1963dartgt
Well-Known Member
If the price is right shipping dont bother me but sometimes itll kill a deal.I know someone whose got one, but it would probably cost $150 to ship it to Kansas from Kalifornia..
If the price is right shipping dont bother me but sometimes itll kill a deal.I know someone whose got one, but it would probably cost $150 to ship it to Kansas from Kalifornia..
"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"
See, this is the New Math at work when it comes to business ownership. I have some bad news - those items are mostly called 'the cost of being in business'. Also known as 'overhead'. It's the price YOU pay for being in business.
If I wanted to pay them, I'd be in the business. As for the others, they are what's called 'management'. Also known as 'knowing how to run a business'. It's not my fault you took in work for some jamoke who is in jail or changed his mind - don't ask me to pay for it. Here's a better idea - take a bath this time, then learn next time and you'll be a better operator.
It's become fashionable to run a business with the idea that you can replace knowledge and skill by tossing more money on your price. But the truth leaks out - a guy who truly knows his profession doesn't have to rely on adding fat. And another sad fact is running a donut shop might just entitle you to living in a $750K house and retiring at 50. Why is it every time I hear the sob story above about how hard it is to be in business, it's coming from a guy who drops $100K per year on racing or bass fishing or golfing and drives a 1 year old F-350 diesel Platinum 4X4?
I work for a shop wherein we have tens of millions of dollars of machine tools - many, many times more than any automotive machine shop. Our shop rate is $145/hr and that is with a union workforce getting full benefits and pension. Don't tell me the average auto shop needs to hit $100/hour. And don't tell me a hole takes an hour to bore and hone. It doesn't. I do agree auto machine is a lousy way to make a living...your customer base is among the worst. Plenty of dope users and thieves and scumbags. And worst of all...it's essentially retail business. Anytime you have to deal with the general public, you're gonna hate life.
I work for a shop wherein we have tens of millions of dollars of machine tools - many, many times more than any automotive machine shop. Our shop rate is $145/hr and that is with a union workforce getting full benefits and pension. Don't tell me the average auto shop needs to hit $100/hour. And don't tell me a hole takes an hour to bore and hone. It doesn't. I do agree auto machine is a lousy way to make a living...your customer base is among the worst. Plenty of dope users and thieves and scumbags. And worst of all...it's essentially retail business. Anytime you have to deal with the general public, you're gonna hate life.
Present company included LOLYou are right about a good guy retiring... Everyone who does my stuff is 65 plus... Won't be long before all the old guys are gone.
Hey guys. So I got my block and pistons back from the machine shop on Friday. Yesterday I started prepping the block following @krazykuda excellent build series and I found that the number 4 and number 5 cam bearings are turned in the block. The number 5 does not look too bad but it's difficult to see. The number 4 bearing is blocking approximately 30% of the oil feed hole up from the crank. I pretty much know the answer to this question already but is this a big deal? I actually had this happen in the past with the only other motor I ever took apart on a LA 360 and I wound up drilling up from the crankshaft through the cam bearing race and then I chamfered the bearing feed hole. I tried calling the shop today but got no answer. I will continue until I get ahold of him but what do you think about this?
Number 4
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Number 5
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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.
I'd do something on #4 as it feed the passenger side rocker shaft. Your drilling and chamfering solution seems fine as long as the stuff is caught.Hey guys. So I got my block and pistons back from the machine shop on Friday. Yesterday I started prepping the block following @krazykuda excellent build series and I found that the number 4 and number 5 cam bearings are turned in the block. The number 5 does not look too bad but it's difficult to see. The number 4 bearing is blocking approximately 30% of the oil feed hole up from the crank. I pretty much know the answer to this question already but is this a big deal? I actually had this happen in the past with the only other motor I ever took apart on a LA 360 and I wound up drilling up from the crankshaft through the cam bearing race and then I chamfered the bearing feed hole. I tried calling the shop today but got no answer. I will continue until I get ahold of him but what do you think about this?
Where in Fl? I need to go there a few times a year, might be worthwhile to time a trip to coincide with some work I want done.Wow , 1975 360 block here . shot blast block , mag , torque bore and hone , square deck , install arp main studs and align hone , cut down main cap so stud and 12pt nut clears oil pump , brass freeze plugs , cam bearings , dist bushing , I supplied block and studs only . Beautiful work in the bag $450 cash . Everything checks perfect and it was done in a week . This is in Florida , same work in Maryland 5 years ago cost me $1100