completly for you,including recovery e.t.c.

[KevF]

Cheers Nigel.

The truck is booked into Mildenhall Autos on 15th Jan. They are removing the engine and it looks as if the warranty will replace the engine (much preferable over a rebuild).

Adam, I am already on NHTOC and Lightning Rodder and have posted events so far on there. Most are shocked but the 5.4 3v motor has seen 10-12psi boost regularly. Even my '03 HDF150 ran 10psi with no issues. My new one ran 10psi max but mostly 9si so still within tolerances apparently.
The guy at Mildenhall said they had a brand new 4.6 modular lump in a Mustang GT blow a few months ago with only 200 miles on it due to incorrect timing from the factory !!!! could be sales bull**** but I guess I could have got a 'Friday afternoon' motor..... : (

Hopefully be back on the road in late Feb ready for the first Rebel -V8 drags in March...LOL

Hope I dont have to fork anything out myself as the only cash I have spare is meant to be to get Zephaire on the road for this season....

Kev

[Adam]

Mine is 8lb max boost stock I think. I will pass on buying the the bigger +6lb lower pulley for mine now mate as hat would stick me in the 14lb mark. Amazing how this colder weather really has an effect on the power delivery as well. Hope you get it sorted asap mate. I'll try and make the rebel run and put some faces to the avtars!