A friend bought a 408 long block from DSS. [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

The oil pump pickup wasn't tight (barely hanging on) and they didn't even install any of the oil rings. Of course, this wasn't learned until the engine was fired... and it had very little oil pressure and smoked like a freight train. Some of the valves didn't seal well, either... and it needed a valve job too. (discovered when doing a leakdown test after having problems) [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

This was not a 'cheapo' engine, either. It had a Sportsman block, AFR 205 heads, custom pistons and cam, etc. We're talking a $10k engine.

I guess this can happen with any of the big, growing shops that run through a lot of employees. Try to find a smaller REPUTABLE shop without so much turnover for quality work.

Kuntz and Company is good. Be wary of Keith Craft as well. His business has been growing very quickly, (growing pains from running through people trying to find good employees) and good work is a question. I know a guy who ordered a $3500 set of ported FE heads from Craft. When he got them, he could see daylight through the valve job with the valve closed. He sent them back, and they just sunk the valves into the head. The port job was pretty, but didn't flow the advertised numbers. He ended up having a local shop install new seats and do a good valve job. He had a different guy port the next set of heads he bought, and got better flow numbers.

Regardless of where you go... Don't trust ANYBODY'S machine work. Do everything you can to CHECK their work. As for valve jobs... roll the head over and pour gasoline in the ports. If it leaks past the valves, it's not sealing as well as it should. The valve job should be leak free.

Where do you live? Maybe somebody could recommend a good shop nearby.

Good Luck!
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