Engine rebuild cost

[James Rogers]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

Rich took the risk in having them made in the beginning, he gives discounts when you buy in quantity, starting at 4-5 sets, I suspect a rebuilder buying 50 sets would get a better discount. His "kit" of everything is $1010 (no block, crankshaft,cam) to me means that there is a $1000 in the job for machine work, and with efficient modern production machinery set up to do 1 type of engine could have under 10 man hours in a model A shortblock.
There is a lot of competition in the low end shortblock, I would say the profit is in the Xtras --crack repair, fancy cams, larger valves, lightened flywheels, counterweighted cranks and the added value of a totally assembled sorted out complete engine.

Rich could have kept his bearings, and rods all to himself,just for his shop, not given any quanity discounts, but he will share them with anybody that wants to buy them , and a shop that buys many gets a better price than a person buying 1 ----this is better than many of the auto parts stores treat the trade.

I didn't say there was anything wrong with it. It justr makes it hard to compete. BTW, I do buy most of my parts from him including inserts and rods and valve sets. Sometimes 10 sets at a time, the discount is the same 5 or 500 sets.

[mkmskm]

I just finished up an engine last week, started as a $150 long block from a barn. I had it sandblasted, farmed out the machine work, painted it myself, and rebuilt the oil pump and distributor myself. I am fortunate we have a local Babbitt shop here in town so I just took the motor to them, and then as a club "garage night" we did the reassembly. I figure I have $2500 in it.

[jkeesey]

Just got an engine last week from Ora at Schwalms. Just finished its final stationary breakin run and road tested it today. Iit ran great and is fully balanced for around $3,400. And that's a long block fully painted to henrys specs. You can pick from alist of upgrades they can perform or go right back to original.

[eagle]

I bought a fully rebuilt shortblock at a fea market/swap meet for $175. I haven't pulled it apart yet to check it out but even a good block is worth that so was pretty happy to get it. Supposedly was done many years ago.

[Ross/Kzoo]

Originally Posted by eagle

I bought a fully rebuilt shortblock at a fea market/swap meet for $175. I haven't pulled it apart yet to check it out but even a good block is worth that so was pretty happy to get it. Supposedly was done many years ago.

What you're saying here reminds me of a term used a while back,"grabbag".

[Bruce Adams]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I am VERY pleased with my Antique Engine Rebuilder's long block, purchased with Hi compression head, touring cam, inserts, balanced crank, lightened wheel engine which was less expensive than others, and has done 3000 great miles in the past year.
See their site for prices.

It goes like crazy and met my high expectations.

[Ten1nis]

Jasper Engines remanufactures (not rebuilds) Model A engines. They have an antique engine specialty area that only does vintage engines. All their work carries a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty. Worth checking out

[billy myers]

frank ezold franks model a garage westfield mass. does all the above with a warrentee

[1931 flamingo]

Where is George's shop located??
Paul in CT

[Barry B./ Ma.]

Paul, look up www.enginerestoration.com

Barry

[1931 flamingo]

Thanks Barry!!!
paul in CT

[jkcrosson]

JJ, if your original engine core was good, why didn't you have Rich rebuild your core?

[JJCunningham]

Originally Posted by jkcrosson

JJ, if your original engine core was good, why didn't you have Rich rebuild your core?

In hindsight, I should have had my old core rebuilt - but I wrongly assumed that there were basic quality standards and that trading in the core for a rebuilt short block wouldn't leave me with a significantly inferior engine (or none at all). I'm really kicking myself now.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by jkcrosson

JJ, if your original engine core was good, why didn't you have Rich rebuild your core?

Good point ! And, was 'your' core cleaned/magd/crack and defect free. If not checked for these things, you will never know whether your block core was rebuildable. As J&M Machine says...many blocks are cracked. A lot of times to the unrepairable /impractical ..cost wise condition. Was the 'core' in that category.. without checking never know !

