Price of Engine Machine Work

[Christopher R.]

[Mike M.]

Re: Price of Engine Machine Work

that would have cost about 500 bucks here in maryland. mike

[Jim D.]

Re: Price of Engine Machine Work

About $500 here in Wa. state as well.

[Rob A.]

Re: Price of Engine Machine Work

Chris,

Assuming he did give you a more than fair price.....it will pay off, assuming you are happy with the work, by any future work you give him and/or any referals you provide him. I would certainly wait until you have broken in and operated the engine to your satisfaction before you entertain any ideas of offering additional compensation. Glad to hear someone is happy with the price of work they had done, considering all of the stories to the contrary.

[Philip C.]

Chris, Mike and Jim are pulling your chain

Chris price for a job like this is like asking what a house cost to build.Too many variable. Iam sure you boiled it, cam bearing, freeze plugs bore and hone, a full rebuild. Head work seats guides mill etc, labor alone is more than 1500.00 to 2500.00 easy. Call some shops in your area for a quote. If hes capable to do the work. He should know what to charge you, Phil 8063

[Christopher R.]

Re: Chris, Mike and Jim are pulling your chain

Thanks, Phil. I knew those guys were kidding about $500. Just to get the crank re-nitrided after being tuned 10 under was $400. Those guys should be ashamed. After all, I never kid around.

You can get an accurate price for what it'd cost to build a house if you specify the geographic area, construction type and quality, and square footage. I thought I did something similar. Guess not. I realize that people are reluctant to be specific when there are so many variables. I thought I eliminated all the variables by stating that everything in and on the block and heads was machined.

I was thinking $3500, just from what I've heard others paid for similar work. Just trying to get a reality check before I went back to him. Yes, I value this guy and agree that people should be fairly paid for their work and expertise. When I go talk to the guy, I'll go over the various steps involved and try to figure it out as we go. This'll be delicate, because I don't want to unwittingly insult him. Conversations about money are always tricky. I wanted some idea of where the conversation was going to go before I started it.

A few months ago, I called a high end shop. One of those brightly lit and clean places with lots of machines on the floor. They wanted $10,000. I knew that was high.

[Ray C.]

Re: Chris, Mike and Jim are pulling your chain

I have rebuilt three small blocks. Two of the three blocks were bored 30 over and other than the heads and the cam bearings I did all the assembly work. The machine shop/engine builder charged me $1800.00 for all machine work; sub-assemblies and this included all parts. The last engine he actually assembled at the same price.

Ray

[Mike McKown]

Re: Price of Engine Machine Work

Unless they're having a precision type rebuild done, some of these guys are getting ripped off and it "ain't the machinist".

Bore, valve job, press pistons on/off, cut the crank, install cam bearings, rotating parts balance should be around $500-$700. Doesn't include cutting the heads, deck or line bore which is probably not a necessity. Prices may vary according to locality and how the machinist rates his own self importance.

Your machinist doesn't need a tip. Save that for your waitress when you take him to lunch.

At the prices some quoted, you couldn't afford to rebuild one if you did all the assembly.

My opinion.

[Jim D.]

Re: Chris, Mike and Jim are pulling your chain

Not pulling anyone's chain. I stand by my $500 estimate because I just had a small block built and the price for all machine work, balance and assembly was $500.

[Chuck R.]

Re: My 350

Block tanked and checked for cracks $100.00
Eight holes bored .030 over = $240.00
Cam bearings set and line bored = $50.00
Freeze out and oil galley plugs installed = $10.00
Crank polished (still standard measures) $50.00
Eight connecting rods trued up $40.00

Total = $490.00

Now the heads, that was another story.

Both #461 heads rebuilt from scratch with new everything = $480.00 for the pair.

Chuck

[Phil P.]

Re: My 350

just picked up my 67 427 from the machine shop today---
following parts are new---

pistons .040 forged
rings
all bearings
eagle rods
complete comp roller cam kit
full felpro gasket kit
soft plug and oil galley plugs

labor on block
r&r cam bearings
bore/hone block with torque plates
align hone mains
polish crank
balance assy
plus $160.00 for other labor items
labor $935 parts $2211 for a $3146 total

the cam kit was $962 which was really not needed but it's my car and i want it my way
deck was untouched and the broach marks look excellent---figured i would loose something in that area after the hot tank but i did'nt

[Ken B.]

Re: My 350

HAD MY MOTOR DONE ABOUT 5 WEEKS AGO..New everything pistons rods bearings cam freeze plugs and new dual plane manifold and dynoed..4300.00

[Chuck S.]

Re: My 350

Chuckster, it will depend on how the engine starts and runs for you, but it looks like people still get real value for their money in your area.

I remember taking my Chevy to a local dealer there to get the two rear wheel cylinders replaced. One of the cylinders was leaking, and I figured I should at least replace the pair. The service writer virtually refused to take my money for the other wheel cylinder, saying "They (Chevrolets) have a lot wrong with them, but the wheel cylinders are very dependable." I think the repair cost me about $25, which wasn't much even in those days...it was a remarkable relief from the usual "gouging".

[Chuck R.]

Re: Yup

I guess the proof will be in the pudding when I turn the key Chuck.

"Good Guys" giving fair shakes are far and few between these days.