RD350 engine builders suggestions

[kar1zma]

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

[85RZwade]

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?

[soonerbillz]

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.

[Striker1423]

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.

[teazer]

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. 

[kar1zma]

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

[kar1zma]

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       

[Yamaha 179]

Ed Toomey. egtoome@hotmail.com
Lyn Garland

[kar1zma]

Ed Toomey. egtoome@hotmail.com
Lyn Garland

thanks
is this Ed toomeys page https://www.facebook.com/EdToomeyDesigns/

im impressed with the work wow

[Striker1423]

That's him

[kar1zma]

His email bounced back !!! It looks like that mail ID is not working
Does he reply on Facebook

[Hawaii-Mike]

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.

[pdxjim]

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.

[2 Stroke Jamoke]

+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!

[pidjones]

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.