Rebuild: Did I Get Ripped Off Or What?

[Anonymous]

Okay well the mechanic that did my rebuild is a *** *** ******. Hehe, sorry but okay. Here's the thing. He pretty much charged us 880.00 to paint the block blue, retificate the head, and but some new bearings and bolts on the car. He was supposed to be putting new pistons, get a water pump, and bore it out.

What are the usual things done when "rebuilding" and 200ci? Hopefully more then what I got...

 

[Asa]

if you and him agreed that you would get new pistons, bore it out, and other things, and you paid for that, and you didn't get that, then yes i would say that you got cheated

but
did he ever say anything close to what you actually got?
how do you know that's not what you got?


as for what's "usual" it really really depends on what you're getting
but i'd think that it would mean new bearings, hot tanked, new pistons/rings, getting cyls worked (if needed), and getting the head reworked
but, that's what i'd want for a rebuild

 

[LaGrasta]

A rebuilt engine should be at the very least, what Kragan defines it as. They advertise it in every store and newspaper ad. I would say that is a good general description as to what the common knowledge of a rebuild is.

 

[Anonymous]

What does it say on your receipt?

He should have itemized with prices, everything he did to the motor.

Later,

Doug

 

[gtm1086]

Need more information. What does it say on your invoice. 880 to tear down inspect and rebuild the head is not to bad. I spent $500 alone on a complete cylinder head rebuild.

 

[wsa111]

Sounds like you got what you paid for. To do all the custom performance work which is described in detail on this forum will cost you up to $5000.00.
If you think i'm kidding check out the cost of just an oz head, custom built short block & many of the custom extras like a custom distributor advance curve for your perticular application. Performance cost $$$$
If you do not have the automotive knowledge to farm out the work be prepared to fork out mucho dollars for a professional if he has knowledge of the pre computer experience necessary to do the correct setup.
For example the average technician unless he worked on performance engines has no idea how to properly custom tune a holley carburetor, such as main jet size, power valve & accerator cam plus accerator pump discharge nozzle size.
i'm being very technical with these descriptions, but if you want the ultimate be prepared to pay for it or better yet if you can find someone even knowledgeable to be able to perform these tasks. good luck, you need to find an old timer for the expertise to do the job right. William

 

[strat1960s]

67 Ford Mustang,

No, you probably did not get ripped off. However, you may not have gotten what you were expecting. Before you let anyone touch your car get in writting everything that they say you need to get done. Then if there are any additional things you want done have it added to the invoice. I am sorry to say that when it come to disputes over work performed, the courts will side with with shop and not the owner. The reason for this is the shop has the invoice that you signed agreeing to the work to be performed. I handle all the contract and warranty work for an Air Force Vehicle Maintenance shop. Also, say you take your motor in to have some work done and they call you and tell you that you need to replace this $2000 dollar part that has nothing to do with what the motor was originally in the shop for, go to the shop, ask to see the old part and then ask to see the new part as they install it. Not all shops are dishonest, but they are out there just like everyone else trying to make a living. Some just do it more honorably than others.
Bottom line, you probably got what you asked for, but not neccessarily what you wanted. Unfortunatley, it's one of those things that happens.

Ted

 

[cfmustang]

I payed $3800 to tear down the block, magnaflux everything, bore it out, new pistons, keep existing crank and cam (both had less than 1K miles on them), oversize the valves, new springs, retainers & guides and put it all back together (with charges for all the ancilliary stuff i.e gaskets, etc).

There was also a fron end rebuild in there with a little frame welding. I would have to pull the invoice to itemize out the rebuild, but it sounds like you got about what you payed for.

 

[Lazy JW]

$880.00 doesn't really buy very much nowadays, especially when you factor in labor. I would have to know exactly what was done and how much labor he charged to be certain but I doubt that you got "ripped off" very badly.
Joe