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been looking for a 403 to turn my delta 88 into a death machine. bringing me to the question, would it be worth it to just buy a remanufactured 403 online? link to the one I was looking at will follow.
If you're not going to beat it like a rented mule, that would be the way to go.
Define "beat it like a rented mule".
I assume you mean something along the lines of drop it in and start racing it like a mad man.
I'm sure I'll eventually upgrade towards higher performance. I'm just looking for a good starting point to get her on the road and able to take me to and from work in the cold
I assume you mean something along the lines of drop it in and start racing it like a mad man.
I'm sure I'll eventually upgrade towards higher performance. I'm just looking for a good starting point to get her on the road and able to take me to and from work in the cold
It will be basically a stock low compression engine that will take you to and from anywhere you choose. A good starting point for performance upgrades it is not.
I would run, not walk, away from an ATK engine. I purchased an ATK reman 4.0 Jeep engine for a Comanche through O'Reilly. Engine #1 lasted 272 miles before developed a significant RMS leak. When I pulled the pan I saw that it had started spitting up cam bearings. ATK blamed me and said I didn't prime the engine. I sent a pic of the gauge showing 72psi on the engine stand. Then they said that, if I paid out of pocket to ship it to them they "might" warranty it. I asked O'Reilly to step in and they helped get engine #2. Engine #2 ran for 100 miles and an identical RMS leak start. I said to &^%% with it and sold the truck. I couldn't get my money back.
Low price draws you in on ATK but their products, espec from Monterrey Mexico are absolute garbage.
Should have known it was too good to be true. Just price out machine work. It will be 3/4 of that price. Add a core and quality parts will be much higher.
Last edited by olds 307 and 403; Jan 27, 2022 at 04:19 PM.
Should have known it was too good to be true. Just price out machine work. It will be 3/4 of that price. Add a core and quality parts will be much higher.
There is no machine work done. Price out a gasket set, main bearings, rod bearings, cam bearings, piston rings and a timing chain set.
There was machine work on that 4.0 but, in hindsight (always 20/20) there were a number of questionable things about that engine. If you look at the cam in the pics above you can see the cam isn't new. In fact my theory shut ATK's argument down cold. They got really quiet when I asked them if the cams were shot cleaned prior to being reused. The journals were mottled, consistent with shot cleaning, and I believe it put residual stress in the old cam. When the engine heat cycled the cam turned into a banana and started walking the bearings out. While they would never confirm or deny my theory it was at that point they offered to pay part of my claim. Prior to that it was no, no, no...
Also that engine had 3 #3 connecting rods, it had the incorrect cam bolt (no thrust button), there was no evidence of the crank and rods being balanced, I found stop leak pellets in the block, a few tapped holes that I had to chase, etc, etc. How well did the gang in Monterrey, MX machine the block? While I didn't mic the crank and use a bore gauge on the cylinder walls I'd say it was machined with the same care (or lack thereof) they used in assembling it.
ATK is THE reason I went looking for a local machine shop when I needed an engine for my '69. It's also THE reason I have a core Jeep 4.0 in the basement now. When the time comes that core will be rebuilt to go in the Comanche I bought to replace the one that got 2 sub-par ATK motors.
That sucks. Guys either have good luck or a nightmare like you mentioned with ATK. It sounds like their warranty is total BS and nothing but a fight. This 403 will have oversized pistons but they might do something like throw in .060" oversize and do shoddy machine work and assembly. It is a $2500 crap shoot.
It sounds like their warranty is total BS and nothing but a fight. This 403 will have oversized pistons but they might do something like throw in .060" oversize and do shoddy machine work and assembly. It is a $2500 crap shoot.
Your assessment is spot on! On ATK's warranty if you're a private individual your time is worth $0.00/hr to them. If you paid a shop or could produce an invoice from your shop then your labor is worth $40/hr. When was the shop labor rate $40/hr? 1994? I purchased the engine on my old shop's commercial account so we skipped over the $0.00/hr portion of the game. I had a funny conversation with O'Reilly when they dropped off engine #2. I needed it brought to my house and they said they couldn't do that. I pointed out that the truck I would use to transport the engine was, in fact, the same truck waiting on the engine. The store manager had the "ah ha" moment and said yep we'll take care of it.
