Engine Importing question

[moosetestbestanden]

So I'm finally ready to bring the Ammo motor in. The import broker on this side says that in order to bring an engine into the country the engine has to have an EPA sticker on showing that it's ok w/ them.

Others have done this so I'm soliciting information as to just how. Do tell.

[Doug Liedblad]

Sean brought his engine in so might be able to help.

Shows you how well I remember...

[Sean]

The engine is about the only thing I did not bring in. My engine came from Torrance, California.


edit -- Digging around on the EPA website, I ran across this page specifically pertaining to "kit cars", which contained the following statement in section 4:

The production, sale and importation of vehicle parts (engines, transmissions, chassis, vehicle bodies, etc.) are not regulated by EPA because parts are not considered motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act. However if the parts constitute a disassembled vehicle or an approximate disassembled vehicle, the combination is considered a motor vehicle under the Clean Air Act. Any attempt to use this policy to circumvent the Clean Air Act or the Imports regulations will be considered a violation of the Clean Air Act and will be strictly enforced. An example of such circumvention is:

* A kit car maker who also provides the engine and transmission before or after production/importation of the body/chassis.

This seems to contradict what the import broker has told you - or maybe I am misinterpreting the statement?

[escondidoron]

I am responsible for propulsion systems (among other things) at work. We import ~10 Diesel engines / month from Germany. And another 10/month gasoline engines from Austria. No restrictions encountered so far over the past 8 years from Germany and 18 years from Austria.

[moosetestbestanden]

I am responsible for propulsion systems (among other things) at work. We import ~10 Diesel engines / month from Germany. And another 10/month gasoline engines from Austria. No restrictions encountered so far over the past 8 years from Germany and 18 years from Austria.

So what do you put on the paperwork? Automobile parts?

Mine is a replacement for my existing engine.

Sean: Thanks, as ever!

Edit: I vaguely remember a thread where a guy back east imported a Rover engine as parts or some such. Couldn't find it by searching. Anybody remember?

[escondidoron]

For the engines at work, we list them as "airplane parts". That's what we use them for.

I forgot aobut this earlier, but I brought back from the UK a Lotus 907 engine for an Esprit in pieces back in 2005. I just put "auto parts" on the customs form that you fill out on the airplane. Nobody asked me any questions on those parts. I brought that engine home packed in 4 cardboard boxes as checked baggage. I didn't disassemble it for shipping. I bought pieces from a couple of different sources and partially assembled them for ease of packing.

Also, a friend of mine has recently purchased a Rover V8 from the U.K. and had it shipped over w/o issue. The short block was one purchase several months ago. He just got the heads (brand new, completely assembled) in the past month.

I have also shipped over a transaxle from Germany w/o issue.

In the past year I have purchased a few Seven parts out of Europe and the U.K. via the internet and had no problems w/ customs. I'm having several parts (no engine stuff however) crated up at this time in the U.K. and shipped over. Stuff like seats, a windshield, top, lights, etc. I don't expect any issues.

In the past year I have purchased some carbs, a couple of cams, pistons, a distributor, etc. w/o issue. The stuff just shows up at my door after a week or two.

The biggest issue that I have had in purchasing parts and cars abroad has been with money exchange. When I bought my Alfa in Germany my bank hit me for almost $500.00 to wire and exchange the $5000.00 dollars to Euros! If you can pay through a credit card or Paypal it works out pretty reasonably. If you have to go through a U.S. bank you will likely have to pay an exorbitant exchange fee. Paypal is really cheap on the exchange rate.

[moosetestbestanden]

Brought it in as engine parts for salvage. It took about 3 or 4 days to clear the customs. It arrived a week ago today, beating me here by 5 days. Photo attached.

Magnus, you got your oil tank from Brise didn't you? Also, let me know where you got your cooling hoses.

[magnusfeuer]

Yes I have a Brise tank with a Setrab cooler in the loop. I did the plumbing myself with braided hoses and fittings from Earl's.

/Magnus F.

Edit: Congratulations with the engine BTW. Which ECU did you get?

[Elv15]

AWESOME!!! You'll have fun putting that in place...and then more fun once it's running. ;) :eek: :D :D :D

[moosetestbestanden]

Yes I have a Brise tank with a Setrab cooler in the loop. I did the plumbing myself with braided hoses and fittings from Earl's.

/Magnus F.

Edit: Congratulations with the engine BTW. Which ECU did you get?

I was wondering about where you sourced your silicone hoses for the cooling system.

Brise has the tank. I'll order for the tank once I figure out which fittings the Titan pump uses & go from there plumbing wise. I'll be adding a cooler as you did. I guess I should stop by one of these days to see the kid and shoot the breeze.

I'm considering what to do about other bits. In a perfect world I'd like to get new throttle bodies, exhaust primaries, ECU and gearbox.

[magnusfeuer]

Sorry - Tired father.

I got the silicon hoses a long time ago from William Sours as a part of a water rail kit. They are specifically made for the Seven, but I forget the brand. I'll check when I come home.

/Magnus F.

[Sean]

Hey Chris,

Congratulations!

Before I decided to go with the Modine set-up, I bought a Setrab type 625 oil cooler, Setrab AN-12 fittings, and a AN-12 MOCAL oil thermostat, all which I have never used (still in the box). I had intended to get around to selling them one day - PM sent.

If you decide to make braided steel lines, I found the trick was to lubricate them well with type O negative, or similar. Now I know why they are typically anodized red.