hello
since Chuck has now retired from building RDs due to his unfortunate situation
i am in a bit of a pickle.
Chuck has agreed to finish my crank since he has all the parts
but the rest of the engine still needs to be worked on
can someone guide me to another reputable engine builder please.
i was building a stage 2 long rod RD350 motor with WEBCO heads.
i also have a RD400 tranny
i have tried to get in touch with Ed / Garrett. is there any one else that you guys can recommend
thanks
There are (at least) two Eds: Erlenbach and Toomey, JT of RDsonly, Bill (?) Wilson, John Ritter might be persuaded, Wicked Motorsports come to mind. I won't name anymore who hasn't hung out a shingle as a professional, but there are some members on here with whom I'd trust my engine; maybe one of 'em needs a pre-winter project?
Quote from: 85RZwade on October 07, 2021, 09:28:39 AM
There are (at least) two Eds: Erlenbach and Toomey, JT of RDsonly, Bill (?) Wilson, John Ritter might be persuaded, Wicked Motorsports come to mind. I won't name anymore who hasn't hung out a shingle as a professional, but there are some members on here with whom I'd trust my engine; maybe one of 'em needs a pre-winter project?
John Ritter told me specifically that he is not doing any more work for a while. Hope that changes next year as I do have some stuff if he does.
Quote from: soonerbillz on October 07, 2021, 09:40:27 AM
Quote from: 85RZwade on October 07, 2021, 09:28:39 AM
There are (at least) two Eds: Erlenbach and Toomey, JT of RDsonly, Bill (?) Wilson, John Ritter might be persuaded, Wicked Motorsports come to mind. I won't name anymore who hasn't hung out a shingle as a professional, but there are some members on here with whom I'd trust my engine; maybe one of 'em needs a pre-winter project?
John Ritter told me specifically that he is not doing any more work for a while. Hope that changes next year as I do have some stuff if he does.
Same here.
My crank is with Ed Toomey. Get a hold of him and ask.
What work do you need and what parts?
You mention the 115mm crank, and fitting a 400 trans, but do you need ignition and porting and bead blast and carbs rebuilt etc or could you do some of that yourself.
Engine building typically takes a lot more time that is charged for. If you stripped and cleaned the cases and other parts that could reduce the time an engine builder has to take.
For example, simple things like cleaning the crankcases, getting the mating faces flat, countersinking all the screw holes etc take time for a builder, but you could do those at home with a little support. And that applies to side covers and so on. Take your time on jobs like that and farm out machining and porting if you feel up to it.
I saw an invoice of Chuck's on line recently and his parts bills were fair but he gave away his labor. He charged minimal amounts for things that just eat time. As a hobby that's fine to support the sport, but it's hard as a business building motors for people like us.
Quote from: 85RZwade on October 07, 2021, 09:28:39 AM
There are (at least) two Eds: Erlenbach and Toomey, JT of RDsonly, Bill (?) Wilson, John Ritter might be persuaded, Wicked Motorsports come to mind. I won't name anymore who hasn't hung out a shingle as a professional, but there are some members on here with whom I'd trust my engine; maybe one of 'em needs a pre-winter project?
i sent out a msg to Ed erlenbach over here but he hasnt responded yet.
i will google out the others you mentioned unless you have their contacts and try to reach out to them
thanks
Quote from: teazer on October 07, 2021, 10:50:55 AM
What work do you need and what parts?
You mention the 115mm crank, and fitting a 400 trans, but do you need ignition and porting and bead blast and carbs rebuilt etc or could you do some of that yourself.
Engine building typically takes a lot more time that is charged for. If you stripped and cleaned the cases and other parts that could reduce the time an engine builder has to take.
For example, simple things like cleaning the crankcases, getting the mating faces flat, countersinking all the screw holes etc take time for a builder, but you could do those at home with a little support. And that applies to side covers and so on. Take your time on jobs like that and farm out machining and porting if you feel up to it.
