How much should it cost
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 340
Likes: 2
From: Port Washington WI
How much should it cost
I'm building a 69 427 tri-power from the bare block up. I've got the crank and bare heads and block. My engine shop just quoted me $7100 for all the diagnosis (magnaflux, alignment, etc) machine work and all new internals except the crank. Is that a reasonable price? It doesn't include assembly, my resto guy does that. I know it depends on the market, but it's a good shop in the midwest. Just curious what others have spent. To be honest, it's a couple grand over what I was expecting.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 43
From: San Antonio TX
Well, someone has a boat payment coming up. Honestly, they are entitled to a profit, but this would have to include a substantial amount of machine work to get to that price. Of course, they could be quoting you from a parts bin of nothing but the top of the line. Hard to say without knowing every details.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 340
Likes: 2
From: Port Washington WI
It seems like a lot to me. There's $1900 of shop labor. All I've got is the block, the crank and bare heads, so there's lots of parts needed. The guy is using good parts ($1450 for the master kit alone), the prices for the individual parts are in line with what I see on the internet. I trust his judgement and quality. He and my resto guy have put togther cars that win nationals. It just took me by surprise. This is my first resto though so maybe sticker shock is in order. The body and frame work is around $12500.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
Sounds high. I'm getting all new stuff while re-using my crank and pistons. New heads, rods, valvetrain, and other things. High end stuff. Balanced. Seeking 500+ HP from a true 350 (no bore) capable of 6,500 RPM (valve spring pressure of 160# being the limitation from going to 7,000 RPM).
All in, including reassemble and nearly all new fasteners throughout is ~$6k. That's a pretty premium build.
Yes, there's some things that are more expensive for a Big Block, but something sounds a little out of line.
If that was a "drop it off and pick it up" price, I'd understand. But you're in for another $600 to $1,000 to get it assembled.
And if something breaks, who points at who? Machinist? Builder?
I'd want the same guy to be responsible for everything. That's the only way you'll get any assurance of someone standing behind their work.
All in, including reassemble and nearly all new fasteners throughout is ~$6k. That's a pretty premium build.
Yes, there's some things that are more expensive for a Big Block, but something sounds a little out of line.
If that was a "drop it off and pick it up" price, I'd understand. But you're in for another $600 to $1,000 to get it assembled.
And if something breaks, who points at who? Machinist? Builder?
I'd want the same guy to be responsible for everything. That's the only way you'll get any assurance of someone standing behind their work.
