DaveP52462

Hi Guys,

I have a 1987 vette that needs the engine pulled and rebuilt.
Just wondering what the cost should be?
I'm going to talk to the shop and wanted some figures before hand.
Basically the car has 126K and the head gasket went south so I thought I would get it rebuilt as the rest of the car is decent. The automatic transmission was rebuilt last year and the rear is in good shape.

Shop will have to pull the motor, have it rebuilt and re-installed.
Just a standard rebuild. Engine otherwise ran great.

I don't have a clue as to labor cost for this.
Thanks for any advise.
So far I have $5K in the car.
Is it worth it or should I just eat the loss?

Dave..

aboatguy

Depends? If the block needs boring, decking, etc the machine work alone can get close to a grand. For a basic rebuild and R/R remove and replace I'd guess 2.5K-3K if your lucky.

vinnies87

If its just the head gasket, why not just R&R that , fluids, tune-up and go from there.... unless you want to pump up your engine.... personally i'd only rebuild UP not back to stock...

enventr

.If you dont fix the head gasket you would have a hard time selling your car.IMO I would fix it and sell it to buy a later model C4 that will have more HP or perhaps an LT4.It all depends how much you love your current C4,and how much you are willing to spend on your current motor to gain more HP.
good luck

Red Tornado

i would never do a rebuild to stock specs. if it really does need yanked, this is the perfect opportunity for heads & cam -- also decide on either MR or SR intake and get some long tube headers on. the H/C/I/E package will double the total cost but you'll gain a good 125 horses under the hood, if not a few more, and god knows how much base performance requires upgrading.

spending $$ for a stock rebuild is a waste.

Muffin

Most car guys look at horsepower the same as they look at sex: There's no such thing as too much. Build your engine to fit the demands of your driving style, anything over that is a waste (I am not sure how to address excess sex.) As for costs, do a lot of shopping. My SWAG would be 1.5 to 2 large for a decent build.

Muffin

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Oh,a SWAG----- Scientific Wild Azz Guess

80sRule

1st - Good Lube, not the stuff they post up about in OT.

For a vette, it would be a modded rebuild if mine ever needed it. Hot Rod and I agree on that and share the same opinions on body kits. For daily cars, I stay stock because I don't care for a hiperf Town Car or 5SFE Camry.

Chatman

If you might sell the car, just have it repaired. I don't believe that buyers are impressed with a car having had the engine rebuilt -- too many unknowns and the warranty probably won't transfer. It will be more attractive with a crate motor but will not return your investment.

Good luck.

corvetteronw

My advice is to make this a real learning experience. Get together with some of the other Corvette nuts in your area, rent an engine hoist, buy an engine stand and do it yourself. Your chest will swell with pride and your ballz with testosterone when you can point to it and say, "Yeah, I rebuilt and modded it myself."

cv67

$1000-$1500 labor I bet..Motor at least 2k for a stock rebuild +-. Honestly I bet youre in the car close to 5g (probably more) with all the little stuff by the time it rolls out of the shop. Either take a slight hit on it now and dump it or build it for keeps, youre standing on that "line" right now.

DaveP52462

The vehicle is in decent shape but I see a 87 doesn't cost much nowadays. I originally wanted to do the head gasket but figured on a rebuild as it had 126K hard miles. This vehicle is a daily driver and really didn't plan on keeping it more than a year. I have already started taking it apart and am too far into it to go back to just replacing the head gasket. All I have is the two top bolts on the bell housing and it should come out. I still can't get to it even with the dist. removed. I got so frustrated that I have given up. I have removed many engines before but this is the straw that broke the camels back. First time removing a C4 engine though. Too old to be crawling under the car anymore. I think I will take the loss and sell 'as-is". Someone will get a decent car for dirt cheap. Oh well, live and learn I guess.

Thanks
Dave..

ThomasRetUSN

Another way to get a new motor and still do a lot of work your self to to look at the GM crate motors. A lot of different combination cubic inch and horse power.

cv67

Aw man,m youre two bolts awayif you cant get it with a wrench try a wobbly and a LONG extension. May have to lower the trans (and engine) to expose the bolt enough. These cars are real frustrating to work on, dont give up!!

JD'S WHITE 93

You need a transmission extension, it's a 36' long and is 1/2 female drive and 3/8 male drive for your socket. A 14mm or 9/16 swivel socket on the end of that and you're good to go. Don't quit now

dfalliaux

I was gonna say...Look at a Crate 383 and drop that sumbitch in there

VetteUSA

IMO, i think you'd be better of to buy a kick *** crate engine rather than to rebuild.

85 500 horse

It all depends on your funds. If your funds are limited, then just a head gasket fix is probably in order. If you've got the bucks, then I'd drop a new, upgraded crate motor in there.

redwing76

Trade it and get a latter car. Throwing good money after bad has never made any sence.

Muffin

Can you translate this for me please?