What's an engine rebuild consist of...

ben04

Registered User
Just wondering. I have aprox.. 217xxx kms on my tbird, it burns some oil im guessing cuz it doesnt leak but i go through a bottle of oil every month and a half in the summer, and ive been told by a buncha mechanics that its probably time for a rebuild. what does a standard rebuild to refresh the motor consist of and what cost should i be willing to pay for it?...
 
Standard bottom end rebuild would consist of stuff like crank bearings, rod bearings, cam bearings, timing chain, oil pump, water pump, all gaskets, and maybe harmonic balancer. Plus block decking and honing, new piston rings, and maybe new pistons.

If you need a top end rebuild, that would include head machining, valve seals, maybe new valves and seats, maybe new springs, new pushrods, etc.

It can vary a lot in price depending on your machinist and how good the engine's condition is when you take it in. Maybe parts could be reused, based on condition.
 
Prices vary dramatically by where you are located and who ya know. If you need them to remove and reinstall the motor add $800 to the bill.

Machine work will run around $800. That includes cleaning the block, pressure checking the heads, align hone the mains, deck the block, and bore and hone the cylinders and balance the assembly. Add $150-$200 if you have them assemble the motor.

Parts figure another $800 or so. Go with something from Northern Auto Parts as they can assemble a kit for you. You'll want Clevite or Federal Mogul bearings (rod, mains, cam). The melling higher volume oil pump. Sealed power pistons and rings. Felpro gasket sets. ARP main and head studs. ARP rod bolts. Note a stock master rebuild kit from Sealed power (pistons, rods, all bearings, rings, everything) is about $1095 out of rock auto. So my $800 might be a little low as I could still be avoiding about how much I've spent on parts so far.
http://info.rockauto.com/SealedPower/5056339B.html

I guess I'd plan on $2500 for a standard rebuilt motor. Note that both http://www.supercoupeperformance.com and http://www.spinningwheels-sc.com/ sell both short blocks and complete long blocks. Their prices are damn close to what it would cost to do your own rebuild. And if you aren't planning to build the motor for a 100 shot of N20, that could be a good way to go.
 
Hmm thanks for the info. I'm torn between putting up to 2 grand into the car as you guys say, and trying to sell it and buy something newer. I wouldnt hesitate to drop money into it, however the market value for our cars has gone down the toilet and doesn't look like it'll be climbing any time soon...

The motor runs fine as is, but it does leak a bit of oil from somewhere (changed the valve cover gaskets, that worked for a couple months). No blue smoke out the tail pipes.
 
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