Lord Sparky
Well-Known Member
I think the problem is how long it is taking to finish.
I think the problem is how long it is taking to finish.
I got a call from my machinist today. I dropped my block and new pistons off requesting a .030 bore and R&R pistons onto rods. Nothing more. I am picking it up Friday. He has had it about 10 months. I haven't been hounding due to other obligations but we spoke a few times and he gave me some updates after the fact while he had it. Here is what I got....
Block cleaning - subbed out of house. I degreased and cleaned block prior to dropping off.
Brass freeze and oil plugs.
Cam bearings. I am hoping he align honed but he asked me to bring my cam.
Prime and paint. Said he had to paint it prior to boring. He did ask what color I was going with.
Overbore with torque plate.
My bill is $850. We did not discuss cost (my fault, no lecture please) but I was expecting around $350 for my requested work. My number was from asking others about their projects. Needless to say this was supposed to be a budget build on a low mileage Magnum 360.
Between the cost of the block, machine work, pistons, rings and bearings I am close to the price of an assembled short block but I really want to build this mill myself.
Does this sound about right? What would you charge for the work that was done?
I would appreciate if you broke it down if possible.
Thank you.
Completely agree. Lots of times, the shop owner isn’t trying to get rich, they’re just trying to keep in business. I’ve seen too many episodes of Restaurant Impossible where the owner hasn’t taken a paycheck in years and is losing money every month just keeping the staff paid.What about all of the things shop owners DON'T get paid for?
*Dealing with customers who want something for nothing.
*Babysitting those who do not understand the process, but still complain
*Covering all of your bases, so that you're not married to the job for the rest of your businesses life
*complying with OSHA, EPA, city and county regulations, Fire Dept, Workmans Comp, Etc.
*sitting on completed work, cause the customer is in jail
*lost labor, cause the customer changed their mind and abandoned the project
*projects brought in, in a crate (parts missing)
*ETC
someone had to say it !
15 years ago. (can't believe it's been that long) I paid $1200 for cleaning, core plugs, .030 overbore and hone with torque plate, .010/.010 turn and polish the crank, recondition rods with new bolts, balance and cam bearings All the surfaces were checked and milled if necessary. The line bore was good. That was no head work.
It takes a lot of hours to do quality work and you wouldn't want somebody that charges just $20 per hour. I haven't checked but around $75/hr is probably normal.
True that. It depends whether you want to modify or save what you have. I wanted to save. Original block,crank, rods, heads, intake, distributor, valve covers, air cleaner etc.The ugly sister to that is all the Online options out there.. Crate motors, cyl heads, cheap cyl heads, cheap CNC'd cyl heads.
Scat rods cheaper than you can get a good old set reconed for..
The Lil guy really can't run with this type of environment.
For the record... I am not complaining about the cost of work performed and I appreciate quality. We had a few conversations and I was very comfortable giving the work to him. He is an older gentleman in his late 60's with old school work ethics. As stated.... there aren't many of those guys left and hats off to those of you out there getting it done.
Thanks for your input guys. Feeling much better about it now. I should have asked him for a price first so shame on me. I'm sure the money spent now will be bringing big smiles when I hit the go pedal.
if only i could find a sure grip 8 3/4 for $225.from 1976 popular hot rodding.. Leaded gas was .39 then too :/
View attachment 1715507805
if only i could find a sure grip 8 3/4 for $225.
Yeah i keep waiting for a nice 741 case to pop up cause nobody wants them. Itll be fine behind my slant.keep looking, you'll get lucky once in a while...
I was at a buddies place one day (shivy guy), and he said, "..hey, you're a F&*#$ Mopar guy, you want those gears?", "they're heavy, and I'm tired of moving them around.."
Yeah i keep waiting for a nice 741 case to pop up cause nobody wants them. Itll be fine behind my slant.