PAW quality?

[skid2964]

I already asked about thier block kits but got no response. Has anyone used ANY product offered by PAW that would show the accuracy and/or quality of thier machine work? block kit? crank kit? etc.....

[1studiac]

I dont know but I am thinking this route:

http://www.greenbaypartsworld.com/a360a.htm

And in case you were wondering I asked about this:

i was looking at a rebuild kit for a amc 360 (1980), you offer a rv cam with that kit, can I get some info on that cam? In particular I want to know what the duration at .050 is as well as the total duration. I also would like to know the lift and the degrees of separation. Thanks


and here is his reply

Thanks for contacting Green Bay Parts World. For your inquiry, the RV cam option has the following specs: 204/214 at .050" lift, 270/280 advertised, ..448/.472 lift, 105/115 lobe centers. This kit is custom assembled by us. If you don't like the cam options listed, let us know what you are looking for and we'll price it up for you if we can get that particular manufacturer/grind camshaft. Please feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions or if you would like to order a kit.
Thanks,

Harland

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Well PAW is just a dealer, no different than Napa or Summit. They make nothing, only sell the parts that are also available locally. I do not deal with PAW, I think they are way to high on most parts. I do better locally. Then there are these guys that sell also, that sell quality name brand parts.
Rebuild Kits (http://www.speedomotive.com/Rebuild%20Kits.htm)

[FSJ Thing]

I concur. I've only had one experience with PAW and it's not enough to form a valid opinion of them. I called to ask questions about there crank kit for the 360, talk to a very nice woman who knew nothing about engines, and after two minutes of telling her it was an AMC 360 and her responding by asking what vehicle it was for, and me telling her it was a Jeep, and her telling me that it was a JEEP 360 and not an AMC 360, and me telling her that the Jeeps came with an AMC 360, and her asking what AMC car the engine I was putting in my Jeep came out of I hung up. I'm sure that this isn't the norm, or they would go out of business really quick. After my experience with this 401 I got now, and the process of rebuilding it, I've found that my machinist can get parts and kits way cheaper than I can order them from anywhere.

[skid2964]

I'll just have to keep looking for a local machinist I can trust.

Thanks

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Most machine shops will give you a price break on an engine rebuild if you have them do the machine work required and supply the needed parts. That is the best way to go.

[FSJ Thing]

If yo can find a machinist you trust to do the work, but think he'd gouge you on parts, even thought you're putting it all together yourself, you can feel free to call my machinst:

Terry Bunker
Western Engine Supply
303-286-1903

And see what he'd charge you for parts and shipping. He sells misc parts on e-bay, so he's familiar with shipping stuff. Get a list of everything that comes in the PAW kit and ask him if he can put together a kit like that and how much it would cost. Just another thought!

trbunker1@earthlink.net

is his e-mial. I gave it to another member who talked to Terry, but I don't think anything came of it. Terry get's pretty busy, since all the local yokels are getting there junk ready for the summer racing season, but if you call him, he'll get answers for you quick and if you e-mail him, he can take a day or two. If you call him or e-mail him, let him know that "Matt with the 401" referred you. I don't get anything for referrals, but he's done a heck of a job for me and if he knows your a friend of mine, he'll probably hook you up with the same sweet deals. Good luck!

[tgreese]

Originally posted by Crazy_Jeepman:
Most machine shops will give you a price break on an engine rebuild if you have them do the machine work required and supply the needed parts. That is the best way to go.My experience too.

[Chero77]

Experiences vary. I have bought a number of parts from PAW and the sale reps have been very knowlegable. As for prices, PAW has the same prices as Summitt or Jegs. All three of these mail order firms are about the same, however PAW does carry a lot of stuff for AMCs which the other two don't have.

I also agree with CrazyJeepMan that buying the parts yourself and supplying them to a local machine shop is the best way to go. I would also reccomend getting a book on engine rebuilding. "How To Rebuld Your SBC" is fine. Just study the reccommened techniques and then make sure your local rebuilder does it that way. This will likely require some negotiation. I read a couple of engine rebuilding books and then talked to local rebuilders only to discover that few of them followed the practices reccomended in your typical "performance" rebuild book. Most shops are trying to crankout rebuilds as cheaply as possible and take all kinds of shortcuts.

So I guess the moral of the story is supply your own parts. Decide exactly what machining you want done, and perhaps more importantly how you want it done, and then choose a shop that will do it that way, and lastly make sure they actually do.