In another thread, 84drb mentioned he needed a new tranny. I rebuilt mine last year and spent about 1600 dollars.

Now I am looking at rebuilding my engine. I have 179K on my car. What should I do, it seems to be in good running order. Should I go for a complete rebuild? Crate Engine? Short block, just do the heads, or what? and What should I expect to spend? I can do some of the work myself, but not the machine work.

 

Have you rebuilt a small block chevy engine before? - read every thing you can
Is there a shop near you that builds circle track engines? - Go talk to them

Whatever you do you will need to set a budget.
Are you going to do 383 or 355?
A member of my corvette club had a basic rebuild done (spun main) for around $2k, but he pulled and replaced his motor. I pay a mechanic about $1500 to swap engines in my 92.

 

You say (it seems to be in good running order). Only you can say it runs well. If it runs well, why are your considering a rebuild ?

I am a big believer in "Dont fix it unless its broke"

8Valve

 

There isnt anything wrong with my engine. No noises, no high oil use, I may go through a quart every 500 miles. It still can get good traction.

But, I want to figure out how much I will need to save up to do a rebuild or whatever is needed. I dont intend to sell my 87 for the forseeable future and would like a near new Vette.

Mostly I just want a near stock engine. My 87 is basically a spring / summer car.

I am retired and on a fixed income, so I need to start budgeting a few years ahead

The last engine I did anything with was many many years ago. I rebuilt the engine in my 73 Vette to around 450 hp. I learned from that, many things... A fast Vette with a single young guy who drank too much was a very very bad combination. I learned a few lessons that I eventually learned. I got married, traded my 73 for my first house, I cried for a while. Had first son, realized a drinking married man with kids is a bad idea. Sobered up on Feb 7, 1989. Been sober ever since, raised 3 kids, kids are looking for decent work now, haveing limited success. When my father died, he left some life insurance money to me and my brother. I bought my 87 Vette and my brother some TV stuff. I think I spent the money wiser, at least my money will be around a long time.

So I consider my 87 a gift from my dad and want to take good care of her.

 

No reason you cant find a local machinist to do the basics, ask him on parts prices.. If it were me Id just save up for a GM crate for what youre looking for you can get a brand new one with a warrranty for less than the cost of a rebuild WITH a warranty.

Figuring machine work quotes and trying to add parts prices up never works youll always spend way more than you thought.