123-jn wrote:I still say why would you change parts that are within spec, just change the bits that are worn out as for the quality of the rebuild surely you put it together correctly taking the required care and it should be a good job and less than £3000? I just wanted an engine with the parts within spec put together properly to last at least 50,000 miles? I'm not sure that using pattern parts a really expensive one would really last any longer?
Because once you get properly INSIDE the engine, and start properly measuring bearings and cranks and conrods and everything else that _might_ wear, and properly replacing those bit that have, it'd inevitably become £3k quickly, unless you happened to start with an engine that needed very little in the first place - and why would that have come in as an exchange core?
It's the expectation that a "rebuild" should only last 50,000 miles that I find most depressing. We did nearly that mileage in a year and a half on our trip - on an original, slightly tired engine that's probably got north of four times that on it. And that engine gave us no problems or worries. It Just Worked. Why on earth shouldn't a proper rebuild do exactly the same?
OK, not many people need an engine that'll do another 200k without breaking into a sweat. But, equally, nobody needs to splunk a couple of grand (fitted, with all the other bits that get done whilst it's out) or more on an engine that'll start to show its true inner weariness again in 20k. Wouldn't you prefer to buy that much, much better option for another 50-75% on the total drive-in-drive-out cost? On a van that might be worth twice that total engine-swap bill, and the value of which might be enhanced by at least the cost difference for that better engine?
ghost123uk wrote:Also I don't understand why the likes of Elite don't offer a 2 tier service. They have all the facilities, skills and experience already in place. Sell a basic "repaired" engine as they do now, but also offer a bespoke "to your requirements" engine. Their kudos would increase as well.
It's very simple - because to do so would require them to admit that their current offering isn't a full rebuild. And, if they do that, then they lose out the low-cost market to all the similar other suppliers who wouldn't have such a sudden rush of honesty.
I hope I can be first in the queue 
Still learning...