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Is 4K too much for an engine rebuild?

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M

Miser

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This machine shop is good, they rebuilt my MG engine and I've had no problems. They quoted me around 4K US for a rebuild. They said they would come to my house and pick up and return the motor which is nice because I don't have a truck. Is 4K too much?

dynomat003.jpg
 
That's lime saying is 200K to much for a house.
Not enough info
 
As Don said, depends on what you need and what they'll do.

Maybe we can start here - why are you having it rebuilt?

PM me if it is a local Brit car specialist since chances are pretty good I know them.
 
My stage 1 engine build cost would be inline with TRF, and includes many goodies like ARP fastners, APT camshaft and lifters, vernier timing gear set, tri metal bearings and such, so I'd say $4K is fair for a professional who knows what he is doing, and uses good parts. In fact, it sounds just a little low to me.
 
you definately want a complete detailed list in writing of what they are going to do, including a list of parts they will replace, unless you are providing the parts, and sometimes if you provide the parts they will not warranty the rebuild. I would mostly be concerned about the lifters and cam they use or you purchase

and 4K sounds a tad low but then I probably went overboard on my rebuild, and believe me you can get to 15K in a hurry

Hondo
 
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]They quoted me around 4K US for a rebuild.[/QUOTE]

The key words here are "around $4K". That is as broad as it is long in the real world and it can go to $6K really quick, if you don't have an itemized list as Hal suggested.

For reference, look at my site and you will see about $6K including parts and all labor. For what I got, I believe that to be a very fair price for the quality of the work here in New England. It was two years ago this month that it was done, so it would be higher now.

AND......as you can see, every step was documented. No shortcuts and no compromises.
 
Thats another thing as well, where in the country you are, and I see you're in CA., so naturally labor cost will be more there than say where I'm at, in SC.
 
I paid about $6K last year parts and labor. Included balancing and cam bearings installed and Richard Good's roller rockers. Had Her Majesty's Service do the rebuild. But, as Eric at HMS said, overbuilt and understressed( my polar opposite )
 
Is 4K too much for them to do what?..."Everything"? I built my engine myself and I can't put a pricetag on the experience, because to me it was thoroughly enjoyable. The only labor I paid for was the machining. I'm not saying that building your own engine is for everyone but I thought it was great. Understand, I'm no expert. My TR engine was the first engine I ever rebuilt. Do yourself a favor: Take a good look at the guy who's going to rebuild your engine for you and ask yourself "Does he look like he's more intelligent than I am?" Do yourself a favor: invest in a shop manual (Bentley), a torque wrench, some beer and some Doritos and go for it.
 
Lewis McD said:
Do yourself a favor: invest in a shop manual (Bentley), a torque wrench, some beer and some Doritos and go for it.
Click to expand...

:lol:

But ya forgot to add: micrometers (and standards), pin-gauges, Plastigauge, MORE beer... :jester:

Jeremy said:
Originally Posted By: tdskip--But ours aren't Italian.


True, true. I think the last British motor I had rebuilt cost $2.5K, but that was a few years ago.
Click to expand...

The 1750 in this Spider was a less-than $1.5K outlay... but I was the assembly labor, did the head work as well. The English mills come in about the same. :wink: :devilgrin:

That said, I think Hap is right about it seeming a bit low, actually. All depends on what constitutes a "rebuild" in the opinion of the shop. Really no way to tell 'til the thing is disassembled and inspected though.
 
DrEntropy said:
Really no way to tell 'til the thing is disassembled and inspected though.
Click to expand...

There's the real truth. You'll almost always find bill increasing surprises once you're in there...
 
I spent just over $600 for the machine work and parts for my Nissan Z-24 engine. Machine shop has a reputation as a "decent" shop. I did the reassembly. Unfortunately, the truck had sat for a few years and I eneded up having to replace a lot of the fuel injection and emissions stuff that drove the total cost up to probably $1600. Its been running fine for three years now.
 
and while you have the transmission out you might as well go thru it too 2500 but thats with an A type OD unit up rated cone clutch, new uprated layshaft and lay gear and thrust bearings plus all the stuff that gets replaced in a normal rebuild

Hondo
 
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