I need an engine builder???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
I need an engine builder???
Anyone know of a reputable shop? I just went to the local guy down here and he wants $2,800 to rebuild the bottom end of my 350. YEAH.. thats right, for going over rotating assembly and squaring up the block. I want to talk with a good builder and discuss options. :confused: :mad :eek: :cry
[Modified by Mr.Gearhead, 3:27 PM 11/2/2002]
[Modified by Mr.Gearhead, 3:27 PM 11/2/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,337
Likes: 14
From: Norfolk VA
Re: I need an engine builder??? (Mr.Gearhead)
I bet you can do it with yourself. Just read some books on engine rebuilding. It is not a particularly dificult job, provided you have the correct equipment and a reasonable amount of intelligence.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 1
Re: I need an engine builder??? (Oldguard 7)
What Oldguard said, get the block bored and honed at a machine shop. Assembling the bottom end is pretty easy just take your time and keep everything CLEAN. The only tools you'll need that are special would be a torque wrench and feeler gauges for ring gap.
Scott
Scott
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Berlin,NJ,USA
Re: I need an engine builder??? (71vettman)
Thats about the going rate. I just spent 1800 on machine work, balance, and new pistons along with some other new parts. If you are going to do it, you may as well do it right.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Re: I need an engine builder??? (Mr.Gearhead)
We just have the machine shop bore the cylinders and turn the crank, then my dad uses a digital scale to balance the pistons and probably rods. I haven't had the chance to do a rebuild with my dad. This winter I hope... Then just assemble the bits and pieces. I find it hard to believe that it costs that much, since it costs about $2000 for a engine, tranny, and rear end rebuild.
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 10,258
Likes: 1
From: Calif.
Re: I need an engine builder??? (Mr.Gearhead)
High-dollar Engine Builders for a street or street/strip weekend warrior type of car are overrated, over priced and unnecessary. Work with a competant machinist who can "blueprint" everything and then assemble it yourself. Holy crap, man. It's a Chevy not rocket science.
Racer
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: CT
Re: I need an engine builder??? (Mr.Gearhead)
I dont think the price is that far off from what it should be, although it might be a little on the high side. Did this include balancing the engine, alignboring, decking if needed boring and honing, cleaning fees, magnufluxing. Grinding the crank and checking for cracks. Reconditioning the rods or the cost of new ones, pistons, bearings. There are alot of costs when rebuilding an engine if your gona do it the right way. To do a performance rebuild of an engine its gona cost well over $2000.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
From: bklyn ny
Re: I need an engine builder??? (Mr.Gearhead)
for $2800 you schould be able to have "all" the work done but , you cant feel like the mechanic you are useing is trying to rip you off . its an engine and mechanics like to reuse parts that are useable but sometimes things go bad , if they do you might hate that you got involved with this guy because you didnt trust him from the start. i had a `68 camaro 327 engine rebuilt in `98 bored .30 over , ported and polished heads for $1800 . 3 weeks later a head blew and it cost me another $400. some times doo doo happens. my suggestion is get a crate motor for $2800 have this mechanic swap engines for you for another $500 , take your #`s matching engine home and learn to rebuild it .
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: I need an engine builder??? (Mr.Gearhead)
Anyone know of a reputable shop? I just went to the local guy down here and he wants $2,800 to rebuild the bottom end of my 350. YEAH.. thats right, for going over rotating assembly and squaring up the block. I want to talk with a good builder and discuss options. :confused: :mad :eek: :cry
To assemble the bottom end up to the pistons is another $395! :eek: At this point in the assembly, I'm seriously considering taking all the parts back to them to have them finish the short block----I just don't have enough time.
So I coulda already been out the door with a re-assemble short block for about $1,500.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Re: I need an engine builder??? (kostutsman)
Ahhhh to hell with it, I will just take off work and rebuild the damn thing myself. I thought I could save some time and have someone put it together. What the machine shop wants, it might as well go SCAT bottom end and AFR top side. At least for the money it will scream passed 6,000.... Thanks for the info everyone... I was hoping someone close knew of a good shop for decent money..... wishful thinking... :crazy: :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: I need an engine builder??? (Mr.Gearhead)
I spent $1400 on machine work and assembly of my long block. This includes checking and refinishing my rods (5 out of 8 were out of whack), balancing the rotating assembly, turning the crank, and painting any parts I wanted to have painted. This also includes the miscellaneous parts my builder had to supply (ARP fasteners), and delivery of the completed engine to my home. I supplied the hardware (pistons, cam, intake, etc.).
The only downside, was that instead of taking two weeks, as he promised, he took several months. :cry
The only downside, was that instead of taking two weeks, as he promised, he took several months. :cry
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 500
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From: sebastopol ca
Re: I need an engine builder??? (Oldguard 7)
I bet you can do it with yourself. Just read some books on engine rebuilding. It is not a particularly dificult job, provided you have the correct equipment and a reasonable amount of intelligence.