So, that brings us to the present where there are those who want ' a lawyer' to be involved. Ha, lawyer fees may make you wish you had spent that money on a good engine. Know the saying..good money after bad , well this could be such example.
My first (lawyer) question would be ...have YOU made a written itemized request , to the rebuilder, for money owed to you ? Request written reply..certified mail/signature ? Heck, you might be surprised what such written evidence might yield. Especially, if you mention that your next step is your lawyer

[JJCunningham]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Good point ! And, was 'your' core cleaned/magd/crack and defect free. If not checked for these things, you will never know whether your block core was rebuildable. As J&M Machine says...many blocks are cracked. A lot of times to the unrepairable /impractical ..cost wise condition. Was the 'core' in that category.. without checking never know !

So, that brings us to the present where there are those who want ' a lawyer' to be involved. Ha, lawyer fees may make you wish you had spent that money on a good engine. Know the saying..good money after bad , well this could be such example.
My first (lawyer) question would be ...have YOU made a written itemized request , to the rebuilder, for money owed to you ? Request written reply..certified mail/signature ? Heck, you might be surprised what such written evidence might yield. Especially, if you mention that your next step is your lawyer

You make a good point Hardtimes - it's impossible to say what the condition of my old block was without close inspection and cleaning. I do know it didn't have any problem-causing cracks, and it wasn't soldered together. I also know he rebuilt it, and sold it within 3 weeks, so it couldn't have been too problematic.

Regardless, it's water under the bridge now, and I'm well on my way to locating a locating a new block for my car, having learned a valuable (and expensive) lesson.

[silversink]

Originally Posted by JJCunningham

You make a good point Hardtimes - it's impossible to say what the condition of my old block was without close inspection and cleaning. I do know it didn't have any problem-causing cracks, and it wasn't soldered together. I also know he rebuilt it, and sold it within 3 weeks, so it couldn't have been too problematic.

Regardless, it's water under the bridge now, and I'm well on my way to locating a locating a new block for my car, having learned a valuable (and expensive) lesson.

and we all know who to steer clear from in the future

[J and M Machine]

As I mentioned on another post today: Things you should be asking the machine shop.
Rather than how much does it cost shouldn't be your decision what are you getting for your money. Basically for the person above received two lemons.
Filling cracks with lead or JB weld for that matter from a professional shop isn't professional.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by J and M Machine

As I mentioned on another post today: Things you should be asking the machine shop.
Rather than how much does it cost shouldn't be your decision what are you getting for your money. Basically for the person above received two lemons.
Filling cracks with lead or JB weld for that matter from a professional shop isn't professional.

Hey J&M Machine,
Are A/B blocks getting 'scarce' for builders of quantity engines, for such actions, i.e. - selling 'soldered 'lemon blocks' ,to be sold Must a builder tell a buyer of such repairs??

[J and M Machine]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Hey J&M Machine,
Are A/B blocks getting 'scarce' for builders of quantity engines, for such actions, i.e. - selling 'soldered 'lemon blocks' ,to be sold Must a builder tell a buyer of such repairs??

Where we are located in the NorthEast many of the blocks we see are cracked.
However with that being said; We repair all of the blocks before we send them back to the customer not with JB weld or lead we utilize metal stitching to guarantee situations like this don't occur. Yes we show every step of the rebuilding process to the customer and have an itemized receipt of all parts and repairs,work done to the engine.
Furthermore yes this does cost more and we have a reputation of costing more but we've never had to take an engine back due to block failures or any other failures of our own or mechanical. What good is the warranty if you use it daily?

Clearly this customer is out shipping for two engines and the cost of the two engines and no good engine to use; Now what? I too would contact an attorney and get a letter of guarantee for the cost of shipping the engines back and forth total refund.!

Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

www.jandm-machine.com

[Tom Wesenberg]

Benson..........right on!!!!

If you don't like antifreeze, then buy a Corvair!