Who is the best FE engine builder?

[blykins]

Well, since Rabotnick threw his money in the cup, I'll toss my penny in too.

There are several build details that put the FE in a class by themselves. In my opinion, the typical Chevy engine builder couldn't just grab a handful of FE parts and spit one out.

Once you find a builder that is very familiar with FE's (prep, machining, and especially assembling), then I would ask yourself the usual questions that you would ask when purchasing any flavor of engine.

*Is the builder reputable enough to install the parts that he said he was going to install. i.e. Is he going to say that there are brand new Scat rods in the engine, but then install some el-cheapo brand? Is he going to over-inflate the dyno numbers to sell horsepower?

*If something happens to my engine that is the builder's fault, is he going to stand behind it? This generation of "internet engine builders" have a very tough row to hoe. Word travels extremely fast over the internet and if one person gets taken to the cleaners, everyone will know in a short period of time. If you can find an FE builder that has a good internet reputation, chances are (there are some exceptions) that builder will be a very straight shooter.

*If I have a question, how hard is it to contact the builder/shop? Do you want to wait an hour, or do you want to wait 2-3 days to get an email response or a return phone call? There's a fine line between quantity and quality. We all want to stay busy enough to pay the bills and be comfortable, but when we get too busy, customer service and quality can suffer.

Again, once you get past the builders that actually don't have any knowledge of FE engines, I would use basic common sense in making a decision. You took the first step by asking for others' opinions in a venue with a lot of previous engine buyers. That's a very good way to find out who's who...

[fordracing65]

Well said Blykins. You also da man!!!!!!

[mreid]

Ya know, I didn't click on this thread for the longest time expecting someone to feel their cornflakes got peed on, but so far this is a great thread! Now if I just had a car that needed an FE...

[A98Coupe]

Thank you very much Barry R & Blykins for your thoughts and advice. I did make the mistake of not doing enough research with my current FE 427S/O engine and found some build mistakes which were simply amatuer and unforgiveable and as such will not be going back to that builder again. After some rework by myself, the engine I have now runs fine and sounds great, but is probably in the low 400hp region and I've now got used to the power. I now want an FE which is lighter, more agressive and most importantly, has been built and dynoed by someone who knows what they are doing! Anyway, I'm going to take my time and research exactly the spec. I want and who I want to build it. I think its the only way to get the most for my hard earned cash. Thanks again guys.
Stuart

[Silversmith]

The best?? Then; as now. Holman Moody Racing Yes they still build FE Side Oilers & others on request. HP + 6500/7000 rpm all day long!! I'm sure the others build top quality engines as well. But for my 2 cents. There can be only ONE If there was/had to be a 2nd choice. I'd go Blykins, smart man/operation

[RACER X #99]

Originally Posted by Silversmith

The best?? Then; as now. Holman & Moody Racing Yes they still build FE Side Oilers & others on request. HP + 6500/7000 rpm all day long!! I'm sure the others build top quality engines as well. But for my 2 cents. There can be only ONE If there was/had to be a 2nd choice. I'd go Blykins, smart man/operation

It's about time Holman Moody was mentioned, The original FE engine builders.
I asked Lee Holman a few years back about getting a cam for my FE. His reply" I'll can grind you the same cam we used in the Le'mans engines. I'll even have the same guy using the same cam grinder as was used in the 60's.

[joyridin']

Originally Posted by RACER X #99

It's about time Holman Moody was mentioned, The original FE engine builders.
I asked Lee Holman a few years back about getting a cam for my FE. His reply" I'll can grind you the same cam we used in the Le'mans engines. I'll even have the same guy using the same cam grinder as was used in the 60's.

Just asking, but is that supposed to be a good thing?

[RACER X #99]

Originally Posted by joyridin'

Just asking, but is that supposed to be a good thing?

It is if you want an FE built to exact LeMans specs.

Never implied that HM is the best FE builder just the first.
Back in the sixties they were what Roush Yates is today. The biggest supplier of Ford racing parts with a direct line to the factory.

Sorry if I confused you.

BTW if money is no object, Roush Yates is the dominant Professional Ford racing engine builder.

[cscobra]

I got mine at Carolina Machine Engines.

[mreid]

Best testimonial yet. Hard to beat that one.

[undy]

There isn't a builder around with better customer service than Brent! I've done business with Brent in the past and wouldn't hestiate to give him my $$ in the future too.

[cobra]

OROBBE

I made the same very good experiences from Switzerland with George Anderson from Gessford (Gessford Machine Shop Inc)

I don't buy only an engine, I bought also a great service (also after some years)
and George stand behind his work and his words.

For me it's one of the most important thing for me who lives very far from the US to know that I have a honest and very competent person in front of me.

[gbilawsky]

Earlier in the thread, the mention was made of Pond Engine Blocks...one of the finest FE blocks available. Many builders, including Barry and Keith, use his blocks. Robert Pond of Robert Pond Motorsports (RPM) not only designs and casts FE blocks and heads, he also builds crate engines and has a great reputation for reliability and horsepower production. Very highly recommended.

[OROBBE]

"gbilawsky", I agree with you (the 482Ci Brent is building for me is based on a Pond ALuminium short block) but as "cobra" said, for us, European customers who live very far from the US one of the most important thing is to know that we are considered like every others US customers with the same services and same quality.

Facts that some builders don't care for the moment as they have enough business in the US ... But how long can they work this way ? Some have understand that they can develop international business via the Internet and now even if you are 4000 / 6000 / 8000 miles far away informations travel very quickly !!!

OliveR

[Jerry Clayton]

Orobbe

Actually the foreign business is very good the past year or so as the dollar exchange rate is very favorable to foreigners---we have been shipping engines and components just about everywhere except Russia,China and Africa---with nearly 40 orders in progress about 30 percent are going overseas or Canada

[gjcomb]

I'd would recommend and I trust Dawkins Engineering (Chris Dawkins - owner) in building up the big block FE. His shop is like going through an automotive museum for engine and parts. He is well versed in building both big and small block powerplants.

His shop is located in Sand City (next to Monterey, CA) and there are a number of guys who can attest to his skills as an engine builder.

He has my FE block in his shop also. George

[DMXF]

Joe LaPine of Danbury Competition Engines in Danbury CT (203-748-7356) can provide most any job you want. While he doesn't have the resources to do things like custom CNC porting in house, he has been working with FE and other Ford engines probably longer than most any other major engine builder out there. He's worked on some pretty esoteric things for me, but also does a lot of the more common, modern Shelby aluminum block, BT head engines.