SC82TA

About how much have you guys paid for an engine rebuild. I just got an 82 Trans Am and I'm thinking of getting the engine rebuilt. Since I've never had such a thing done to any of my cars I was just wondering what you guys have paid so I can compare among shops around here. Thanks

spartyon

what type are u wanting? you can go with northern auto parts master rebuild for a 350 for something around 300bucks or everything - a crank. or for high performance u usually go and pick the parts out yourself and dont get a kit. then machine thrown in a couple hundred to get that done. my 350 when its all done will be estimated around 1200 and that is mainly the tunnel ram i will be putting on. everythingis ready to go exept for machine new head job and pistons. there are guys out there with 5K or upwards of 10K in there motor. it all depends on what u want to do, perform or stock hey i got a v8!

TZFBird

Wouldn't it be a lot cheaper to do all the work yourself? That is what I am planning on doing except the block boiling/cleaning. And any machining that needs to be done such as head work or vlave work. But, other than that, what would I be running. I have about $100 in intake and cam. But I am thinking of getting some aftermarket heads as well. I am not sure yet.
But from what you are saying, the rebuild is not that expencive, it's just all the replacement parts you have to add in like a timing chain and possibly stuff in the vavle-train? I think I am going to be rebuilding the engine next summer. By then, I should be up somewhere around 150k miles on the stock 305. But with the cam, I got some springs as well. So those will at least be good I know.

SC82TA

I'd like to rebuild it myself, but its tough. I don't have too much time and it would be the first engine I rebuild. Plus I don't have the tools or a garage at all. I want to take it to a shop to get the work done. I just want a rebuild to make it run like new and perhaps put in some performance parts here and there.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

I'll agree that not having a garage or shop makes it difficult, even close to impossible. Have you considered renting a storage space for a month or so? Tools can be rented, books are available for direction, and there's always somebody around who can lend advice.

I have a hard time recommending or approving the rebuild of a 305. If you're willing to have a shop do the work, then cost can't be one of your main concerns. So, get a crate 350 engine instead of rebuilding your current engine. The standard replacement 350 isn't a barn burner, but will outrun the typical LG4. With a cam upgrade before it's installed, it will more than hold its own. With labor rates being what they are these days, a new engine may even be less than having your 305 rebuilt. The engine goes for about $1300, installation will probably be a few hundred more, cam another couple hundred (because they'd install that, too - cam and lifter sets are cheap). For another grand or so, they may even install headers, cat & cat back at the same time.

That would make it run better than new (assuming your carb and ignition are in good shape).

SC82TA

I just want a simple rebuild...nothing fancy just replacing what is worn with new stuff. I didn't think it would be upwards of $1000, I do plan on doing a swap but not for a couple years. I can get a good deal on a 350 from a friend of my dad's that puts 350's in the old Jeep looking Toyota Land Cruisers. I just don't have that cash now and I just want to get my car running well...so I can drive around.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

If you can't afford to buy a 350 now, you can't afford to have someone pull your engine, rebuild it, and reinstall it.

Why do you think you need a rebuild? You haven't said anything specific about that. Most likely, it doesn't have anything wrong with it that would require a rebuild just to keep it driveable and running well for a couple of years.

Just to pull and reinstall the engine would be in the neighborhood of $400 (of course, somebody is going to say, "I had it done for $200." - ignore them). A valve grind job is about $100/head. Labor alone to disassemble, clean and reassemble is going to be in the $200+ neighborhood; if any machining is require, that'll probably double. "...parts that are worn" is going to be very subjective, but rings and bearings are pretty standard rebuild items, along with oil pump and timing set. Plus gaskets. Parts will be anywhere from $150-$300 at least.

All that for something that probably doesn't need it, and will only be used for a couple of years? Remember, a somewhat worn engine will continue running for a long time, but once you pull it apart, it's hard to justify putting it back together less than "correct".

It's not making sense to me.