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Engine build invoice.

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tomshobby

tomshobby

Yoda
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I found the invoice for my engine build. It was done a few years before I purchased the car. When I picked up the car and the boxes of parts the engine was sitting on the floor still in the builder's bag. The engine was finished 11/26/02 and had never been started until late Sept 2015. It runs great.

I paid $800 for the car. That included the new carbs, rebuilt engine, the body had considerable work (even though I had to do some of it over), new radiator, and many other new parts.

Still I put a lot of time and money into it.

Engine build invoice dated 11/26/02

Bore job comp 4 cyl .030
Grind crankshaft R.010 M.010
Check connecting rod bores
Resize lg end of rods
Fit wrist pin bushings
Replace connecting rod bushings
Valve job 4 cyl
Resurface 4 cyl cast head .008
Cut & install seats
Install all Guides
Intake valves
Valve cover seal
Disassemble short block
Degrease
Assemble
Misc charges

Engine specs:
Piston clr. .002
Ring side clr. .002
Top ring gap .011-.014
2nd ring gap .011-.013
Oil ring gap .028
Rod oil clr. .0019-.0021
Rod side clr .008-.010
Main oil clr. .0022-.0028
Crankshaft end play .002
Camshaft end play .002
Recommendations:
Start up run eng 1100-1200 RPM for 10 to 15 min to break camshaft in.
Change brake in oil at aprox 100 miles
Change 2nd oil at aprox 500 miles (monitor fluid levels)
3rd oil change at 3,000 miles
Change to synthetic oil at aprox 8,000-10,000 miles.
$1,183.53 total

Wonder what it might cost today.
 
I would guess that did not include parts costs.....even without the parts cost, it was a very good deal. My cost in 2010 was around $1700 for the machine work and the assembly of the short block.
Scott in CA
 
Had my 1275 done in 2000 and total cost, including complete head work was a little over $2000.
 
I spent about $2k on my 1275 10 years ago and I did the re-assembly work, not the machinist. $600 of that was a replacement fully rebuilt head.

By comparison, I just finished rebuilding the 1500 in my son's Spitfire. The machine shop work was very cheap at $430. However, 90% of the engine checked OK so many of the steps on Tom's old invoice were not required (i.e. crank did not need grinding, rods checked OK....) I did have the parts balanced which I did not notice on Tom's invoice. I have another $500 in parts and as before, my labor for reassembly.

Coincidentally, I started the 1500 for the first time this morning. I hate turning the key for the first time on a rebuild. Though I am careful and use checklists, I am always second guessing myself... wondering what I may have forgotten or done wrong.
 
Yesterday I stopped in to visit the shop that did the work. The machinist was there and we had a chance to talk. He was glad to see that after all this time (12 years) the car was back together and being driven. He said that after he finished the job the guy that had the car waited for quite a while to pick up the engine even though the bill had been paid. He told me that he doubted the owner would ever put it back together.
 
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