by Bob Clark
If you happen to need a major overhaul, help is just around the corner. We all have budgets to meet, but if you are restoring a boat, the job isnt complete without a fresh engine. Or if the boat is rebuilt and the engine is tired, think about a rebuild before it needs something really major, like a new cam or crank. Sooner or later, your vintage boat engine is probably going to require some work. Fortunately, just west of Minneapolis, is Lester Prairie Engine, owned and operated by Lester Mahlstedt. Lester maintains a complete engine rebuilding facility that specializes in vintage marine and automotive engines. There are really three businesses, related through marriage. Berry Cams, Engelke Machine and Lester Prairie Engine, all located on 175th St. in Lester Prairie, MN within a stones throw of one another.
Lester began his engine machining career with Berry Cams in 1968. Need a cam shaft for your 1940 Oliver tractor? How about a 1920 Red Wing motor, or put a little extra lift in that Chrysler cam? Berry Cam, established in 1958, can make it up for you. Have a bent or badly worn crank? Engelke Machine can make it like new again. They can also balance your engine components and flywheel.
After 13 years in the cam business, Lester began his engine rebuilding business in 1981. Lesters hobbies also include race engine preparation. His engines have powered 6 national champions. Personally, Lesters boating hobby remains primitively evolved with his 14 foot aluminum Wards row boat. There is a wood boat in the family, however. Daughter Chris, and her husband Brad Ernst, are BSLOL members and have a 1967 Chris Craft Ski Boat.
With changes in engine technology over the past 25 years, it is important to know there is a rebuilder experienced in vintage engines. Lester has rebuilt countless Chryslers, Ks, Ms and 283s, with an occasional Kermath or Scripps. His skills are not just limited to these cast iron beasts. He knows how to get 600 hp out of that small block Chevy for you race car enthusiasts. Have the need for speed? Available services includes boring, balancing, milling the heads, performance grinding the cam, as well as other options that will get you that extra pep youve been looking for from that flat head of yours.
Unlike a production/volume oriented engine rebuilder, Lester is personally involved in each part of the rebuilding process. In fact, his only employee is his eldest daughter Stacy (a rose among thorns.)
A number of BSLOL members, myself included, have had engines rebuilt by Lester Prairie Engine. My experience and those with whom I am familiar, regard their transaction as positive, high quality, and reasonably priced. Give Les a call at 320-395-2881 or stop by his shop to see what he can do for you.
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