How much $$ for a basic rebuild??
 

How much should I expect to pay from a local engine shop for them to do a basic rebuild on a shortblock (delivered to them as a shortblock)? Nothing fancy, just something to hold me over until I can afford a REAL motor.

Thanks

well your doin the same thing as me, except i think im gonna assemble it

im gonna build a strong 331 after college in a little under 3 years so im just gonna build one just to get by for the time being

im going with the summit hypereutectic kit for $260, comes with pistons, rings, and all gaskets necessary for the rebuild

i'm guessing somewhere between $200-300 for the machinework done to the block

so it can probably be done for right around $500

So if I went with forged pistons, then I'm looking at something like $700...

but then again if I eventually build a real motor, why not get the cheaper pistons for now right.

anyone else?

If your not ready to build it heavy duty, then go as cheap as you can.

You get what you pay for.

If it's your first engine rebuild, add $500 to what ever total you come up with. You will still need new belts/hoses/water pump/plugs/filters/oil/coolant/clamps/sensors/brackets/bolts/nuts/bits/pieces, etc, etc.

Take care,
-Chris

Well the car IS mantained. All those parts you mentioned are new or in good shape on my motor.

That's too bad. Those are famous last words. It's kinda silly to drop $1000 on an engine and skimp over the cheap stuff, but it's your call. I've done dozens of these, and trust me, you'd be alot better off preparing to buy these items in the first place. Hose clamps weaken and strip, as do nuts and bolts. In fact many of the nuts and bolts you will be wrenching on are only intended to be torqued one time. They lose their strength and reliability after that. I won't even mention how silly reusing fluids and filters would be. Why install a set of plugs that were burning in one engine and install them into an engine with different requirements? How new are your wires? Do yourself a favor and either plan on a new water pump (even if your current one is two days old), or make sure yours is completely submerged in a mixture of water and coolant while not in use. Otherwise, the seals will crack. Your hoses may suffer a similar fate, but you sound set in your ways. Good luck.


Take care,
-Chris

P.S. I forgot to mention battery cables in my first post.

I hear ya Chris... thanks.

I'm just being honest with you. Every guy I've ever met who's done a rebuild spends $500 more than they thought it would cost because of all of the unforseen extras. My best friend wouldn't listen to me either, and halfway through breaking in the cam, the water pump started to leak out the weep hole. Not fun, but I made him swap it out.

Take care,
-Chris

Chris is right... I am rebuilding my brothers 350 right now and so far it has cost him almost 800 more than he expected, because he didn't count all the "little things" that add up very quickly when your not thinking about them... he wouldn't listen when I told him how much it was going to cost...
what about balancing this thing??? thats another 300 easy, but its worth it if you want it to last until your new engine is ready... cause there are 2 things I have learned along the way:

its ALWAYS more than you expect and you may need it a little longer than you think you will...

Steve

Danny, go to Auto Zone or Pep Boys and get a remanufactured longblock for about $1300. It's cheap and it'll be enough to get you by until you save up for a better motor.

AutoZone has a remanufactured LONGblock for $1300?? Forged pistons or the cheapos?

I've never even thought of that... something to keep in mind for the next person who asks me to rebuild their engine or really cheap...