general v8 question

[PKRWUD]

Originally posted by srv1
well no offense Chris, but how hard is it to swap out a whole driveline in a 1970 vehicle? simple as pie!(assuming this isnt northern vehicle with RUST!) The hardest part would be the front brackets for the accesories for the motor. all electrical, fuel, and suspension is all basic. now if we were talking about a late model Fox 4cyl-8cyl Fuel Injection swap, then that would be alot of money to do. my figures were not low, they were average. heck, i would charge him $800 to do everything. as long as he brings ALL the parts, all i have is labor. Also you got to remember i am not on flat rate when i do it. i do it at my pace at my convience. if i was flat rate, your figure would be correct. i assume this is bolt out, bolt in procedure with some minor modifications. what i dont guarantee in that labor time is tuning of the driveline. that would be additional.

BTW, did you ever get the clutch working right?

I used to quote $500 for engine swaps, and always came away underpaid. The customer never has all the parts, or refuses to buy a new water pump because the old one is only six months old, but because it's been sitting dry for 4 weeks, the seals have cracked, and I get to swap the water pump after everything is done, while he says "oh, you were right".

I won't even consider an engine swap for less than $1000, and I'm cheap. I do include dialing it in. When I'm finished, the customer will drive their vehicle home.

A 1970 Tempest or LeMans, or what ever it was he's looking at is pretty routine, but you'r going to have to rebuild the front suspension too. The springs are different between the 6 and the 8, and as long as you're in there, it's silly not to do the bushings (probably will crumble as you take the a-arms out anyway). Then there's the tranny crossmember, and whichever shifter he's going to want you to install. You'll need to measure and locate a driveshaft, and hope that there isn't too much welding involved with the new rearend. The brake lines should line up fine, but you know he's going to need disks up front, and the '70 6'ers had 4w drums, without a power booster, which means new brake lines anyway.

Then, you have to ask yourself; how many miles are on this 400 from a donor goat? Is it complete? You wouldn't install a points ignition, would you? Of course not, so start checking the local yards for a Pontiac HEI. The carb is going to need a rebuild, too. The p/s will be different, and the radiator will be too small. The shocks are going to suck, too.

Then there's the exhaust.

Bro, if you want to do that for $800, God bless you.

I'm too big of a prick, and my time and tools are worth more than that. Hell, I still need to come up with another $200 for a reverse power bleeder!!!

Take care,
~Chris