engine rebuild kits-quality vs. cost

[chinkapin creek]

I am rebuilding a continental z134 engine and need a master kit. I have searched and called around and have come up with pricing between $400-$640 for the same kits, just different brands. Some of the brands I do not recognize like Advantage kits. The most noticable to me is Sealed Power (Federal Mogul). I know Federal Mogul is good stuff.

Is there certain brands to look out for or are they all good. My local seller says they have sold the same off brand kits for years and never had a problem, but went on to tell me that they are sent the best deal by their warehouse when ordered. So, it could be this brand or that brand depending on what their warehouse has.

Any opinions of different qualities of rebuild kits?

Thanks.

 

[chinkapin creek]

Surely someone here has rebuilt an engine

 

[pjbci]

I think as long as you get your kit from a reputable dealer and not a chain store like autozone you will get good parts. I have bought several repower kits from shoup.com and abline machine also bought some locally. The kits have had federal, dana, clevite, and some other brands that i cannot think of right now but were all quality parts.

 

[duroc]

I am rebuilding a continental z134 engine and need a master kit. I have searched and called around and have come up with pricing between $400-$640 for the same kits, just different brands. Some of the brands I do not recognize like Advantage kits. The most noticable to me is Sealed Power (Federal Mogul). I know Federal Mogul is good stuff.

Any opinions of different qualities of rebuild kits?

Thanks.

I'd stay with one of the the above kits (bold print). You can probably find kits cheaper online (chinese cr*p), but, IMO, they don't have the same quality as the aforementioned. When the difference is only about $200, I'd opt for the best known kit out there.

 

[Midniteoyl]

Ya, as long a s you are sure the parts arent all Chinese, then go with what you can afford. Most 'kits' are made from several different brands with most being quality.

example: this kit contains AI Products parts.. Massey Ferguson Engine Overhaul Kit Z134 Continental | eBay and is the same as several other (look up the individual part numbers and you will see). The other kit out there seems mainly the TISCO kit sold by yesterdaystractors.com and others.

They all seem to be around the same price though. The main difference being whether they contain 'extras' like oil pump, water pumps, radiator hoses, etc..

 

[boilerdude]

chinkapin creek - did you have any luck with your rebuild kit ? What brand did you choose...? I, too, are in need of a kit and not sure of what brand to go with.. hope you had success with whatever you picked. Thanks

 

[chinkapin creek]

Yes, I went with the A&I kit. All good quality parts. Price was middle of the road. I was afraid of the cheap stuff. Most of the valve train parts came from the Agco dealer.


Some of this stuff you can't get American made stuff.