Oregon Engine Rebuilders

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I purchased a 3.0 from them earlier this year and am satisfied. I've put about 5,000 miles on it with no issues so far but it's early.
 
i live in the PNW, i have run into many guys that swear by them and some that swear at them. Most seem to be satisfied.
 
I've never used ORE. Near as I can tell they had a rep as a great shop once upon a time, then the owner had some health trouble and things went downhill. Supposedly he's back now and righted the ship.

PMC Machine looks sketchy, see my reply in your other thread.

I think if I were going to order a long block through the mail instead of having somebody local do it, I'd go to Putnams (22REperformance.com). They're spendy, but they're the one outfit I haven't heard anything bad about yet.
 
I've never used ORE. Near as I can tell they had a rep as a great shop once upon a time, then the owner had some health trouble and things went downhill. Supposedly he's back now and righted the ship.

PMC Machine looks sketchy, see my reply in your other thread.

I think if I were going to order a long block through the mail instead of having somebody local do it, I'd go to Putnams (22REperformance.com). They're spendy, but they're the one outfit I haven't heard anything bad about yet.

Yea I was on the phone w 22RE Performance yesterday. Def a consideration. What about Jasper? Anybody had experience w them?
 
What about Jasper? Anybody had experience w them?

Hit or miss, just like any other bulk rebuilder. If you're going to go that route, take your truck to a mechanic and have THEM order the motor from whoever they choose to order it from, that way if there's trouble with the new block it's between the mechanic and the rebuilder. If you order it and put it in yourself, you're likely screwed if something goes bad.
 
Hit or miss, just like any other bulk rebuilder. If you're going to go that route, take your truck to a mechanic and have THEM order the motor from whoever they choose to order it from, that way if there's trouble with the new block it's between the mechanic and the rebuilder. If you order it and put it in yourself, you're likely screwed if something goes bad.

Yea I would def have a shop install the motor. With Jasper they give you a 3 year guarantee between the engine and the shop. BUT, the quote I got from Jasper was more than 22RE Performance...not by much, but I was still surprised. 22RE Performance has a one-year warranty, but apparently no one has ever had to use it b/c they build em right. Not to mention I would have the installer warrant his work if I went w 22REP, so that side would be covered.
 
Yea I would def have a shop install the motor. With Jasper they give you a 3 year guarantee between the engine and the shop. BUT, the quote I got from Jasper was more than 22RE Performance...not by much, but I was still surprised. 22RE Performance has a one-year warranty, but apparently no one has ever had to use it b/c they build em right. Not to mention I would have the installer warrant his work if I went w 22REP, so that side would be covered.

Right, but if you order the motor from your choice of provider and then there's a problem with the motor itself, the installer will probably tell you you can pay him again to pull it and ship it back and install another or you can pound sand. If you let him supply the motor from his choice of provider and then there's a problem with it, that's his problem to make right and not yours. See what I'm saying?

When you try to dictate to a mechanic where he gets his parts from, you are generally absolving him of the responsibility to warranty those parts if they turn out bad. That can be bad when those parts cost hundreds of dollars to ship back to the builder.
 
You can take your block to engnbldr in Portland have him put it back together. I don't think he installs them. But you could then find a shop to put it in.


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Right, but if you order the motor from your choice of provider and then there's a problem with the motor itself, the installer will probably tell you you can pay him again to pull it and ship it back and install another or you can pound sand. If you let him supply the motor from his choice of provider and then there's a problem with it, that's his problem to make right and not yours. See what I'm saying?

When you try to dictate to a mechanic where he gets his parts from, you are generally absolving him of the responsibility to warranty those parts if they turn out bad. That can be bad when those parts cost hundreds of dollars to ship back to the builder.

That's a great point.

Here are my thoughts today.

Option 1 - I go with a local pro shop who chooses the engine - most likely from Jasper, Powertrain, Etc.
Have them warrant the work and motor.

Option 2 - I go with a local pro shop and dictate that I want to use Putney's (22RE perfermance) engine. The shop warrants their labor.
I get a 1-year engine warranty w 22RE Performance. About the same cost as Option 1.

Option 3 - I have a guy about an hour away who has worked on these trucks for 11 years. Knows 22RE's inside and out.
Not a "Pro" shop, but will warrant his labor. I have him put in Putney's 22RE.

**My thoughts right now are to go w Option 3 for a few reasons:
A - Putney has the best reputation, hands down. Seems like there's him and then all the other engine rebuilders. Customer service is great - looks like Putney is there to answer all questions throughout the process. I have not seen one negeative review.

B - Jasper engines, Powertrain, etc - are (as stated above) hit or miss. They might make a "decent" product...maybe ok for 30, 40, 50K, but ultimately not as precise as the stock engine. I've spoken to a few shops who say they have never had a Jasper come back, but there are some nasty reviews out there.Yea they have a warranty, but make it a PITA if you ever have to use it. A lot of products have come back multimple times, and they only cover so much. Just becuase its under warranty does not mean it's 100% bulletproof. Consumer reports reviews on Jasper are brutal...apparently they ask their machanics to give them good reviews to counter the bad.

C - With option 3, I would save a big chunk of change on the install. Probably close to $1000. Set that $ aside for incidentals, so if anything did go wrong, I'd have $ to ship it back, etc. I would argue it's less of a risk.

