Questions we actually get.

Depends on what matters to you. A crate engine is faster to install and cheaper upfront, but it's not your original block. A numbers-matching rebuild on a documented car preserves provenance and can significantly affect resale value. A custom stock rebuild also lets you specify correct casting codes, date codes, and original specs in ways a crate engine never will. If the car's history matters, the rebuild is usually the right call.

By default, the builder sources all parts as part of the build quote. This is standard practice — builders have supplier relationships and can be accountable for part quality when they source the components. If you have specific parts you want used (a cam grind you've already ordered, donor heads you're supplying), that's negotiated with the builder upfront and documented in the build agreement before work begins.

Expect 8–16 weeks from the time your core arrives at the builder's shop. Machine shop availability is the primary variable — quality shops run full schedules. Builders who quote 3–4 weeks are either skipping steps or haven't looked at their calendar. CrankForge shows each builder's current estimated lead time before you commit, so you know what you're signing up for.

Discovered damage — cracked blocks, bores beyond serviceable limits, spun bearings that damaged the crank — gets photographed, documented, and communicated to you with options. Minor issues are quoted as add-ons. Major issues that change the build scope significantly result in revised pricing, which you approve before work continues. You're never surprised by a bill you didn't authorize.

The $500 deposit reserves your build slot with a specific builder. It holds your place in their queue while you arrange core shipping and finalize build details. The deposit is credited toward your total build cost — it's not a fee on top of the build price. Refund terms vary by builder and are disclosed clearly before you pay.

Any change to the build plan — different parts, a discovered issue requiring additional work, a spec adjustment — requires your approval before the builder proceeds. Nothing gets added to your bill without your sign-off. If a dispute arises that can't be resolved directly, CrankForge mediates based on the documented build agreement and logged communications.

Both options exist depending on which builder you're matched with. CrankForge includes builders across the US, so a local or regional match is often possible. If no local builder specializes in your platform, freight shipping is the path — your core ships on a pallet via LTL freight. The configurator shows builder locations so you can factor geography into your decision before choosing.

The owner is responsible for shipping the core to the builder and back. Shipping costs vary by location and engine weight — a typical bare big-block pallet ships for $150–$350 each way via LTL freight. Builders provide packaging guidance and can sometimes arrange pickup through their freight accounts at reduced rates. This is disclosed upfront so there are no surprises in your final cost.

Currently, CrankForge operates with builders in the United States only. International shipping of engine cores involves customs complexity and freight costs that vary significantly by country and engine type. We're focused on building the best domestic network first. If you're outside the US, reach out — we can let you know when international builder coverage is available.

Warranty terms are set by each builder and vary — typically 12 months or 12,000 miles on parts and labor, with specific exclusions for wear items and improper installation. Every builder's warranty terms are posted on their profile before you commit. CrankForge requires all builders to carry liability coverage and stand behind their work in writing — builder profiles that don't meet this standard don't stay on the platform.

Every CrankForge build produces a complete digital build record: machining measurements (bore, stroke, deck height, rod and main clearances), parts list with brand and part number for every component, photo documentation at each build stage, and a dyno sheet with torque and horsepower curves. This record ships with the engine and is stored permanently in your account — accessible whenever you need it.

Yes. Builders log updates at each milestone — core inspection, machine work, short-block assembly, head work, final assembly, and dyno. You receive notifications when updates are posted and can view photos, measurements, and notes at each stage. There's no black-box period where your engine disappears for three months with no communication.

Vetting is not a checkbox — it's a qualification process. CrankForge verifies business credentials, reviews past build documentation, confirms machining equipment capabilities (in-house vs. outsourced), and checks references from past customers. Builders who can't produce documented past work don't get listed. The network stays intentionally small — we'd rather have 20 builders we trust completely than 200 we're unsure about.

CrankForge focuses on classic American muscle car engines: small-block and big-block Chevrolet, Ford Windsor and Cleveland, Chrysler B/RB and Hemi, Pontiac 400/455, Oldsmobile 442, and Buick 455. If you're unsure whether your engine qualifies, run it through the configurator — we'll tell you upfront rather than have you invest time in a build request that won't go anywhere.