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wambo73
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2014
Posts: 28
Location: baltimore
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 Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 5:56 pm Post subject: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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Hey Everyone,
looking to see who is out there that can do some engine work for me in my area?
engine is out and is a basic long block- I need new main bearings (case checked) also I figured id have the cam and rod bearings swapped at the same time and the flywheel correctly shimmed.
had some pretty high quotes for this work, looking to have it done reasonably cheap, but correct, and have a decent turnaround time.
know anyone let me know please.
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1973 Beetle
1973 Wild Westerner Bus |
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wambo73
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2014
Posts: 28
Location: baltimore
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| Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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or if anyone has a comparable long block they would just want to swap me so I can get on the road... that might work too.
lots of goodies in mine.
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1973 Beetle
1973 Wild Westerner Bus |
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wambo73
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2014
Posts: 28
Location: baltimore
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| Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 5:11 pm Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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probably should list the specs of my engine-
1904cc
-cb performance 74mm 8 dowel forged crank
-cb 5.235" H beam rods
-90.5 A pistons
-W120 cam
-Scat lightweight lube lifters
-lightened flywheel
-CB NEW panchito heads, 52cc chambers, titanium retainers dual valve springs
-CB HD aluminum pushrods
-stainless steel push rod tubes
-SOLID rocker shaft
-upgraded oil pressure springs
-CB performance full flow oil pump
as you can see, not cheap parts. would really like someone to just do the mains for me, but if you already have something put together I can trade this engine and some cash on top.
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1973 Beetle
1973 Wild Westerner Bus |
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calvinater
Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2014
Posts: 3328
Location: 802 The Pointless Forrest
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 4:09 am Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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Whats wrong with the current engine?
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"Albatross"! |
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andk5591
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005
Posts: 16757
Location: State College, PA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 4:34 am Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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| Quote: |
| had some pretty high quotes for this work, looking to have it done reasonably cheap, but correct, and have a decent turnaround time. |
Let me explain. If you are good, you are busy and have a backlog. AND quality tools and techs cost money. The only thing you can hope to find is a serious hobbyist that would want to do it.
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D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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vwinnovator
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2005
Posts: 1555
Location: Still doing it in the back of your VW
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 4:58 am Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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| andk5591 wrote: |
| Quote: |
| had some pretty high quotes for this work, looking to have it done reasonably cheap, but correct, and have a decent turnaround time. |
Let me explain. If you are good, you are busy and have a backlog. AND quality tools and techs cost money. The only thing you can hope to find is a serious hobbyist that would want to do it. |
Except when your good, have a constant backlog, and know how to manage the work flow in your business... 
Low overhead also provides for the ability to be reasonably priced. |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16863
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 5:28 am Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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| vwinnovator wrote: |
Except when your good, have a constant backlog, and know how to manage the work flow in your business...
Low overhead also provides for the ability to be reasonably priced. |
yep...
some places won't ever see the forest thru the trees either.
if shop A is 100/hr with 6 guys, shop B is 90/hr with 3 guys and shop C is 50/hr with 1 guy, shop C is losing potential revenue by not staying within a few dollars of their competition, has to work harder to keep it all together and usually caters to bottom feeder/DIY types. all things being equal, lets say shop A,B and C all to quality work. shop C devalues their worth, and makes shop A and B look "greedy" just because you have lower overhead doesn't mean you should "discount" the work. there is a "street value" to all of this. enjoy selling yourself short and working till you're 85
all of this is taught in business class. to the o/p....fast, cheap, correct. pick 2
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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wambo73
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2014
Posts: 28
Location: baltimore
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 12:33 pm Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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Guess that makes me the Bottom Feeder type 
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porkchop-rob
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2015
Posts: 440
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 12:50 pm Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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I understand wanting to save a few bucks and not spend more money than needed on LABOR.
That said, if you already have the engine out...why not freshen it up yourself. It will require some work, some reading, some tools, and maybe some new friends. But, in the end...you'll be glad you did, and you will have knowledge, new friends, and tools!!! You may even be able to get a local shop to measure and inspect everything WITH you for a reasonable price if your worried about that part.
Also, in the above mentioned business examples...I try to steer clear of the super fancy businesses with the highest rates, and the cheap, under-staffed/under-trained place just the same (wait - my personal garage is under-staffed and under-trained!  LOL)
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1968 Beetle Baja (Son's First Car)
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wambo73
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2014
Posts: 28
Location: baltimore
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 1:28 pm Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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well, trying to fix it myself is what got me into this situation to begin with.
a buddy and me split the case to just do a cam swap.. and well, we messed up bearings... just being honest. opps.
so I could split it again myself, but measuring the line bore, checking thrust and setting the shims for the flywheel makes me uncomfortable.
if I could find someone that would do it with me, or let me watch, HELL YES. I would love that.
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modok
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009
Posts: 26785
Location: Colorado Springs
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 6:46 pm Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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| wambo73 wrote: |
| Guess that makes me the Bottom Feeder type |
I thought we all were?  |
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andk5591
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005
Posts: 16757
Location: State College, PA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 7:15 pm Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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| modok wrote: |
| wambo73 wrote: |
| Guess that makes me the Bottom Feeder type |
I thought we all were? |
_________________
D-Dubya Manx clone - 63 Short pan,1914.
Rosie 65 bug - My mostly stock daily driver.
Woodie 69 VW woodie (Hot VWs 7/12).
"John's car" 64 VW woodie - The first ever
Maxine 61 Cal-look bug - Cindy's daily driver.
