Jeg’s High Performance Center

I ordered an E-​Street Carbureted Small Block Chevy (355) crate engine from JEGS. Paid just over $ 5k. I went to JEGS hoping for superior quality yet I received no such thing… here are a few of the problems with the crate engine:
Oil pan drain bolt was so tightly installed I stripped the head (rounded it) getting it out. Yes, I used the proper socket, it wouldn’t budge with a ³⁄₈ drive ratchet, it wouldn’t budge with a ½ drive breaker bar. I even tried a pipe as a cheater bar with no luck breaking it free. Ultimately I had to grab it with channel locks and had to use a hammer to get it t start rotating. I had to replace the drain bolt with a new one after this experience.
Rear main seal leaked since day one. First it was only moist, then after a week or so, noticeable drops on the underside of the oil pan. Now after about 9 months I have table spoon amounts of oil dripping after each startup… so next on my list is to replace the rear main seal… according to JEGS it is a two-​piece seal so hopefully that is the case and I can replace it with only dropping the oil pan and I think I also have to take off the rear main cap… I contacted JEGS about this leak shortly after I realized there was a problem and JEGS will not warranty it as believe it or not they do not warranty seals… hmmm…on a $ 5k engine… really JEGS?
Tonights job was to go after what I thought was a stuck lifter… the engine would tap on cold start-​ups and eventually stop tapping after the engine warmed up. I started by pulling both valve covers… the drivers side rockers all were tight… the passenger side rockers were mostly loose (about half of them were very loose), and I mean really loose. So we tightened the rockers following a proper procedure for hydraulic lifters and no more rattling. I really do not think the rockers should have been a few turns of their bolt loose… yes, a few full turns were needed before I got back to zero lash… and no the push rods were not bent or anything like that.
I bought this crate motor hoping to benefit from JEGS’ experience and expertise as it has been many years since I last built a small block from scratch… I guess I should have built it myself… lord knows this motor will probably need much more attention as time passes… honestly I am shocked at the trouble I have had with this motor… therefore I will never do business with JEGS in the future nor will I ever give them a positive recommendation.

Tried to place phone order with Jeg’s. They took my order, which was not large at all, and then continued to hassle me regarding my credit card approval. I used American Express and they were trying to get me to use a different card so they continued to act like the card was not authorized. I called Amex 3 different time to make sure there were no issues but Jeg’s would still not release the order. I switched it to Summit, they processed the order without an issue. In fact I saved a little money. Jeg’s needs to do a better job of balancing their supposed «fraud protection policy» with customer service and courtesy. I will never purchase from them again.

Poor costumer service
Ordered a fuel pump
Gave all the information… Shipping, credit card and name
Shipping overnight?
Shipping to an address that is not mine?
Yes we do it al the time
Two hours late I’m sent an email
My bank will not release the $$$‘s
I call Jag’s
You address is not matching your address on file with the bank
True
I’m broke down in Colorado and I live in California
Jag’s wants someone at my home to give the okay to charge my CC
I’m not home we are broke down in Colorado and I need the part sent to our sons home here.
After me loosing it
The woman wants me to call my bank at 10:30 PM to get an okay for Jag’s to have the $$&‘s or use my sons CC.
No way
Just cancel the order
Today I call the speed parts company in Reno
The part will be here FedEx tomorrow at 10:30 AM… Now that’s service
I’m never going back to Jag’s again.
I’ll shop with the speed parts company out of Reno Nevada or the company in Lincoln Nebraska

Some time ago I ordered an engine stand from Jegs. After several shipments, all of the parts finally arrive in a setup and condition suitable for final assembly of the stand. This was extremely frustrating, and seriously delayed my project car. That’s not to say they haven’t improved necessarily, but this was not a favorable experience. Perhaps the next order I have with them will be better.