Machine Shop Prices

This post shows me some seriously accurate experience as a business owner right here. Modern equipment is one thing but plain old worn out equipment is another. Making an excessive amount of $$$ in this trade is next to impossible unless you have a product to sell. Finding a shop that truly WANTS to do a great job and one that can is also worth how much to you? For example, I typically charge $50.00 per saddle for a line hone which on most V8's is $250.00 Here I have been entrusted to perform a line hone on a VERY expensive aluminum Buick block. Not wanting to ruin this block and also not having a ton of experience line honing aluminum block/steel cap combos I figured taking the time and material to mount the block unconventionally was the best course of action. I am impressed at how it turned out and was totally worth it IMO. Now the question becomes "What do I charge for the line hone?" I mean surely some would expect the normal fee to be charged however going by straight time invested on my end a normal fee would leave me several hundred short. J.Rob

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Yup, you are in the pickle. I always charge for stuff like that on time a materials for the first or second one. Once you get it down and are comfortable with it, you can make a set price for it. When I port a head or an intake I've never done before, I always bid it high and then come in low if I can. Who knows how many times you need to flow it, or how many different valve jobs it will take to science it out.

Or, you can do a regular 3 angle valve job, pocket port them and send them out the door. Evidently, that's good enough for most.