Here are the numbers I said I’d get to. These are for a 460 Ford that a friend had machined and he picked it up in July so the numbers are current.
Block Prep 200
Bore and Hone 240
Torque plate 50
Line Hone 190
Zero Deck 200
Turn Crank 230
Resize Rods 192
Float The Small Ends 120
Install and stretch ARP rod bolts 30
Balance 230
ARP Bolts 94
Block Prep included tank and mag, cam bearing install.
Apparently the OE Ford rods had a press fit rod and he wanted to float the rods.
The balance job was for a clutch. I assume the balance job would be a bit less for a converter.
I included the cost of the rod bolts because that’s part of it. Had he purchased new rods like I suggested he wouldn’t have needed the bolts. But that’s part of the cost in rebuilding an OE rod. Bad money spent if you ask me.
The total cost for just that is 1776 dollars. He lives in a state with sales tax, so add in another 8%. Another 142 dollars.
Other than rod bolts, he didn’t buy a part out of that money. No bearings, oil pump, timing set, pistons, rings, cam and lifters, pushrods, roller rockers because he isn’t that cheap or the new fuel pump.
With those prices, which seem to me to be about what is normal if the shop isn’t working for peanuts you are eating up two thirds of your 3k budget before you buy anything other than those rod bolts. I forgot a gasket set.
Add in an ATI or some other new damper because the factory stuff is 40-50 years old and you really start bashing the budget.
I’m sure the very “frugal” around here will say they can cut out a bunch of money everywhere. You probably can. But what do you have when have when you are done? A compromised build. Penny wise. Pound foolish.
