Getting my 2F rebuilt

[FLA60]

I'm looking for a shop to rebuild my 2F. Has anyone had any work done by National Cylinder Head Exchange? The one I'm talking to is in the Orlando area.
They're quoting me a 'best' price (if no hidden problems) of $1900.
The engine has a holed piston in #3 and low compression of 60 in #4 cylinder. All the other cylinders are 150.
Any info on this shop, or on any other machine shops in the central Florida area are appreciated.

 

[89s rule]

Are they familiar with 2F engines? Land Cruisers? That would be my first question to any shop. If not, then dont let them do it from what I have read on here.

Not familiar with the shop just trying to help you out with any shop.

 

[Mike S]

I would send it to Jim Cheoweth (sp?) in WI. He IS the 2F guy. He posts here under the handle FJ40Jim.

M

 

[Heartworm]

parts+ labor?

That sounds like a good price if they are boring out, replacing pistons, reconditioning rods, grinding valves, regrinding crank and cam, replacing lifters, truing up head, reassembling, etc. Try to find out where they get their rebuild kits. Watch out for the oiler on the timing plate being screwed in too far.

 

[Mark W]

Nothing special about building a 2F. Any competent shop can do it.

Shipping an engine cross country to get it rebuilt? Nothing against Jim, but I just can't see doing this. There should be at least a couple of shops who can handle this for you within reasonable distance even in the most rural area in the 48

Find out what your shop is going to do for $1900. If that includes removing and reinstalling the engine and a complete rebuild with new pistons and cam/lifters, then it's a screaming deal. Too good to be true I would say. If it includes *everything* but the removal/installation it's still a real good deal. It all boils down to just what they are doing for the price. And of course what other shops in the area want to do the same.


Mark...

 

[FJ40Jim]

I think that Jim guy is in Ohio, near Columbus maybe.;p

I would send it to Jim Cheoweth (sp?) in WI. He IS the 2F guy. He posts here under the handle FJ40Jim.

 

[FJ40Jim]

Mark is right. The 2F engine is dead simple... and not like any Honda or mitsubishi engine the average machinist has seen for the past 20 years.

Kinda like having 4 wheel drums serviced at the Midas shop. Ought to be laughably simple. But they can never get it right.

Nothing special about building a 2F. Any competent shop can do it.
Shipping an engine cross country to get it rebuilt? Nothing against Jim, but I just can't see doing this. There should be at least a couple of shops who can handle this for you within reasonable distance even in the most rural area in the 48
Mark...

 

[Mark W]

Shop around for a one man shop. An old guy who has been doing it for years and has seen more smallblock chevys and chevy/ford/dodge six cylinders in old farm trucks than he has aluminum 4 cylinders out of rice rockets.


Mark...

 

[High Desert]

I thought Jim was a Carb guy? You do the whole works too?

 

[FJ40Jim]

TLC Performance is a one man Cruiser repair shop. All types of mechanical repairs & service, and a few well thought out upgrades.

If this is drifting into a dangerously commercial tone, please edit or delete.

 

[FLA60]

Thank you Mark S and W, and Jim for your replies. I wish I lived closer to Columbus OH !
The $1900 doesn't cover removal and re-install. I'm still looking for someone to do that part since I don't have the room or equipment.
I got a quote of $1270 for the removal etc.
I'm continuing to shop around and look on other forums to see if there are any other competent shops in the area.

Ron

 

[wisc60]

Fla60, It would be cheaper to ship the whole truck round trip to Jim C. than have it removed for $1250. I just shipped my engine ($590 round trip) to Jim for a complete rebuild. Check some auto shippers for quote. I decided it was a lot cheaper in the long run, and more practical to send it to someone that knows what they are doing. Jim has many, many referrals and knows all the tricks of the trade already. By the way Jim, why are you wasting precious time posting?