engine rebuild?

[barroom hero]

well, we had my engine inspected, it burned oil and needs to be rebuilt, and there are edges (for lack of a better way to describe it) in the cylinder walls from wear. we've got one quote for the rebuild, $600, does this seem pricey? we were told it shoudl cost about $400. also, are there any things that can be done during the rebuild to help performance? thanks in advance.

brian

 

[xctasy]

Yep. Make sure the pistons dont park 175-300 thou from the top of the block, like some of our forum members have found!

The best option is to have the block decked, and the chambers volumes eualised by having them cc'd with a pipette. Some have found aftermarket cams are noisy, as they run ramps and profiles Ford would never have used on a mass production engine, so you may like to keep it all stock but with very close attention to the deck and really excellent rebiulding procedures.

The 300 responds to periferals changes to intake, exhast, and carb like a true campoin, as it is a very mild engine in stock form. A good rebuilt 300 is an investment!

 

[Falcon62]

Brian, machine work prices vary greatly by location. I think $400 would hardly cover the basic machine work with no assembly at all, $600 is closer to what it might cost to build a shortblock, but I think it would come in a lot closer to $800, especially if you add balancing to the list of things to do. IIRC, my machine shop bill came in at around $1100 - 1200 including port divider install, rebuilt head with 3-angle grind & 1.75" intakes installed, balancing, new pistons, rings, bearings, gaskets, etc. and I assembled the short block.

 

[Anonymous]

Brian, machine work prices vary greatly by location. I think $400 would hardly cover the basic machine work with no assembly at all, $600 is closer to what it might cost to build a shortblock, but I think it would come in a lot closer to $800, especially if you add balancing to the list of things to do. IIRC, my machine shop bill came in at around $1100 - 1200 including port divider install, rebuilt head with 3-angle grind & 1.75" intakes installed, balancing, new pistons, rings, bearings, gaskets, etc. and I assembled the short block.

all said and done, my buddies rebuid cost about $2000 with machine work and parts. (crank, pistons, wrist pins, cam, gasket set, oil pump, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, carb rebuild kit, beer, bandaids, all stock parts except cam)

 

[barroom hero]

man...$2000 is more than what i paid for my car. thanks for the replys.

 

[Anonymous]

man...$2000 is more than what i paid for my car. thanks for the replys.

ahh yes. but, when you bought your car, did it have a brand new engine in it? better to spend $2000 on a motor than spend $2000 on a used car that has 100K miles on the motor already. and, c'mon its a classic!

 

[Guest]

Personally, I would rather spend $2000 once and do it right, than spend $800 a couple of times doing half a$$.

Just my humble opinion.

 

[addo]

I had a brief skim through your old postings, and may have missed where someone suggested you could rebuild a motor for $400. Didn't find that remark, anyway.

For that kind of money, you truly don't get much. Even if you're equipped and skilled to do dis/re-assembly and basic related work, I can see the budget being somewhat more. Parts cost and shop rates added, preclude anything much more than new rings and bearings; not even a full dismantle and clean.

There are plenty of running motors with badly lipped bores. I own two. I have seen 200 cube sixes cross the desert fully loaded (2500 mile journey) and then survive city driving, all on five cylinders...

But if you really can justify another motor:

Maybe keep your eyes peeled for a complete six you can hear and see run in a car, then swap it in. Some understanding people will even let you compression test it, too. Be judicious in what you buy, and how much to pay.

Adam.

 

[strat1960s]

For $1350, I got:
Port and Pollish
New pistons
New rods
New Isky 262 cam
New nuts and bolts,
New water pump
Spin Balance
Machined mating surfaces
Reconditioning of OZ head and installation of roller rockers

I think I got a great deal, but at the same time if you go in and talk with the machine shop owner you can get a great deal. I was honest and polite, not trying to play hard ball or be a hard ass. I asked question and made some small suggestions throughout the process. That's another thing, dont just drop your motor off and wait for them to call you. Call the shop and ask if you can check out the progress. The owner will most likely take extra care of your motor if he knows you are interested in what he is doing.

Ted