D - Would you rather buy an 89 4Runner with Putney's Engine or just a remanufactured engine?

Option 4 - looking into seeing if my engine is salvageable and can be re-build. We will have to inspect the low end and see if it can be bored out. Still pricey...
 
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I'm always a proponent of rebuilding instead of buying new, and whatever you choose I think you should nut up and do it yourself instead of paying somebody else. If those two things are off the table for whatever reason, then I think a Putneys block and local "enthusiast" installer is a good call.

One thing - there's a reason your guy isn't a professional mechanic. That may be because he doesn't want to be, or it may be because he sucks and has no attention to detail. Is he well known in your local community of Toyota guys? If not, can you get references?
 
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I'm always a proponent of rebuilding instead of buying new, and whatever you choose I think you should nut up and do it yourself instead of paying somebody else. If those two things are off the table for whatever reason, then I think a Putneys block and local "enthusiast" installer is a good call.

One thing - there's a reason your guy isn't a professional mechanic. That may be because he doesn't want to be, or it may be because he sucks and has no attention to detail. Is he well known in your local community of Toyota guys? If not, can you get references?

My engine was already rebuilt at 423K by the previous owner. Taken to a machine shop - bored over, etc...I've got the records. I picked it up a year ago w about 436K and it blew a gasket last week at 445K. It's knocking...last guy to look at it said sounds like lower end. So, I'm not particuarly confident about rebuilding it again. We'll open it up and take a look at it - but the machine shop I know around here is not cheap...I'd still be spending some coin on the rebuild...I def have not ruled it out, but my gut says don't get my hopes up.

I was referred to this guy who has his own shop by another 4runner enthusiast. I will ask for more references, but from what I understand he knows the 22RE quite well and only works on toyotas. He was a diesel mechanic for years and this is what he does full time. To confirm, when I said not a "pro" shop, it's a cash only kind of thing...I have not committed to him yet, but I am told he is qualified. Either way, all good points to certainly take into account. And if I go w Putney, I've got six months to find an installer!
 
I purchased a 3.0 from them earlier this year and am satisfied. I've put about 5,000 miles on it with no issues so far but it's early.

Quick Update! The engine I purchased from them in June blew another head gasket today. John at Oregon Engines assured me that there was not way it was any fault of Oregon Engines and they would not be paying for the repairs. So, I would no longer say I am satisfied with their product.

Here is their warranty by the way: "Oregon Engine Rebuilders was established in 1983 and remanufactures all types of engines for automotive, light truck, industrial and marine applications. Our car and light truck engines come with a LIFE TIME UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTEE to the original buyer. As long as you own your vehicle, we will stand behind our product. If you have any problem with the motor, just return it to our shop and we will repair it free of charge, as long as it has not been abused, no matter how many miles have been put on it! This kind of offer is unheard of in the industry and the only exception is industrial, commercial or marine units."
 
Quick Update! The engine I purchased from them in June blew another head gasket today. John at Oregon Engines assured me that there was not way it was any fault of Oregon Engines and they would not be paying for the repairs. So, I would no longer say I am satisfied with their product.

Here is their warranty by the way: "Oregon Engine Rebuilders was established in 1983 and remanufactures all types of engines for automotive, light truck, industrial and marine applications. Our car and light truck engines come with a LIFE TIME UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTEE to the original buyer. As long as you own your vehicle, we will stand behind our product. If you have any problem with the motor, just return it to our shop and we will repair it free of charge, as long as it has not been abused, no matter how many miles have been put on it! This kind of offer is unheard of in the industry and the only exception is industrial, commercial or marine units."

Did you return the motor to them as required and stated in their warranty? What exactly did you purchase from them? I purchased a 3.0 long block a year ago and I've had no problem with it. Just wondering.
 
Any more info on this? Recommending them to a friend because they're local, and the "warranty". Interested in hearing how this goes.
 
Any more info on this? Recommending them to a friend because they're local, and the "warranty". Interested in hearing how this goes.

I purchased their "Toyota 3VZE 3.0L "Super Stock" 4-Runner, pick-up re-man longblock" through Ebay. I paid $1995 and thought I was receiving an quality reman engine with a LIFE TIME UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY. They have refused to honor the warranty, despite the fact that the engine failed at just under 5,000 miles.

John from Oregon Engines spoke to me on the phone and accepted no responsibility. He said based on his 30 years of experience that the head gasket could not have failed as a result of the engine he sold me. He said a blown head gasket was not covered by their warranty. Now, I understand that these engines are notorious for blown head gaskets and I wouldn't expect Oregon Engines to repair a blown head gasket after 100,000 miles. I would expect them to cover a blown head gasket in the first 6 months and 5,000 miles.

Oregon Engine did not offer to do the repair or replace the head gasket even if I shipped the engine back to him. They offered to send a new gasket set or if I had the engine pulled and shipped back to him, they would inspect it to see if there was some other problem such as a warped head and they would repair that.

So my two real options were to spend $1200 to have the engine pulled shipped to and from Oregon Engines who would still charge me to replace the head gasket unless they diagnosed some other problem.

I can have the head gasket replaced locally for under $1000 so that's the option I am going with. I will say that John at Oregon Engines was polite on the phone and did ship the new gasket set right away, but I am obviously dissatisfied with their product and warranty. There are multiple complaints about there refusal to honor warranty with the BBB.
 
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