Max - 73 standard Beetle hearse project - For sale
66 bug project - Real patina & Suby conversion
There's more, but not keeping them... |
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vwinnovator
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2005
Posts: 1555
Location: Still doing it in the back of your VW
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| Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2016 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| vwinnovator wrote: |
Except when your good, have a constant backlog, and know how to manage the work flow in your business...
Low overhead also provides for the ability to be reasonably priced. |
yep...
some places won't ever see the forest thru the trees either.
if shop A is 100/hr with 6 guys, shop B is 90/hr with 3 guys and shop C is 50/hr with 1 guy, shop C is losing potential revenue by not staying within a few dollars of their competition, has to work harder to keep it all together and usually caters to bottom feeder/DIY types. all things being equal, lets say shop A,B and C all to quality work. shop C devalues their worth, and makes shop A and B look "greedy" just because you have lower overhead doesn't mean you should "discount" the work. there is a "street value" to all of this. enjoy selling yourself short and working till you're 85
all of this is taught in business class. to the o/p....fast, cheap, correct. pick 2 |
what your not looking at is the NET per hr... high over head lowers your NET.
Who's going to pay you $4000 labor to build a vw beetle engine @ $100hr?? which you might keep 1/2 of with your high overhead..
much easier to collect $2000 labor, keep 95% of it and actually have the work you like to do
low over head give a freedom to pick and choose the jobs, and a freedom to work the pace you choose.
are you a slave to your job/overhead? bound to the 40+ hr work week? most likely..
think I recall you saying once that you rarely work on air cooled any more 'cause you can't make any money in them anymore... |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16863
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 5:44 am Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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| vwinnovator wrote: |
Who's going to pay you $4000 labor to build a vw beetle engine @ $100hr?? which you might keep 1/2 of with your high overhead..
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CB, CPR and others have no issue collecting that kind of $$, so why should anyone else be different?
there is a place in GA that does T4's for 20K+....so, what's your point?
it takes me a lot longer the 40 hours to build an engine. I can assemble one in 2 hours. which would you rather?
and yes, I seldom do aircooled for clients any more. when I can make more money doing other things with less drama it's a no brainer.
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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vwinnovator
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2005
Posts: 1555
Location: Still doing it in the back of your VW
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 6:04 am Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
| vwinnovator wrote: |
Who's going to pay you $4000 labor to build a vw beetle engine @ $100hr?? which you might keep 1/2 of with your high overhead..
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CB, CPR and others have no issue collecting that kind of $$, so why should anyone else be different? umm, no, they don't.. they are not selling a $6000 turnkey engine with dual carbs with a $4K labor attached to it...
there is a place in GA that does T4's for 20K+....so, what's your point? Raby? nickel cyls and ceramic coated heads, etc. will get you there..
it takes me a lot longer the 40 hours to build an engine. I can assemble one in 2 hours. which would you rather? sure, high performance and stokers can get to 60+ hrs to build-no argument there.., but if your "assembling" a 2 hr. motor, it no wonder you have "drama" with them..
and yes, I seldom do aircooled for clients any more. when I can make more money doing other things with less drama it's a no brainer.Fantastic!! keep them coming my way, 'cause I don't mind them at all.. |
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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16863
Location: sticksville, ct.
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 10:46 am Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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I like you paul. you're a funny guy.
guess the biz is so good, you want to sell it. looks like you are in the 80-100 range (or you sure as hell suggest that in your ad)...so, I guess it all depends on who is buying or selling the time, and what it's worth, right?
but hey, you're the boss
_________________
| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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vwinnovator
Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2005
Posts: 1555
Location: Still doing it in the back of your VW
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 6:10 pm Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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| skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
I like you paul. you're a funny guy.
guess the biz is so good, you want to sell it. looks like you are in the 80-100 range (or you sure as hell suggest that in your ad)...so, I guess it all depends on who is buying or selling the time, and what it's worth, right?
but hey, you're the boss |
Thanks for the plug!!!
In this world EVERYTHING is for sale!! And at my discounted price, I can set the next generation in motion without raking them over the coals..
What you don't know, however, is that the surrounding labor rates in my area are in the $130's now, and that I own the buildings and can set the rental rate to help the next generation prosper without them having to make it up from over charging the customers to satisfy a high overhead.
Personally, I'll be doing this another 10+ years, whether or not I'm at the helm will depend on whether or not the next generation can absorb the values I hold for taking care of customers if they pass on to them.
Treating people like people and helping them take car of their cars at a reasonable price has served my business well.
How about you..you see them as just an invoice # with a price tag?? |
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theKbStockpiler
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2012
Posts: 2316
Location: Rust Belt
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2016 12:49 am Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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had some pretty high quotes for this work..... |
What kind of figures are you getting?
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nsracing
Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2003
Posts: 9462
Location: NOVA
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 10:05 am Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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What are you wanting to build? And what is a lot of money are the shops asking to rebuild yours?
I have a new parts build 2054cc (74 x 94) on the rack now w/ big valves head about to bolt on. Case is a virgin AJ-series case. Engle 120 cam.
Was your old engine not performing why you did a cam swap? |
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wambo73
Samba Member
Joined: November 02, 2014
Posts: 28
Location: baltimore
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2016 1:23 pm Post subject: Re: engine builder in Western Maryland |
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Cam swap was done because the engine was a turbo engine for a short time, so it had a turbo cam and heads with 62cc chambers for pretty low compression. So I ordered the panchito heads with 52cc and the new cam to make it more N/A build.
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