Cricket Engines Performance

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Nunya Bizness
4 months ago
Everybody I just wanted to let you know that Cricket Engines Performance is the place to get any type of work done , weather it's rebuilding a moter to pulling a dent out of your vehicle. There friendly and meet all customer standards and customer satisfaction is there # 1 thing. If I could give more stars then I'd give them a .

  Z. G.
7 years ago
I'm torn on this review. If I was going based on worker personality the rating would be better. I recently bought an engine from Cricket and it looks great and the price seemed right. I bought it after I heard it run for a few seconds on the stand, it ran great on the stand. I got the engine home and put it in my car and things weren't running 100% correct. First fire-up when I got it home blew out the cork gasket under the valve covers. A trip to the parts store to get new gaskets and I was on my way. The engine came under carbed, but I was told this so an 870 Holley was added. I then took it to another reputable shop to have it tuned again closer to home. While there they determined that the intake is horrible and wouldn't allow the throttle to completely open so it needed to be shaved down on the side, plus the casting is so poor on it in the inside, not only that but the distributor is unable to be bolted down tight to it due to loose fittings between the intake and distributor so it won't hold a time. The fuel pump will put 6psi in at startup but after the engine warms up fuel pressure drops considerably. Needless to say I'll have an extra $1000 in to the engine to get parts that are of better quality and more reliable and hopefully I'll be good to go after that.

  Ken Hennaut
5 years ago
We bought an engine from them a few years ago. Went this way to save time. The first one right away had a dead cylinder so called and they swapped it out right away. I was happy that they did that because I know things happen I was not to upset. Now the second engine seemed to be better but within 100 miles we had to replace the fuel pump due to it leaking everywhere. The starter failed within 500 miles. Couldn't get the carb tuned to the engine so swapped that out to. Made a huge difference. Kept having problems keeping it timed. Then jumped time. Pulled distributor and the teeth on the cam were completely worn off due to the wrong gear on the distributor. Now a new oil pump and cam and distributor was in order. Wanted to keep same cam specs but the cam didn't even match the cam sheet given to us. My advice build your own so you can put quality parts in and on the engine.

  Delilah Ross
4 months ago
I love this place and my dad will always try to make every person feel like home and meet ur standards

  Curtis washburn
5 years ago
I am extremely please with my 347 stroker engine. I have had zero issues. I could not have found a better place to buy this engine for my 65 Mustang. Professionally built and arrived on time. Thanks I will definitely be buying another engine from Cricket Engine performance for my next project.

  Scott Tausch
4 years ago
TERRIBLE WORKMANSHIP AND OWNERSHIP!!! Do not buy an engine from Cricket Engines!! Just dont do it. I DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START. Im not going into detail because it would take a whole day to type. Poor quality. Allan won't take responsibility for their mess ups. I believe a 5 year old put my engine together. I feel like i got robbed out of my first real muscle car experience. Ya live and ya learn just take my word so you dont have to Learn like i did from my mistake and buy a QUALITY engine elsewhere even if it cost more!!! If i could chose no stars i would have.

  Maureen Hammond
5 years ago
Purchased turnkey Chevy 350 short block in 2016. Kept in heated shop until installed in project in April 2018.1. After filling rad and engine with coolant the water pump began to leak from the drain hole before the engine was fired up. Cannot blame Allan for this as it was obviously a manufacturing defect. Allan quite sympathetic and was kind enough to sell me a replacement.2. When first attempting to start the engine it was determined the timing was way off. Did not expect this as the engine was supposedly dynoed before shipment.3. After adjusting the timing and starting the engine it was noted the clear fuel filter installed ahead of the carb did not completely fill. Did not think too much of it until the vehicle stalled on the highway due to lack of fuel. After much trouble shooting it was determined that the fuel pump push rod had worn down 1/4" on the end riding on the cam. See attached photo; the rod is 5 1/2" - it is supposed to be 5 3/4". Replaced with OEM rod after which the fuel filter completely filled with gas. Notified Allan that the after market rod he used was defective in order that he would be aware. I suspect there was wear on the rod even before I first started the engine as the fuel pump was not providing strong flow from the start. The engine was long off warranty so I expected no compensation but it was notable that I received no response from Allan. Oh! Did I mention there was only 126 miles on the engine when this occurred?4. On a return trip from the US (I live in Canada) the engine started to make a slight ticking noise which was initially thought to be an exhaust leak. Just north of the border it began to clack at which time I immediately shut the engine off. After removing the rocker arm cover it was determined that at least two rocker nuts had loosened off and caused the pushrods to pound out the tops of the corresponding lifters; see attached photo. The vehicle was flat decked home. On assessing the damage (several other push rods were also compromised) it was deemed best to totally strip the engine. Oh! Did I mention there was only 1226 miles on the engine when the occurred?5. The block and head were sent to a local shop specializing in engine repair were the following issues were identified:a) the block had been bored out to 40 over but the pistons installed by Cricket were 30 over.b) the heads had not been resurfaced by Cricket. They were warped and covered in rust.c) valve guides were worn over sized and had to be replaced along with seals. Many of the guides were knurled.So, after a little over 1200 miles I have incurred over $2,000 in expenses to replace the cam, lifters, pushrods, roller rockers, pistons & rings, along with work on the block and heads to prepare to install the new parts. Not impressed. Allan seemed like a nice fellow but between shoddy workmanship and poor quality parts being "nice" offers no consolation. I rated only one star because a no star rating will not allow the review to be posted.Gary Hammond, Manitoba, Canada

