yes Dean builds some great engines, no doubt... there are MANY boats with good running Gellners out there.

I'm not going to dip my toe in this one, but;

Tim, you have an advantage that you do all of your own assembly, and I assume, rigging. That's pretty huge. I don't know all of your details, but it sounds like you use your engine builder to basically machine then advise on parts, combinations, and so forth. A big difference between that and paying someone to start from scratch, source and purchase all parts, rig fuel, oil, and water, bellhousing, starters, electrical, etc., then dyno.

My point being is you do alot, if not, the majority of the work. Very smart and you can save both time and money, if you are capable, and have the tools & facility to do so.

I would probably not tackle custom built 1000+ hp units that cost a bunch only to sling a rod or something stupid after a few hours. Do I want to? Yes because I like that stuff. Is it a smart decision for me? No.

Granted there are resonable time frames for everything, and I agree, you can go as far as a contract that spells everything out. I guess I still believe in "handshake deals", and paying on time.

I too am interested in hearing about other capable builders for high end stuff with good customer experiences. I hope this thread doesn't turn ugly, please make it positive and useful for other members.

Everybody has there favorite but since we are talking time frame here are 2 examples...
Potter did mine in about a month in a half last winter, and that was with the Holidays thrown in there as well.... my buddy dropped his fountain off at Potter last summer and flew back in 3 weeks and picked it up.. see his & my testimonial below!!

http://www.potterperformance.com/STEVEDALY.html

http://www.potterperformance.com/PATDOLAN.html

I totally know your situation, and agree, many things come to play, thats not always the case, Dean can build one hell of an engine, no doubt at all... I am in no way trying to get a bashing thread even though thats gonna happen, just trying to get some little guys some credit so less guys get screwed. I do however chose my own combos and parts, I am also not building crazy engines for my boat and that helps, Ray is very good at combos also, but he has not dont a ton of boat engin es either, yet he has built some very good reliable marine engines, there is a ton that goes into 900HP and up engines and that takes LOTS of boat engine experience that Dean does have, Freds Nortech made 1590HP with Gellner builds, boat runs EVERY weekend..... no issues... that takes amazing talent!

Yes I would love for this to stay on a positive note.....there are enough bashing threads on engine guys...

My drag engine builder was KTR race engines, but he has since gotten away from engine building. As stated, people want something for nothing, that's why he has left the engine market.

I have since switched to Paul Pionessa. He has his own shop locally and also is a machinist at J& L Performance. He has some 30 years experience. He did all the machine work on my 355 block and is going to set up my bearing tolerances so I can reassemble with no issues.

Personally if I were to shop around for a shop I`d avoid the one`s that look like a bomb went off.. clean shop would be a good indication to me.

Check out Performance Marine and Jason Saris.

As much experience as anyone in the industry. Outstanding work and a straight shooter. I highly recomend anyone looking to have work done give them a call.

I don't have much boating experience so my experience with the industry as a whole is extremely limited. I have however had one engine built by Ron Potter as he is local to me. Cleanest shop I have ever seen, very professional and worked within my timeline. The engine has performed flawlessly and the whole process was seamless. He even called me the evening of the day I was to take my boat out for the first time to make sure all was well. My engine was a mild build by comparison and he treated me as I was spending big money.

He called you because the guy cares about his work and your satisfaction more so than bending you over and bleeding every penny from you. These type of people are getting harder to find.