A reman engine with oversize pistons has no machine work done?
Originally Posted by olds 307 and 403
That sucks. Guys either have good luck or a nightmare like you mentioned with ATK. It sounds like their warranty is total BS and nothing but a fight. This 403 will have oversized pistons but they might do something like throw in .060" oversize and do shoddy machine work and assembly. It is a $2500 crap shoot.
Where are you seeing this about O.S. pistons ? I seem to not be finding it.
Keep in mind that "oversized pistons" can mean oversized piston bores. That doesn't mean bored oversize.
During the mid 1990's I installed over a dozen ATK REMAN engines over an 18-24 period at my auto repair facility. I chose ATK because I was impressed with their 3 year-36 month parts and labor warranty and pro-ported commitment to quality. To ensure trouble free operation I included the replacement of the radiator, thermostat, belts, coolant hoses, and water pump. The engines were primed using a pressurized oil fill. Spark plugs, ignition wires, and fuel filter were also replaced. Of course a new oil filter was installed. Proper break-in driving habits were relieved with the costumer. After several months we had a few engine failures. Each time they denied warranty reimbursement. The most they would do was to sell me a "repaired" reman engine which was actually a repaired (used) warranty return at a "discounted" price. To save my business reputation I ate thousands of dollars.
Where are you seeing this about O.S. pistons ? I seem to not be finding it.
Keep in mind that "oversized pistons" can mean oversized piston bores. That doesn't mean bored oversize.
It very could be, whatever is cheapest. I know the Jasper engines did for sure. There should be but if they can get away with a hone, they will and maybe beyond proper piston to wall clearance. It will be the cheapest pistons possible and Mexican machine work, which is yikes and probably awful. It would be interesting to see all the dimensions precision measured on one of these motors. It sounds like basically the warranty is non existent, so don't count on it.
Last edited by olds 307 and 403; Jan 28, 2022 at 09:30 AM.
From the reviews, Jasper is just as bad. They maybe honor their warranty slightly better but that is it. Someone on one of these Oldsmobile sites had a Jasper reman Olds 350. He tore it down, deep dish 24cc cast pistons in .030" with #8 heads I believe. It did run OK but was the exact opposite of what a person wants for performance.
I have a friend who bought a 318 Dodge from Budget Engine Rebuilders in Cleveland, OH about 10 years ago for his truck. It's done well for him and they say they have Olds 350s.
I have never compared prices between the mentioned online rebuilders and a local shop, but I have spoken with one recommended local shop and I would have complete confidence with having that local shop do the work on my engine. So I would say check with your local shops to see what their prices and warranties are compared to an online place before you actually spend any of your hard earned money.
I would run, not walk, away from an ATK engine. I purchased an ATK reman 4.0 Jeep engine for a Comanche through O'Reilly. Engine #1 lasted 272 miles before developed a significant RMS leak. When I pulled the pan I saw that it had started spitting up cam bearings. ATK blamed me and said I didn't prime the engine. I sent a pic of the gauge showing 72psi on the engine stand. Then they said that, if I paid out of pocket to ship it to them they "might" warranty it. I asked O'Reilly to step in and they helped get engine #2. Engine #2 ran for 100 miles and an identical RMS leak start. I said to &^%% with it and sold the truck. I couldn't get my money back.
Low price draws you in on ATK but their products, espec from Monterrey Mexico are absolute garbage.
Couldn't agree more, ATK would not be my choice, Blue Print would be better.
I have never compared prices between the mentioned online rebuilders and a local shop, but I have spoken with one recommended local shop and I would have complete confidence with having that local shop do the work on my engine. So I would say check with your local shops to see what their prices and warranties are compared to an online place before you actually spend any of your hard earned money.
A co-worker recommended Chuck’s Speed & RV Center when I thought I needed the Jeep head rebuilt. They have done a few engines for him and his friends over the years.
