I am sending my car to the shop because one of the rear bearings started making some strange sounds. I am having both sides of the vehicles bearings done. I am also having the tranny pulled and rebuilt since 4th gear was giving my trouble last year and its leaking gear oil through the front seal. I am having the shop replace some rear end seals that are leaking, new clutch, bearing,etc and a new SS parking brake since they will be in that area anyways. After drinking a few beers tonight, my buds think I should have the engine rebuilt at the same time since the tranny is going to be pulled. I know the engine is near its time (96,000 miles engine never pulled) and some minor knocking. I have set aside a few thousand for this rear end repair, but I am hesetant to shell out another 3-4 for an engine rebuild. I would love to rebuild this engine myself as I find it quite interesting, but my experience on rebuilding is limited to a lawn-mower engine. A far cry from a 427BB. I plan on keeping it stock, but is it worth the cost now since some of the car is already being taken apart; The same parts would have to be removed if I do an engine rebuild next year. Curious on your comments and/or if my estimation on rebuild price is in the ballpark. Thanks in advance...

--Andy




[Modified by andyg, 10:32 PM 3/1/2002]

 

Andy, I'm going through a similar dilemma right now. I met with an engine builder, today. For $1800, he'll rebuild my engine with all new parts. That includes cleaning, boring, and balancing, new heads etc. He's the same guy that did JCL79383's engine. To have the engine pulled and then reinstalled, would cost another $900, but would include detailing the engine department. For $2500, I can have a 383.

This is all very enticing, as I don't feel the cost is unreasonable, and I know the guy does excellent work.

But just the same, one of the reasons I purchased my car, was for a hobby. I want to learn to do this stuff. So I think I'm going to build my engine myself. If I fail, I fail. But I don't think I will.

If you're going to have all this work done, and the engine needs to be out anyway, you could do worse than give a shot doing it yourself. If your engine has some knocking, I would definitely do something. The one thing you don't want to happen, is to get on it and throw a rod.

Pulling the engine, as I understand it, isn't very hard. And there's a lot of advice on this forum that can get you through the rebuild. I say give it a shot, enjoy your car and the satisfaction of knowing you had a hand in it. And enjoy the saved money.

My two cents.

:yesnod:

 

Your using the "while I'm at it " atitude.

If it needs it do it.

If not, its only 2 more hours to pull the trans and rebuild the engine when it needs it. Might as well think about a frame off, "while your at it".

Just my opinion.

Terry