Thread: Autozone engine

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The GM crate motors referenced is NEW, (absolutely every part is new, not rebuilt, just like an engine put in a new car at the factory). They also come with a very good warranty, which chances are you will never have to use. "Rebuilt/remanufactured" engines on the other hand are reconditioned used engines, and in many cases put together using the lowest cost (quality) parts available. Don't get me wrong, there are several rebuilders out there that produce VERY high quality rebuilt assemblies. I've have personally seen several AutoZone engines that were junk.

"......Most mechanics will not use Autozone or other discount rebuilt motors........"

You are absolutely correct. Of all the suppliers of rebuilt parts I have dealt with my personal experience is that the ones from AutoZone were of the lowest quality and I would not sell them through the shop.

On the very rare occasions that a customers would ask about using any autozone part (such as bringing me the car and telling me that it has "life time warranty" on an AutoZone part already installed, or would want me to install one of their rebuilt engines) I would tell them my policy:

1. The customer would be responsible for picking up and paying/exchanging for the parts directly from AutoZone.

2. The customer would be responsible for delivering the part to my shop.

3. If the part installed was bad, the customer would be responsible full labor rate to remove and reinstall the part (however many times it took to get a good one).

4. The customer would be responsible for transporting the part back to autozone and returning a good part to the shop.

5. If the replacement part could not be delivered in a timely fashion (i.e. a special order that would take a "few days" to get in), storage charges would be charged on the car.

6. Absolutely no warranty on parts or labor would be given on rebuilt AutoZone parts, and that would be written on the receipt and the customer would sign it. (My normal warranty was a minimum of 90 days warranty on parts and labor, and possibly longer depending on the warranty given with the parts).

Note: I would always apply this to Auto Zone rebuilds, I could not afford to tie the shop up doing free labor over and over because the customer wanted the cheapest parts possible. The old adage about getting what you pay for applies to rebuilt parts, spend a little more and only do it once.