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Schoolcraft engine

DieselCash

DieselCash

Trust but, verify
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I found this site.

As I was reading on the buid up of this engine I was sold on it till I saw the price of it. I feel the build up of the engine is top notch. I can not justify our afford the price of it(that and I do not need an engine at the moment). I do have a few questions about it;

Is everything they do needed for a 6.5TD?

Would you buy this engine?

If you could afford this engine would you purchase it?

Thanks,
 
Do some searching on the old site for username ronniejoe

Make your own decision about his character.

I'm sure his engines are good - I am not sure about how he would treat his customers...I know I wouldn't buy anything from him....
 
I think he needs a reality check on his engine price, 10600 plus an 1800 core if you need one.
Even if your old block was still good, the latest AMG motor would be a better buy, even if you had to pull the heads and pan to use lower comp pistons you would be miles ahead in durability vs an old seasoned block with weak points you can't eliminate.
I will say Ron is doing the best as far as a rebuilt goes but to risk it on an old block would be crazy.
 
vs an old seasoned block with weak points you can't eliminate
Click to expand...

I dunno about that -- Bill Heath uses old seasoned blocks - On purpose. There was a great thread concerning this just a week or so ago.

I think he needs a reality check on his engine price
Click to expand...
Yes sir! Too high.

OR - DIY and save $$$$$.

While I realize that not everyone has the time, tools, space, etc., or can have the vehicle down long enough to do a rebuild themselves. There ain't too much more funner than when an engine that you built yourself fires up that first time. Even better if it keeps running. :smile5:
 
I know the older motors can be built but with all the broken blocks out there why risk it and for over 10 grand you would be crazy to.
If this was something you were doing yourself for less than half of the new engine, sure it would be worth it but for the guy writing a check for a complete package AMG is the way to go.
 
I "get" making the most of what you have. I love what TD and Snowdrift and others have done to and with their 6.5s. I understand why Heath continues to pursue 6.5 performance long after the likes of Kennedy et al have moved on. I get why Robyn "stitches" together old blocks to keep them on the road....

I don't "get" balls-to-the-walls builds of these things for the average user. A decent used Dmax (or 6bt) can be had for ~ $4K+/-. How much to pay someone else to do the entire conversion? I am thinking it could be had for under $6k.

I also agree with Chris; reading old posts will help you take measure of the person offering the services you are considering...
 
If I was gonna pay that much for an engine, it wouldn't be there.

Think Penninsular.
 
JiFaire said:
If I was gonna pay that much for an engine, it wouldn't be there.

Think Penninsular.
Click to expand...

I just wish their website was better! It gets expensive calling people from here! That and I enjoy surfing the net! I do like penninsular, they have been around a while and to me are battle proven!
 
Well, it looks like I'm in the minority here. I'm comfortable turning a wrench, but as I've never done anything of this magnitude, I wasn't going to start on my Sub's engine :nono:. Besides, with two small kids, two jobs, and of course my wife - spare time is not my friend.
Ron has been nothing but a gentleman to me. I had many conversations with him before I shipped my engine to him. I believe he is first and foremost a true family man. He was, and is, always available to answer questions. I realize I paid more than some other places, but I truly believe I received a premium product. I'm not saying Penninsular is crap - far from it - they have quite a good reputation and their engine would be a fine choice. But in conversations, I just felt more comfortable with Ron. I also think he did some extra things that other places don't do. When I added up all the "extras" it wasn't really that much more.
Either way, everyone needs to make up their own mind. But for me, I am completely satisfied. I'm towing a 10,000 lb boat - and boats are absolutely horrific when it come to aerodynamics - and I can go up a long hill, at highway speeds with the go pedal mashed to the floor and my EGT's never went above 950*. After towing a few thousand miles with it now, I would actually be comfortable letting someone else drive my truck while towing my boat - even if they don't know how to read gauges.
Anyways, like I said, everyone has - and is absolutely entitled to - their own opinion. All I'm saying is don't count him out by strictly looking at the final bill.

He's also done this stuff to his own engine. Ron has also been responsible for much of the technical articles written on The Page.
 
No one said Ron wasn't a bad guy, or a good person. His products are priced according to what the sale / market will bear. The page guys poo pooed the ATT turbo project because it wasn't theirs. That being said Ron's turbo set up is almost 2/3 more in price, maybe it is worth it, most of us can't afford or justify spending that kind of money.

Any purchase is based on what the perceived worth is, human nature is such that the more I spend the better product I get: not always true.

My father used to tell me ("if you are happy with it that is all that matters") it is not my, or anyone else's place to pass any judgment. I for one left the page because the resident experts stifled new ideas / products from others, and I couldn't afford their products at the time. Business is Business and I for one like :mad2: my cash in my pocket and want to pay what I consider reasonable for a product.:rolleyes5:

This is just my two cents worth
 
I'm in eastern PA. I fixed my profile so it's listed there, now.

I know what some of you are referring to when you talk about his posts on The Page. His posts tend to come off as short tempered. But trust me, when you talk to him on the phone or via e-mails, it's the complete opposite. There were many times when we had conversations of 45 minutes. In fact, I was the one to end the conversation - he was always more than happy to explain things to me over and over until I got it.
 
That's nuts! Get a P400 from Peninsular for less money, then you don't need all the fancy splayed parts. If my crank or block had been fubar, that's what I would have bought. I almost bought it anyway, but I had mine done locally for $2900.

P400 has forged crank and integrated cast girdle/main cap assembly.

$500 for port matching an engine that revs to 3500 rpm? Spend the money on the custom oil pan you'll need for the P400.
 
Thank you for all the responses I have got on this post.

I really just wanted to see how many people would spend over 10 grand on a 6.5TD.

From what I have read, not very many.
 
mitchedo said:
That's nuts! Get a P400 from Peninsular for less money, then you don't need all the fancy splayed parts. If my crank or block had been fubar, that's what I would have bought. I almost bought it anyway, but I had mine done locally for $2900.

P400 has forged crank and integrated cast girdle/main cap assembly.

$500 for port matching an engine that revs to 3500 rpm? Spend the money on the custom oil pan you'll need for the P400.
Click to expand...

How much does that P400 cost and exactly what is included? Are the manifolds and turbo on it?
 
I would not pay over 10 thousand for a 6.5 but that just my opinion. I might if i was doing my own build and going all out. Just my opinion though.
 
Ron is a different type of personality. He is self admittedly very forward and opinionated, sometimes to a fault. However, He seems to be very competent and has his own ideas of what to do with his engine builds.

I can say that the two people I know who have his stuff like them, but yeah it's a lot of bread compared to other builders.
 
Slim Shady said:
No one said Ron wasn't a bad guy, or a good person. His products are priced according to what the sale / market will bear. The page guys poo pooed the ATT turbo project because it wasn't theirs. That being said Ron's turbo set up is almost 2/3 more in price, maybe it is worth it, most of us can't afford or justify spending that kind of money.

Any purchase is based on what the perceived worth is, human nature is such that the more I spend the better product I get: not always true.

My father used to tell me ("if you are happy with it that is all that matters") it is not my, or anyone else's place to pass any judgment. I for one left the page because the resident experts stifled new ideas / products from others, and I couldn't afford their products at the time. Business is Business and I for one like :mad2: my cash in my pocket and want to pay what I consider reasonable for a product.:rolleyes5:

This is just my two cents worth
Click to expand...

Whats so special about his turbo?? Seams to me that the ATT dos pretty good for its self.
 
Well, if we were to hijack this thread, then what is the best bang for the buck in terms of drop-in complete engine?

-Rob ;)
 
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