  Aaron Hixson
5 years ago
Where do i start?I ordered an engine from Allan in late 2014 I recieved the engine early in 2015. It currently sits in pieces after only 1500 miles in a 1949 chevy truck.It was a 383 stroker turn key, with all the pretty parts and a TCI transmission with a few other parts. It took me a little over a year to get the truck finished and start the motor for the first time.Finally, truck is driveable, time to start the break in. I followed the poorly written start up directions.I drive like a person that cares about his classic car. Changed the oil, added zinc, set timing the way he instructed, drove it like the instructions said for break in.I get that he can't control the environment or circumstances surrounding this build but this engine turns out to be far from a custom engine i feel that there was not enough care, or pride in craftsmanship that goes into these builds.First, he says he used patriot heads. Wrong, he used, procomp aluminum heads. The cheapest on the market. He used the wrong head gasket for quench calcs, cheap soft steel push rods, i had to replace mine from the excessive wear in less than 1500 miles. They were damaged so severely from contact with the guides that the steel had spalled and curled little metal shavings off into the oil and damaged the block and heads.I started to dig deeper. I checked push rod length, they are factory 350 length. They are too short top be used with the roller rockers he supplied. The rockers are riding about 25* off center. The valve guide seals are substandard, allowing oil into the head, constantly fouling plugs.I removed the heads, cylinder walls are scared pretty bad and now needs to be re-bored and potentially a new rotating assembly.Now the trust is gone. I have pulled the engine out of the truck. Pulled the pistons out, and inspected the rotating rotating assembly. There are misaligned rings on 2 of the pistons. The rod bearings have enough wear that they should be replaced. I'll have the crank inspected for wear. Looks another 2 -3k to spend on a "turn key" 100k mile motor.I have pictures and video documenting the issues, and the tear down. When more discoveries of poor quality/good quality are revealed I'll update this review.They are happy to talk to you about the motor, start up procedures, and care. I have recently spoken to allan and he is willing to help in this repair but takes little to no responsibility for the errors. The current offer is that i can buy replacement parts at his cost. ? Small claims seems like a better idea.Bottom line, I give 1 star for the product and 1 star for the customer service. they aren't bad people, they are there to help (albeit very little) when needed. Even 3.5 years later.

  Dan Huston
7 years ago
Serice was constant and friendly, I wish the rest was as nice as the people. First off I purched a stock turn key 350 sounded great looked great. I had my own carb so that's the only part that was not included. Put the motor in the truck. A 30+ year mechanic installed the plug wires and tune the motor, ran great for about two weeks. First thing to go was the fuel pump that came with motor, next was the ignition module in the distributor. That part was offed free and shipped to me. Excellent was my thoughts. Put everything back together, Dove the truck reasonably for right around the time the warranty period ended. Started having issues with start up thought nothing of it, warranty gone 1 year or 10,000 miles, well long story short the next day went to get gas noticed the temp gage starting to climb. Shut the truck down way before the hot mark, check antifreeze level a bit low. Added 1 gallon, no issues going home none. Nothing out of the ordinary with an old truck I thought. Needless to say the next day, load the kids up to drop them off at school, started a bit hard. Well this is where things went bad i thought. Made it 1.5 miles before you could not see anything behind me. Shut the truck down and trailered the truck home to sit until I had time to repair. AGAIN i use a mechanic that has 30+ years , both head gaskets are totally blow. At this point I start using another truck, the truck that has $3,000 motor in it sits and waits to be repaired. Now for the part that has me totally disgusted. I start tearing down the motor sometime later, nothing not expected until pulling the cylinder heads. This so called stock 350 block has been bored 60 over. I feel like I have been lied to. Taken to the cleaners, and totally screwed. I hope no one else has anything like this happen to them with there purchases. Further more, Stay away, run and think twice before buying a motor from this company. I was never told anything about this block being taking to the furthest point of reasonable bore. I expected a slight cylinder boar due to a fresh build. NOT 60 OVER. At this point I am at a total loss for words.Thank you

  Farril Baker
3 years ago
Cricket Engines is a great place . They take pride in their engines . The staff are great. All around good honest professional company . Give them a try . Judge for yourself . You won't be disappointed .

  Vicki Baker
4 years ago
Awesome staff . Owner Allen Baker builds very impressive motors . He is dedicated to his customers and is very much a hands on owner. Genuine person . They have a great team .

  Michael Patrick Miller
5 years ago
I live next door. Y'all should see the killer rides that come out of this place. The engines sound fantastic.

  Tiffany Baker
6 years ago
Great place to get a motor built the way u would like. your old classic cars can look like a star

  Mark Schiffer
a year ago
Good prices and great buyer interaction. Think I'm gonna buy an engine???

  Justin Mckinney
3 years ago
Bought bbc parts from them and was missing parts and didn't fit properly and they don't stand behind what they sell

  lisa baker
11 months ago
They always do their best for their customers.

  Joshua Fraley
3 years ago
Sweet hot rod shop