Tell me about the quality of a Poorboys Performance Engines and Machine custom engine:
We are not engine assemblers here- we are custom
engine builders. After 60 plus years you see many
trends and "hot" companies
come and go. Whether it's bolting on heads and changing the
cam from a ZZ4 short block and calling it a "custom engine" or
just chasing the fast dollar with the old bait and switch-
we've seen it all.
You get exactly what you see from a Poorboys Performance Engines and Machine
custom engine. Everything we do is in the controlled "in house" environment
of our facility, which allows us to keep the variables under
our control. These engines are not mass produced out of the
country and then tweaked here in the U.S. These engines are
not assembled with a belief that the clearances are "just
good enough". These engines are produced with the
experience and knowledge of years in the business and
exactly what it
takes to manufacture the performance product you put
your hard earned money into.
Take our block work for example. We implore you to call up a
crate engine builder and ask them about their block machining
process. Ask them how they ensure proper piston to wall clearance.
Ask them if they square deck every block-even the new ones.
Ask them how they handle excessive main saddle clearances-even
on the new blocks. Ask them if the timing cover oil plugs are
the factory press fit freeze plugs, or if they have taken the
time to drill and tap them for true galley plugs. Ask them
about torque plate honing to ensure bore size concentricity....
Finally, just ask them point blank who assembles their short
blocks.
Still, there is more. Take new assembled cylinder heads for
example. Common sense would tell you that after spending $1600.00
on a set of performance aluminum cylinder heads that they would
be assembled correctly from the manufacturer. Most would just
bolt them on and go as the advertising says. We don't. More
than a few times we have seen that the manufacturers spring
pressure does not meet our demands or have found guide clearance
to be inadequate. Because we are custom builders we understand
that quality takes time and we take nothing for granted.
Bottom line- we put the time in to ensure that you don't
have to later. In effect we are the "ANTI-CRATE".
We know our reputation is on the line with every engine
we produce
so we only use name brand, time proven performance products.
We don't bypass processes during manufacturing, assembly,
or on the dyno. We also don't massage or misrepresent
our dyno
numbers. TOP
How
about your
engine blocks - new or seasoned?
We use both, depending on the application. I'm going
to dispel the myth of new versus seasoned right now.
We've heard all the
arguments about porosity, electrolysis, thin wall castings,
casting shift, etc. about seasoned blocks. We'll also
tell you that I've heard the same rants about the new
castings and their metallurgy, their inability to stay round
even with a torque plate, and their excessive
clearances
in cylinder and main housing areas. Anybody can twist
the story but the reality is both suit the needs for
their application.
In our mid horsepower applications we prefer to use the
seasoned blocks because in our opinion it is of a better
quality than
what is being produced now out of Mexico. We use new
blocks as we jump up the horsepower ladder, but we have
to raise the
price accordingly. Others will lessen the blow by using
inferior parts to keep the price down- don't be fooled
by that. We will
always refuse to let our quality become inferior. • TOP
Our
seasoned blocks all have been thoroughly cleaned, magna
fluxed, and in some cases sonic tested if we feel
cylinder
castings are an issue. Seasoned blocks are bored, square
decked, torque plate honed, plateau finish honed, and
align honed to
better than factory specs. All new blocks (DART, etc.)
go through the same checks and are machined accordingly
and where necessary
to ensure the specs are to our satisfaction. • TOP
Are you running roller camshafts with your engines?
Yes. All of our performance custom crate combinations
use roller camshafts because of their improved hardness
and friction reduction
over hydraulic flat tappet applications. In addition,
the majority of today's affordable over the counter motor
oils are not manufactured
with street performance in mind. They are manufactured
for tighter toleranced, pollution controlled, computer
controlled
vehicles.
Lubricating minerals like zinc have been removed for
emission control, and blended, oxygenated gasoline is
becoming more
prevalent. This means that in an environment of reduced
viscosity and higher engine temperature for camshafts,
it is an absolute
necessity.
It might mean that combination costs a little bit more,
but it saves from being a lot later. • TOP
Can
I run pump gas with your
engines? What about stall converters?
The majority of our combinations are geared for everyday
performance and should be run with pump gas.
Depending on engine application, anywhere from a 2000
to 3000 rpm stall speed converter should be used. On
our engine pages,
we recommend which ones should be used. • TOP
What does Dyno
Tested mean?
After getting set up, we: break in the camshaft, set
the timing and idle, check for lean or rich conditions,
and check vacuum
and water temperature. During that time we also have
the ability to make the little adjustments necessary
to get the most out
of the combination. After we are finished with any
modifications we let her rip.
