Need replacement engine, Germany. Any experience with Mabbco motors?
July 13th, 2017, 12:47 PM
#1
Need replacement engine, Germany. Any experience with Mabbco motors?
Hallo Gents,
as my 350 decided to leave me in parts on the highway through the oilpan, i have to look for a new engine. Chevy motors are available here, but not the first choice for me, Olds engines are hard to find. I found one on ebay and this guy is asking 5.000€....
Well, I am not a millionaire, so I look for alternatives in US. I found a motor company named "Mabbco", located in TX. Prices are quiete reasonable, at least compared with a.m.
Does anybody have good/bad experiences or even know Mabbco? As usual I find some negavtive things in the net, but I also know that this must not mean that everything is bad.
Thanks for your support,
Marc
as my 350 decided to leave me in parts on the highway through the oilpan, i have to look for a new engine. Chevy motors are available here, but not the first choice for me, Olds engines are hard to find. I found one on ebay and this guy is asking 5.000€....
Well, I am not a millionaire, so I look for alternatives in US. I found a motor company named "Mabbco", located in TX. Prices are quiete reasonable, at least compared with a.m.
Does anybody have good/bad experiences or even know Mabbco? As usual I find some negavtive things in the net, but I also know that this must not mean that everything is bad.
Thanks for your support,
Marc
July 13th, 2017, 01:39 PM
#2
Administrator
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Poteau, Ok
Posts: 40,515
Purchasing an engine from a commercial rebuilder is always a crap shoot compounded by the fact you are outside the USA. If I were in your shoes I would look elsewhere. Do you need a complete long block or will a short block work for you? Can your engine be rebuilt with new rotating assy and cam?
July 14th, 2017, 01:47 AM
#3
'87 Delta 88 Royale
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Margate, England
Posts: 2,513
Have you tried looking a little nearer home?. The UK, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Sweden all have a large following for American cars.
It will cost a lot less than shipping from the USA.
I'll ask around here if you like, what model year is your car?, later engines have heads designed for emissions rather than power, but if your heads are ok maybe you can re-use them.
Roger.
It will cost a lot less than shipping from the USA.
I'll ask around here if you like, what model year is your car?, later engines have heads designed for emissions rather than power, but if your heads are ok maybe you can re-use them.
Roger.
July 14th, 2017, 08:54 AM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,574
Have you tried looking a little nearer home?. The UK, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Sweden all have a large following for American cars.
It will cost a lot less than shipping from the USA.
I'll ask around here if you like, what model year is your car?, later engines have heads designed for emissions rather than power, but if your heads are ok maybe you can re-use them.
Roger.
It will cost a lot less than shipping from the USA.
I'll ask around here if you like, what model year is your car?, later engines have heads designed for emissions rather than power, but if your heads are ok maybe you can re-use them.
Roger.
July 16th, 2017, 02:51 AM
#5
'87 Delta 88 Royale
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Margate, England
Posts: 2,513
So I guess any 350 Olds block will work, maybe needing new pistons and cam?.
How bad is the engine that let go?. Did it smash a rod through the side of the block?, or just die with rattling rod bearings?.
We need more information!.
Roger.
How bad is the engine that let go?. Did it smash a rod through the side of the block?, or just die with rattling rod bearings?.
We need more information!.
Roger.
July 16th, 2017, 05:36 AM
#6
Well, block,pistons, and more or less everything block related is scrap. Head seems to be a ok, but just by checking visual.
I will try to get a short block or preferable a long block (dont want to save money for having another desaster) and will overwork the old head as spare part for the hopefully never coming next motor crash.
I'll found now a company who will do the shipping from Texas, I'll hope that this will make it a bit easier to find an engine from somebody who is willing to ship US ground.
Or do you have in old good britain a source for olds engines? :-)
I will try to get a short block or preferable a long block (dont want to save money for having another desaster) and will overwork the old head as spare part for the hopefully never coming next motor crash.
I'll found now a company who will do the shipping from Texas, I'll hope that this will make it a bit easier to find an engine from somebody who is willing to ship US ground.
Or do you have in old good britain a source for olds engines? :-)
July 16th, 2017, 11:13 AM
#7
'87 Delta 88 Royale
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Margate, England
Posts: 2,513
I can't lay my hands on one immediately, but I will put the word out.
You might try ebay Europe, assuming ebay runs in Germany. I see you are quite close to the Belgian and Dutch borders, you might get lucky there.
Roger.
You might try ebay Europe, assuming ebay runs in Germany. I see you are quite close to the Belgian and Dutch borders, you might get lucky there.
Roger.
July 20th, 2017, 10:55 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Denmark
Posts: 1,590
I have a 73-76 350 short block with pistons that are good. Using this block with your 72 heads will give you higher compression than stock.
It needs the crank turned down, and I have three cranks you can choose from. Two of those are prepared for pilot bearings (manual transmission).
Camshaft is dodgy, I have the standard Edelbrock RPM cam that someone tried to break in.
Used oil pan.
Decent timing gear+chain set.
I live in South Denmark.
It needs the crank turned down, and I have three cranks you can choose from. Two of those are prepared for pilot bearings (manual transmission).
Camshaft is dodgy, I have the standard Edelbrock RPM cam that someone tried to break in.
Used oil pan.
Decent timing gear+chain set.
I live in South Denmark.
July 20th, 2017, 11:45 AM
#9
Seff, thank you very much for the offer.
Actually I am in contact with a nice member from here who offered me a complete motor.
If this doesnt work out and your offer is still valid, I'll contact you.
Thanks again, great to get so much support.
Actually I am in contact with a nice member from here who offered me a complete motor.
If this doesnt work out and your offer is still valid, I'll contact you.
Thanks again, great to get so much support.
July 21st, 2017, 01:04 AM
#12
'87 Delta 88 Royale
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Margate, England
Posts: 2,513
This to me is what CO, and the American Car scene is all about, someone is in trouble, and people try to help.
An international effort in this case. Apologies to Seff, I missed out Denmark in a previous post.
We all hope you find what you are looking for. Please keep us up to date with your progress.
Roger.
An international effort in this case. Apologies to Seff, I missed out Denmark in a previous post.
We all hope you find what you are looking for. Please keep us up to date with your progress.
Roger.
Last edited by rustyroger; July 21st, 2017 at 01:06 AM.
July 23rd, 2017, 06:32 AM
#13
Good morning US,
quick question. Does somebody live nearby Lockport, NY and could roughly check an engine for me?
there is on at ebay atm.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oldsmobile-3...FZbWwD&vxp=mtr
Photos look great, even if I still wonder what might be the sense of the red switch next to the left head.
Thx,
Marc
quick question. Does somebody live nearby Lockport, NY and could roughly check an engine for me?
there is on at ebay atm.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oldsmobile-3...FZbWwD&vxp=mtr
Photos look great, even if I still wonder what might be the sense of the red switch next to the left head.
Thx,
Marc
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