I just got told I'm in the uk by the way, told £4500 to changed the piston rings on a Camaro 5.7 V8 really this can't be right ????

 

4500? That like 9k over here in the U.S. You could buy a 500hp 383 (6.3L) Stroker and more for that much over here. thats outragious. And it cant be that expensive because of labor because chevy small blocks are easy to work on.

 

what is the entire scope of work?

Here's a question to you; do you know how much must be done in order to remove rings from the pistons? Do you know what must be removed etc?

If you look at the scope of work, you'll probably find that the rings aren't just being replaced because no pro would just put on rings without any other work being done to ensure they seat/seal

Also, by the time you pay VAT, sales tax, climate change fees and all the other stuff to fund quasi socialism aren't things more expensive there? The govt has a very hefty appetite for people's money.

 

yer i do as my friend went on and on about how much work this is to be done. i think i will bin the block and get a standard 305 in it. i can get a 305 for about £600-800

 

that sounds like a good plan. We're here should you need help.

Those who have not explored what it's like to obtain parts in other countries, even worse, islands, have no concept of how fortunate we are in the USA.

We can hop in a car, drive 5-10 miles and be able to buy most any part we need at a very reasonable price.

One guy I know waited almost a month just for brake rotors for his Mustang. He lives on an island and paid through the nose to get them that "quickly"

 

Yer things can be mad money over here.
And hard to get parts

 

Fill in your profile so guys know where you are

Could have bought a turnkey 400 Hp 383 for that price in the UK
http://www.britishamericanengines.co...evy_prices.asp

and got some $$$ back by selling the old engine

Going to your local garage ( who fixes Minis and Citroens ) for repairs is going to cost you big time
There are plenty of places in the UK that specialize in SBC parts and rebuilding ;
you just have to know where to look.
http://www.roadcraftuk.co.uk/
http://www.chevcentre.co.uk/
http://americanv8engines.co.uk/index.php

 

Why change rings?

It seems like each time I hear of someone's SBC needing new rings, it's actually the valve guide seals being worn out and leaking oil. That's a much simpler job.

 

Have they done a compression test? What are the results? Does it only burn oil at start-up? Or does it puke blue smoke out like mad under load?