During the dyno pulls we are getting real horsepower
and torque readings from the flywheel and showing you
its approximate
capabilities. There are no questions about your engine
because it is all there in print.
We are also taking the engine past its comfortable
RPM range to ensure we have done our job as engine
builders
correctly.
This is the most extreme condition your engine should
ever see, and the sheer fact it's still in one piece
after we push
it to the max is evidence enough that your engine will
have the durability to match its performance. • TOP
After the dyno, we then: pull the valve covers and
cut the oil filter to ensure we have the engine's integrity
intact.
After reassembly and some touch ups it's all yours.
There are a few points to this we would like to stress:
We take the time on the dyno with each and every one
of our "dyno
packages" to ensure the engine runs to its stated
specifications. There is no pre-manufactured dyno
sheet from us.
All of our
dyno video and numbers were run by an independent,
third party
dyno to
stress the validity and integrity of our numbers.
Many of our customers request that they be present
during our dyno sessions. For them it is not only
enjoyable, but also educational as they see the preparation
and detail that goes into the process. We have absolutely zero issue
with anyone who has purchased one of our packages
being
present for any dyno session on
their engine. • TOP
Why is Dyno Testing
so important?
To be completely blunt: it saves you money in the long run.
Here is a very simple example. We are on the dyno running
one of our CH383 Performers before shipment and the carburetor,
which we are using,
is puking
fuel from the float area. Fuel has flooded the cylinders and the
manifold valley to the point where we are shaking our heads.
The majority of our combinations are geared for everyday performance
and can be ran on pump gas.
Keep this in mind:
a) we haven't even fired the engine yet
b) these are name brand proven performance parts
Imagine having this problem in chassis, however. The overall assumption
is that out of the box these parts should function without an issue.
Before we
have even fired the engine we had an extra 90 minutes of modification
and cleanup until we just tossed the carb as junk and installed another.
What could have happened though if you purchased a non-dyno tested
engine? Would you have caught the fuel issue before startup and any
major damage
occurred? Would the company you purchased that engine from believe
that it was a carburetor
related issue? How much fighting would it take just for your claim
to be resolved and before you were back into your project or on the
road?
The dyno test ends all of those issues and puts your mind at ease.
It is the classic saying: "pay a little more now to avoid paying a lot more later". • TOP
Where
can I find your warranty?
Our warranty is on the Info Center/Warranty
page located off the
home page. Although it is not extensive as others offering second
party warranties,
we back
our products ourselves.
We have been asked many times why we offer only a one-year warranty
on the dyno packages and my answer is simple: we are not hiding
behind the illusion
of
a second year which excludes everything. When you really look at
a
warranty — regardless of the years — it boils down
to a one-year written limited warranty. As
the second or third year factors in, look at what is being excluded
and what is not being
paid for should failure occur. In reality, you only had a one-year
warranty when you thought you had two or maybe three.
• TOP
Is there anything
else we
should know?
First, as a custom builder we offer many more combinations than
what is posted on the site. If you don't see it, call or email
us and
we will provide you
with a quote.
If you understand that qualities such as knowledge, experience,
and dedication to a product all factor into the total package
for customer
satisfaction...
If you believe that a customer should get what they pay for and
not be under whelmed by a product...
If you are a proponent of the "Anti-Crate"...
Then you are a Poorboys Performance Engines and Machine customer!
—Poorboys Performance Engines and Machine
You get exactly what you see from a Poorboys Performance Engines and Machine
custom engine. Everything we do is in the controlled "in house" environment
of our facility, which allows us to keep the variables under
our control. These engines are not mass produced out of the
country and then tweaked here in the U.S. These engines are
not assembled with a belief that the clearances are "just
good enough". These engines are produced with the
experience and knowledge of years in the business and
exactly what it
takes to manufacture the performance product you put
your hard earned money into.
Bottom line- we put the time in to ensure that you don't
have to later. In effect we are the "ANTI-CRATE".
We know our reputation is on the line with every engine
we produce
so we only use name brand, time proven performance products.
We don't bypass processes during manufacturing, assembly,
or on the dyno. We also don't massage or misrepresent
our dyno
numbers.
Our
seasoned blocks all have been thoroughly cleaned, magna
fluxed, and in some cases sonic tested if we feel
cylinder
castings are an issue. Seasoned blocks are bored, square
decked, torque plate honed, plateau finish honed, and
align honed to
better than factory specs. All new blocks (DART, etc.)
go through the same checks and are machined accordingly
and where necessary
to ensure the specs are to our satisfaction. • 
After the dyno, we then: pull the valve covers and
cut the oil filter to ensure we have the engine's integrity
intact.
After reassembly and some touch ups it's all yours. 