I saw an invoice of Chuck's on line recently and his parts bills were fair but he gave away his labor. He charged minimal amounts for things that just eat time. As a hobby that's fine to support the sport, but it's hard as a business building motors for people like us.
hi teazer
im from india so chuck was only building the top end , once done i was going to ship it to india
then i would just have a RD mechanic in india assemble it for me
well this is my parts list from chuck for my build
so now i still need to source most of the parts and find someone
to finish the build. chucks had just cleaned it up for me. ive attached the pics of what he had done
Parts
2) RD400 115mm rod kits
2) RD350 hollow crank
2) RM 125 rod bearings
1) Set of 4 "Made in Japan" main brgs
2) OEM base gaskets
1) Oem seal set
2) Oem reed gaskets
1) Oem Yamaha primary cover gasket
1) S.S. engine bolt kit RD350/400
2) Wiseco long rod piston kits
2) Snowmobile race pin brgs
1) YZ250 clutch kit
1) RD400 HD clutch springs
2) RD350/400 viton head orings
2) VM 30mm Carbs
2) 30-34mm Intake manifolds
1) TSR/Barlow designed boost bottle
2) Uni pod filters
2) V-Force YZ85 reeds
2) YZ 85/VF reed spacer kit with S.S. bolts and 2 oem reed gaskets
1) Set of 8 thicker headbolt washers
1) Crankshaft keyway seal
4) New hardened exhaust studs
1) Oil pump block off plate kit w/bolts
1) Good RD350 crank core
Labor
Rebuild crank complete
Bore,Hone and chamber cylinders
CNC decks and o-ring cylinders
Mill and recut squish
Stage 2 porting
Port intake for YZ85 reeds
Re-jet and machine slides to 3.0 30mm carbs
Glass bead cylinders
Glass bead heads
Ed Toomey. egtoome@hotmail.com
Lyn Garland
Quote from: Yamaha 179 on October 07, 2021, 05:04:50 PM
Ed Toomey. egtoome@hotmail.com
Lyn Garland
thanks
is this Ed toomeys page https://www.facebook.com/EdToomeyDesigns/
im impressed with the work wow
That's him
His email bounced back !!! It looks like that mail ID is not working
Does he reply on Facebook
Ed Erlenbach - his e-mail address is at the bottom of his home page here: http://erlenbachracing.co/
I have never spoken with Ed in person, only via e-mail and messages on this site. I think he checks his e-mails more often than the messaging here.
Gary at Spec2 is still working. He's always been backed up in my experience, if you're in a rush try someone else.
I've been working with Garrett gra2strokes.com Amner for years.
No complaints ever.
I do not believe EE is building engines nor does he have access to a machine shop.
+1 for Ed Toomey, he has all my gamma parts right now. He just moved from a 700 Sq ft shop to a 5000 sp ft shop. The man is busy!
Lyn Garland did my 400c crank. Nothing but good vibes about him. Din't have his contact info on me right now, but he is an inmate here.
Quote from: Striker1423 on October 07, 2021, 06:38:01 PM
That's him
his new email is egtoomey@gmail.com
i was able to reach him over FB
Quote from: pidjones on October 08, 2021, 07:36:59 AM
Lyn Garland did my 400c crank. Nothing but good vibes about him. Din't have his contact info on me right now, but he is an inmate here.
dosent Lyn garland go by Yamaha179
he just msged up here asking me to try Ed Toomey
i msged John Ritter he replied saying he is busy and retired and he has two overdue projects to deliver in november
i have also emailed Rdsonly but no answer
ive emailed Garrett and Ed toomey . both have been responsive
hopefully ill close with one of them
thanks for all the suggestions
I have been emailing Lyn about crank work myself, he is not doing any at this time and recommended Ed Toomey for my crank work. Lyn did my 350 crank for me and I wanted my 400 crank built by him, What about Economy cycle? They list crank service on the site.
spoke with Ed Toomey,and he will be doing my RD400 crank. Packing it up now. :clap: He does all levels of work, and was very helpful with info about the work he will be doing.
Be prepared to wait. He just moved shops and has a backlog of work. My cranks been with him for months already.
Quote from: Striker1423 on October 27, 2021, 07:02:42 AM
Be prepared to wait. He just moved shops and has a backlog of work. My cranks been with him for months already.
That's why I send my stuff to Garrett instead.