For those curious. My bill for my short block.

[Michael Harrington]

Holland Automotive Machine is a reputable shop. I know the owner personally. They build regular engines and high performance engines across all brands. Stellar work. Please withhold the flaming- I have my reasons why I paid to have this done. 360 Magnum short block dropped off with all 300,000 miles of gunk and gak. They reused the stock crank and rods per my request. I supplied the Auto Tec forged pistons/moly rings, Howards roller cam, dampener, oil pump and oil pan. I'm porting a nice set of Magnum factory heads and a 144 Weiand street blower will top it off. REFERENCE only. Your costs WILL VARY.

 

[Newbomb Turk]

He works pretty cheap. That’s a smoking deal IMO.

 

[Plymouth 65]

Good machining work isn't cheap, never has been. 65

 

[TT5.9mag]

Yea I’m not sure there’s much to flame about. If you’re going to pay to have it machined and assembled, that’s about what I’d expect.

 

[jimjimjimmy]

WOW 39 bucks tax . Here the tax alone would be around 430 bucks . Good deal .

 

[GGress]

Looks like a good deal to me.

 

[junkyardhero]

fair and reasonable for the amount of work done.

 

[DFX 340 Duster]

I can only guess what the same work would cost in SoCal. Maybe $5-6k?

 

[Newbomb Turk]

I can only guess what the same work would cost in SoCal. Maybe $5-6k?

That’s what I was saying. The OP did pretty good on costs.

Around my parts it would have easily been 1k more.

 

[junkyardhero]

I can only guess what the same work would cost in SoCal. Maybe $5-6k?

the machine work alone up here in LA would be about 2500, so then just tack on assembly & degree the camshaft + parts.

so something like 3K in machine work & labor, and then another 1K in parts i guess (not including cam, pistons, etx)

but yeah, big picture, probably 5K all said and done.

 

[toolmanmike]

You had a lot done and the total is very reasonable.

 

[red67gts]

very fair I like the way he broke everything down, that shows honest business, Joe

 

[JDMopar]

I would be happy to get that much work done for that price. If he's happy with what he charged and you're happy with what you paid....win - win! Believe it or not, there are still people who take pride in their work and just want to make a good living instead of making a killing!

 

[69conv]

Thanks for sharing. I'm having my motor done in the Detroit area and its about 25% more. Tell your friend thanks. he treated you right!!

 

[Michael Harrington]

I'm very happy. This was a 300,000 mile Ram engine I got for free from a brother who traveled alot and changed his oil alot. Dropped of one hell of a dirty gunked up shortblock and picked up this:

 

[JDMopar]

What ever happened to Best Machine that was in the Detroit area? They used to be the go to place for guys in the area, but I haven't seen them mentioned in years.

 

[MMissile]

Closed up shop. Go to for what area?

 

[bcschief]

WOW 39 bucks tax . Here the tax alone would be around 430 bucks . Good deal .

In Florida there is no tax on labor only parts.

 

[JDMopar]

Closed up shop. Go to for what area?

I'm not really sure. I just remember Gary Davis (R.I.P.) Jack Irons, John Papas and other Detroit area guys always spoke highly of Best Machine. Moparts was the place I heard of it 20 or so years ago.

 

[dogbreath]

I find it interesting that he used enginetech aluminum main and rod bearings which I also like and use especially with a cast crank . Most machinists are dead set on tri-metal bearings.

 

[Michael Harrington]

I find it interesting that he used enginetech aluminum main and rod bearings which I also like and use especially with a cast crank . Most machinists are dead set on tri-metal bearings.

When I dropped of the shortblock I told them I wanted to re use the stock crank and rods if they are re usable. This will be a boosted engine but only 5-7 psi with the small Weiand 144.

 

[jos51700]

Holland Automotive Machine is a reputable shop. I know the owner personally. They build regular engines and high performance engines across all brands. Stellar work. Please withhold the flaming- I have my reasons why I paid to have this done. 360 Magnum short block dropped off with all 300,000 miles of gunk and gak. They reused the stock crank and rods per my request. I supplied the Auto Tec forged pistons/moly rings, Howards roller cam, dampener, oil pump and oil pan. I'm porting a nice set of Magnum factory heads and a 144 Weiand street blower will top it off. REFERENCE only. Your costs WILL VARY.

I've spent a lot of time in Holland for work. I'm going to look into this

very fair I like the way he broke everything down, that shows honest business, Joe

Bingo. If the work is RIGHT, that's a great way to do business.

 

[nutz]

Wonder what his per hr is
Seems reasonable

 

[ec_co]

Thanks for sharing. That's pretty close to what I paid to have my slant six machine work done too, crazy.

 

[lilcuda]

The total is reasonable, but $270 for degreasing? Must be building in the costs of hazmat disposal.