Update September 2003!
Good Morning Jake,
Wow!! It's been almost a year since we began our relationship; I can hardly believe it. I just wanted to touch base and let you know how things are going.
The engine is running great. I have almost 20,000mi on her and have had no problems at all. Truly amazing for a 914. I am still commuting to St. Louis 3 days a week for school and other than the really hot days (no air-conditioning in the 914, of course) I'm in my little green machine tearing up the highway. In December I will be finished with school, and back out to find a job.
The only maintenence has been oil changes, spark plugs, filters, and valve adjustments. There has been the occasional carburator adjustment, but that's to be expected. I purchased a syncrometer from John and it made easy work of that.
Well I hope you are doing well and business is successful. Take care and thanks for making me a GREAT engine! Hope to meet you some day and shake your hand in person.
Stephen Cook
Original letter
I wanted to write and personally thank Jake for his excellent work and craftsmanship he did rebuilding my 914 engine.
When my 914 daily driver finally gave up the ghost I knew I needed a new engine. I searched the web pages for an engine rebuilder. After reviewing a number of web sites for 914’s one name stood above all others, Jake Raby.
I found Jake’s website and spent many hours reviewing its pages. Although I was a little concerned over the prices, I decided to give Jake call and talk about the possibilities. We spent more than an hour on the phone during our first conversation where I became very comfortable with Jake and his expertise of air-cooled engines. It was abundantly clear that Jake was providing much more than just a typical engine rebuild, but a custom engine built for my personal driving tastes.
After several long discussions about my driving characteristics we determined that the 2270 type C was the best for me.
When the engine arrived I couldn’t wait to get it installed and go for a ride. When Jake says he provides a complete turn key motor he isn’t kidding. I started getting everything put back together and over of a couple of weekends I was ready to crank it up. She fired right off (thanks to Jake’s extensive dyno testing) and purred like a kitten on steroids. I ran it for awhile then shut it down and checked for any leaks or loose items; I found none. After contacting Jake to let him know it was in and running and said, “well what are you waiting for, go drive the hell out of it.”
My first drive was one of total amazement. Never had I felt so much power and torque out of my little engine. Mind you I was being careful with the rev’s, but when I turned onto the interstate I was doing 90 mph by the time I hit the end of the ramp.
Since then I have put abut about 1000 miles on the engine and it has performed flawlessly. Other that oil changes and the required valve adjustment at 500 mi., the engine has been “tinker free.” For the first time in a long time I can get in and turn the key without feeling like I need to say a prayer. Finally I no longer worry when my drive takes me farther than 100 miles from my home.
So, was it worth the price? All I can say is I would happily do it again. Jake provided me a superior product, excellent customer service, and a binding friendship.
Thanks Jake, I wish you much success.
Stephen Cook
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