Getting nervous about cost of engine rebuild.

-
doogievlg

doogievlg

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
8,379
Reaction score
2,380
Location
Amelia, Ohio
This will be the first time I have ever had someone else rebuild an engine for me and I am getting a little nervous that it could be more than expected. The engine is a small block.

They are turning the crank, balancing the engine, porting the heads, installing new springs, and using a set of old Chrysler adjustable rockers. The cam is $450 and is the only major new part they will be installing. I am figuring around 4-5k.

$1000 machine work
$1500 in parts
$2000 to have the engine assembled

The engine was not bored out, acid dipped, sonic tested. I am going with $1500 for parts because of all the random small things that add up. Does anyone see any reason that this engine would be well over the 5,000 point?
 
doogievlg said:
This will be the first time I have ever had someone else rebuild an engine for me and I am getting a little nervous that it could be more than expected. The engine is a small block.

They are turning the crank, balancing the engine, porting the heads, installing new springs, and using a set of old Chrysler adjustable rockers. The cam is $450 and is the only major new part they will be installing. I am figuring around 4-5k.

$1000 machine work
$1500 in parts
$2000 to have the engine assembled

The engine was not bored out, acid dipped, sonic tested. I am going with $1500 for parts because of all the random small things that add up. Does anyone see any reason that this engine would be well over the 5,000 point?
Click to expand...
I don't know how mechanically inclined you are but you could possibly assemble the engine yourself.
 
Do as much of it as you can, you’ll save a lot more than you think.

Jake
 
$2000 for assy looks like a lotta coin to me. My builder charged me $120 Canucks back in 1999; just straight long-block assembly. He was a full-time builder and did all the local roundy-round cars, which as you know..... are mostly Chebbies.
Well, all I gotta say is I don't know how those Chevy engines hang together as long as they do, if he is slamming them together the same way mine was slammed together. So I guess you get what you pay for, which in my case was less than I expected for sure.
But it's a really long way from my 120 to your 2000 estimate.

Now, if that 2000 also includes verifying all the machining etc, fitting the pistons and rings and bearings and degreeing the cam...... well that all adds up to a lotta time; and that's where my guy failed miserably.
 
Another CA guy here- engine at well known builder. $11,000. This will be a 383 restoration motor. Includes roller cam and related to compensate for poor gas and oil. Reduce compression a little but must use original carb, points and exhaust manifolds. Inc. all machining, assembly and dyno. Will get a running motor back, expecting it to run better than original.
 
dart_68 said:
I don't know how mechanically inclined you are but you could possibly assemble the engine yourself.
Click to expand...

I’ve done one motor by myself completely and I have tag teamed many. I am confident in my ability to put an engine together. It just usually takes me a while to do it by myself and this is a very reputable shop so I thought I would give it a try. They will also be putting the engine on their dyno so I figured why not let them handle the whole thing so if the engine has issues on the dyno there will be no disagreement.
 
Did you have a written agreement for the work to be done vs cost? They should be able to hit pretty close to the agreement for cost.
 
I do hope they are reputable to their word. Not digging on you. I honestly any more don’t put faith in people to adhere to a gentleman’s agreement. Maybe talk to them and see if they’ll give you an estimate of what they believe it will cost you out the door. That way your not on pins and needles worrying. Most charge extra for dyno time etc.
 
Dubob said:
I do hope they are reputable to their word. Not digging on you. I honestly any more don’t put faith in people to adhere to a gentleman’s agreement. Maybe talk to them and see if they’ll give you an estimate of what they believe it will cost you out the door. That way your not on pins and needles worrying. Most charge extra for dyno time etc.
Click to expand...

I was quoted 4-5 when I dropped it off. He is working up the total tomorrow.
 
The only thing I can add from experience is feel good about who you selected to do this job. Experience and reputation is key.
 
Local known shop by me charges $500 to assemble.... 2k for “assembly” seems high.... it’s not a pro stock engine
 
I assemble all my own engines as well. the only real upside I can see here is if that thing comes unglued , they had better be ready to make good on it at no charge. get that in writing.
 
local machine shop very reputable not custom engine builder just accurate. 360 build 2016 prices
degrease parts 72
mag heads 26
replace gudes 62
valve job 94
resurface heads 78
head plugs r&r 10
set installed height 80
mag crank 28
grind crankshaft 119
bore 267
hang pistons 34
cam bearings 40
core plug r&r 24
mag block 45
hone main line 177
install studs 20
asss 500
parts
eagle rods 270
main stud 90
main bearing 93
comp cam & lifters 228
valve springs 65
locks18
retainers55
cam bearings51
core pugs 11
tower bushing 8
shims 20
gasket set 84
oil pump 97
timing set 25
rings 65
pistons 480
all in tax shop supplies ect 3583 just basic rebuild 360 truck block nothing trick
engine was not ran dyno tested ect.... porting heads dyno time ect can get expensive..
 
Last edited:
torred0319 said:
local machine shop very reputable not custom engine builder just accurate. 360 build 2016 prices
degrease parts 72
mag heads 26
replace gudes 62
valve job 94
resurface heads 78
head plugs r&r 10
set installed height 80
mag crank 28
grind crankshaft 119
bore 267
hang pistons 34
cam bearings 40
core plug r&r 24
mag block 45
hone main line 177
install studs 20
asss 500
parts
eagle rods 270
main stud 90
main bearing 93
comp cam & lifters 228
valve springs 65
locks18
retainers55
cam bearings51
core pugs 11
tower bushing 8
shims 20
gasket set 84
oil pump 97
timing set 25
rings 65
pistons 480
all in tax shop supplies ect 3583 just basic rebuild 360 truck block nothing trick
engine was not ran dyno tested ect.... porting heads dyno time ect can get expensive..
Click to expand...

Thanks for the break down. That took some time.
 
The cam may cost you....

All the MOPAR engines we see have F UP cam tunnels. Most time the dang cam won't even fit in the block. My personal engine was so bad we had to "massage" the cam to fit the block and do some extra work on the bearings.

Also most MOPAR blocks are WAY out of square so more time to square and zero deck is required.

I,000 for a MOPAR is not unusual, 650 for most assembly jobs (GM, Ford).

But 2 grand, no.

Who does a decent valve job for 94 bucks????
 
Cope said:
The cam may cost you....

All the MOPAR engines we see have F UP cam tunnels. Most time the dang cam won't even fit in the block. My personal engine was so bad we had to "massage" the cam to fit the block and do some extra work on the bearings.

Also most MOPAR blocks are WAY out of square so more time to square and zero deck is required.

I,000 for a MOPAR is not unusual, 650 for most assembly jobs (GM, Ford).

But 2 grand, no.

Who does a decent valve job for 94 bucks????
Click to expand...

Good to know. Tomorrow I’ll find out. If I don’t post in this thread again then assume it’s more than I expected. Either way I’ll be starting a “guess the dyno numbers” thread here soon.
 
I don't want to sew seeds of discontent, but did you say $450 for the cam? That seems rather high to me. If that is any indication of his markup, you were right to be concerned.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top