jsholm2

I'm wanting to buy a new crate engine (probably a 383) and redo everything in my engine compartment. My father and I are do-it-ourself-ers but I want to get an idea of what I will realistically spend. I know just for the engine I'm talking around 6 grand if I go turn key. I also want to sand blast and paint before the new engine goes in. If any of you have paid someone else to do the overhauling that pricing would be useful also. Thanks for your personal info in advance. I know you all take pride in your vettes just as i do and I want to know how much it will cost to get this thing done right. Thanks guys.
Holmes

69Vett

you need more definition of what you want,
100% NCRS restoration every nut and Bolt ?
Full Custom, Chrome ? Alumn. Billet ?
Do you just want to clean up and look good ?
or Do you want to win every car show you go to ?
You need to define what you want to level you wish to obtain.
You can pull and refurbish nearly every part, for cheap,
Design your complete Engine package, instead of adding a part here and there.
69VETT

timgman

Now THATS and engine!!!!!!!

jsholm2

Well, here is kind of an idea. I want it to look really good but does not have to pass any NCRS inspection. I want the bay to be repainted and all parts replaced with chrome and new hoses and such. Also the new 383 stroker I intend to use. Here is a idea of what I am talking about. Don't know if the pic will post though.

I used steel wool and hot water and soap and some 400 grit sand paper, then used a wire wheel and those black porous cleaning wheels on the frame areas then used black primer and semi gloss paint on them
before
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#10 02-11-2008, 06:46 AM
blknblu68
Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007
Location:
Posts: 210

RE: cleaning up the engine compartment

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

after

jsholm2

THat engine looks great! I want to basically replace everything under the good but not NCRS. It will be driven so I just want it to look great when I pop the good.

69Vett

Everything is a big word ! and lots $$
Brackets, ? pulleys ? ....I would not replace parts just because they are old
sounds like you want to clean up, remove and paint everything you have.
go pick out valve covers and thats about it?
also remember this is Corvette most standard Chevrolet items will not fit under a Vette.
don't toss out your Alternator for chrome bling, rebuild and clean or polish your orginal !
remove every part clean , and paint it either orginal,
or choose a color scheme that matches your car. 69VETT

Alan 71

Hi Holmes,
I'm a big fan of engine compartments.
I think CLEAN is the key word. If everything is clean and fresh looking I don't think 'HOW MUCH $$$' you spent is as big an issue.
I also think that the compartment needs to have a 'THEME', not just a bunch of parts. It could be stock, billet, race or.....?
Regards,
Alan

I've posted this picture often, and people seem to like it very much.
It's just very stock and very clean.

SuprJames

Clean engine compartment makes all the difference. Just check out what a little cleaning can do:

Before:



After:





Seriously though....if flat black is easy, cheap, and looks great. Sand it, primer it, flat black it, organize the typical snake pit of wires and vaccum lines, and call it a day.

Bubs

Ya Right!

Alan 71

Just an added thought here... SJ suggested 'flat' black, I find 'flat' is much harder to maintain than semi-flat or semi-gloss in the engine compartment.
Regards,
Alan

RunningMan373

That's the quote of the day!

Black_Magic

Here's my '65 before-after cleanup

ZZ4 Long block $3229 delivered.
TKO 5 speed $3195 delivered
Flywheel, clutch setup, A/C, Brackets/chrome/Intake/Carbs/more chrome/fittings/??? Guess $4000+ maybe $5000

George

cv67

I polished every (and I mean everything) possible, even the bellhousing, all stainless hardware, etc.


If I had to do it all over again I would keep everything the way it is, just blast/paint/clean things up. You can spend an eternity and a whole lot of money chasing that little sutff down.

Nothign like an ultra clean stock "appearing" motor.

NHRalph

a lot of soap and water, sandpaper, steel wool (to clean alternator housings) some paint and a lot of free physical labor and time is all that is needed.

schmegeggie

I think we're loosing a little focus on what he's asking about. $6 grand is a pretty nice 383.
I chose to rebuild my 350 and stroke it to a 383. New heads, pistons, machine work, everything from the ship was $3000. I'm upgrading to electric fans, HEI(bought from forum member), and have bought a new Hayes clutch, intake and Holley carb(which I got a deal on!), powder coated a few things, so I'm up to about $2000 in parts, so far. We've(my neighbor restores cars, but has been slow, so he's giving me a huge break, plus I'm doing a lot of the labor) finished painting the engine bay and the areas underneath the sidepipes. We'll be custom fabbing side exhaust to mate up to the new Hedman's and fit under the 69 covers. I figured this would cost me about $6000, and I should be in around that when it's done.
I'm planning on Carlisle this year since I've missed the last two, and I can't wait! I welcome everybody to come and see it finished!

PRATASEIS

an, not and

7T1vette

Engine/tranny cost depends on what you buy.

Clean up your engine compartment parts, paint them and replace and damaged stuff with stock parts...and you do the work...$1000 [assuming that present components work OK]. Have someone else do the engine compartment (as above), $3000. Do the "bling thing"...$5-7K DIY. Have "bling thing" done for you, $10K. {That's my 'guess'...}