H&H engine re-builders

I run a one man engine shop and haven't had a failure in a long time. I do more than
what the customer pays for, I don't want a failure. Checking and looking at things
that most people don't look at. If I had my own line bore machine I'd be doing my
own bottom ends.

If you are looking for an engine shop, I would be looking at a shop with the least
number of employees...make sense?
 
It sounds like all of the builders do good work and have problems. Stuff happens. So don't be too sure about "new" engines either, somebody has to put them together and it would be a miracle if there aren't a lot of problems to sort out in the first few years of production.
Find a builder who will give you names of satisfied customers and check out the shop if possible. And follow the progress of the rebuild as much as you can. If "excuses" start to crop up then it is time to go check out the build.
 
Milton said:
H&H no way! When Terry Burtz gets the block casting down pat it will be a whole new world for Model A owners. Like Chris Haines above... waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting, waiting....
Click to expand...

Not in this lifetime!
Bill
 
Logan said:
From the stories I've been told, they tend to get a little sloppy on block repairs. But if you send them a block you know is in perfect condition, then you will be happy with the end result. Again this is what I've been told, I've never bought anything from them before so I dont have any personal experience. Maybe some others with chime in.
Click to expand...
I have an H&H that i purchased from them in 2010. I'm just now getting ready to install it in my Vicky, you guys are starting to scare me. One thing that i did notice was the very poor quality weld repair they did on the block. Me being a welder by trade, i just figured i was being to picky. I never did call them about it and i'm sure nothing would have been done about it anyway. To their credit, Max jr did not charge me anything for not giving him a core.
 
Sturgis, yes that is a Pietenpol, I had the opportunity to talk with the owner/pilot out at the National meet this year. one of the fellows in our club had problems getting the engine to start and found out after removing the engine and sending it back, that the timing gear was off set. When it came back there was still a problem, and Schwalms sent someone to his house to get it right. The other fellow has 600 miles on the engine and had to turn back from the New England meet because of a noise that developed.
 
We at Bert's do build our own engines. We do not repair cracks in blocks, as we will only use crack free blocks. We only do inserts, using Rich Falukas bearings and rods. We only chose to build our own engines because we used to sell others engines and were not happy with their results. Our short blocks are $3150 exchange and we usually have them in stock. We have built 60 of them in the last 2 years, and have yet to have an issue that we are aware of. We do not make a living just building engines, so we build one every two weeks and try to build them well, and we do them in house. ANY engine builder will eventually have a problem with an engine, we have just been lucky and are trying to make sure we do them right the first time. Any questions, just give us a call.

Steve Becker
Berts Model A Center
Since 1980
800-321-1931
 
I bought a touring short block 3 years ago from h&h. It had a small rear main oil leak. Called h&h they payed for shipping and fixed it. Sent it back in less then a week. I Was very happy doing buisness with h&h the engine runs and performs great.
 
SteveB31 said:
We at Bert's do build our own engines. We do not repair cracks in blocks, as we will only use crack free blocks. We only do inserts, using Rich Falukas bearings and rods. We only chose to build our own engines because we used to sell others engines and were not happy with their results. Our short blocks are $3150 exchange and we usually have them in stock. We have built 60 of them in the last 2 years, and have yet to have an issue that we are aware of. We do not make a living just building engines, so we build one every two weeks and try to build them well, and we do them in house. ANY engine builder will eventually have a problem with an engine, we have just been lucky and are trying to make sure we do them right the first time. Any questions, just give us a call.

Steve Becker
Berts Model A Center
Since 1980
800-321-1931
Click to expand...

That seems like a good price. I think I had about $3600 in my last rebuilt babbit engine and that was ten years ago. It took a long time to get the engine done. That is cool that you have some on the shelve. I always enjoy doing business with you and Phil.
 
SteveB31 said:
We at Bert's do build our own engines. We do not repair cracks in blocks, as we will only use crack free blocks. We only do inserts, using Rich Falukas bearings and rods. We only chose to build our own engines because we used to sell others engines and were not happy with their results. Our short blocks are $3150 exchange and we usually have them in stock. We have built 60 of them in the last 2 years, and have yet to have an issue that we are aware of. We do not make a living just building engines, so we build one every two weeks and try to build them well, and we do them in house. ANY engine builder will eventually have a problem with an engine, we have just been lucky and are trying to make sure we do them right the first time. Any questions, just give us a call.

Steve Becker
Berts Model A Center
Since 1980
800-321-1931
Click to expand...

What does that short block include other than inserts? Is it stock or a touring style motor?
 
As long as we are hi-jacking this thread; What is the core charge, ie: no exchange block supplied?
 
SteveB31 said:
We at Bert's do build our own engines. We do not repair cracks in blocks, as we will only use crack free blocks. We only do inserts, using Rich Falukas bearings and rods. We only chose to build our own engines because we used to sell others engines and were not happy with their results. Our short blocks are $3150 exchange and we usually have them in stock. We have built 60 of them in the last 2 years, and have yet to have an issue that we are aware of. We do not make a living just building engines, so we build one every two weeks and try to build them well, and we do them in house. ANY engine builder will eventually have a problem with an engine, we have just been lucky and are trying to make sure we do them right the first time. Any questions, just give us a call.

Steve Becker
Berts Model A Center
Since 1980
800-321-1931
Click to expand...

i thought i read that insert motors were more prone to rear main leaks and bearing wear ?? do they use a rear seal??
 
Last edited:
Shortblock includes balanced crank, bearings, reground cam ($400 more for Stipe Cam), straight guides, valves, bearings , pistons rings etc. . $300 core charge. You install head, pan, valve cover, oil pump, timing cover, pulley , flywheel housing, clutch etc. We also lighten and balance our own flywheels with REBUILT clutch plate (not Chinese clutch plate) $395 exchange.

http://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=3472
http://parts.modelastore.com/show_Product.asp?ID=3584

Steve Becker
Bert's Model A Center
 
I have 2 H&H engines one is great the other is alittle noisey at about 40 miles hr but is in a station wagon driving it is like being in a sound box picks up any noise.Max jr has been good and helped me out on other things also shiped to Detroit on one of my engines.I will buy a 3rd engine from them next year
 
Ed Saniewski said:
Well, thanks to all for posting, and the many P.M.'s I got. I tried searching past posts about H&H but found none, I am glad I asked. Three of our NJ club members have gotten rebuilds from Schwalms and had problems, one had to pull the engine and send it back. I will look around some more, thanks again, Ed Saniewski
Click to expand...

When you do a search for "H&H" the "&" sign confuses the computer.

Charlie Stephens
 
I used Schwalms and I must admit he did a great job. Inserted bearings and lot's of other stuff I don't recall. But There's a guy in Souderton, Bucks Co. Pa. Automotive and Industrial (A and I) machine who is supposed to be good and a little cheaper. I can't find the number right now (It's here somewhere) And there is another guy in just outside of Trenton, in Hamilton who does a lot of engine work. I don't have his name but I can get it.
Terry
 
Thanks to all for the input. A correction to my post before, My friends problem was the rear main was leaking a lot of oil, he wanted to bring the car back but they said no,that's when Schwalms made him pull the engine and return it. When he got the engine back it would not run. Schwalms then sent a mechanic out to the house and they found the timing gear was not set correctly. After that the car has run great.The other friend in our club has not found the problem yet.
 
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