Machining: Do I need all of this?

[Ruffestneckaround]

I'm trying to get a feel for machine shop prices before I start buying parts, it looks like this is going to double my investment. 2 questions here, do I need all of these services? 2. Are these decent prices? (In Canada)
This is the response to my inquiry, which included a lot less work...Thanks

"Here are some prices on the machining for a straight six.

Clean Block--(Bake and blast, includes R&R frost plugs and cam bearings)--- $166.43

Magnaflux--(Check block for cracks)----------------------------------------------- $ 75.00

Align Hone Main Bearing Saddles--(Needs to be done before decking)-------- $277.99

Check Main Bearing Clearances--(Recommended)------------------------------- $ 90.00

Bore & Hone Cylinders--($35.00 each hole)-------------------------------------- $210.00

Deck Block Surface----------------------------------------------------------------- $117.30

Check Rod Housings & Bearing Clearances--------------------------------------- $ 71.40

Resize Rods--(If needed, includes checking for straight/shotpeening)--------- $126.00

Balance Rotating Assembly--(Recommended)------------------------------------ $350.00 approx (may vary due to rotating assembly used)

Install Piston on to Rods--(Assuming you are going with full floating style)---- $ 50.00

Install Crank & Pistons--(Based on 4 hours shop time)---------------------------$340.00

As for porting the head it will vary with the amount of work needed. As an example a pair of V8 heads is usually around $800 for a street porting job.

You can supply your bearings however we do prefer you supply a quality brand such as Clevite or Federal Mogul.

Cam bearings would cost $50 for Clevite bearings.

We definitely stand behind our work and any problems are judged on a case to case basis."

[Bodo]

Here is what my machine shop charges in USD:

Clean Block--(Bake and blast, includes R&R frost plugs and cam bearings)--- $166.43

$45

Magnaflux--(Check block for cracks)----------------------------------------------- $ 75.00

$40

Align Hone Main Bearing Saddles--(Needs to be done before decking)-------- $277.99

Don't know what you need the align hone for decking, BUT: $125

Check Main Bearing Clearances--(Recommended)------------------------------- $ 90.00

included in assembly

Bore & Hone Cylinders--($35.00 each hole)-------------------------------------- $210.00

$100 6-cyl

Deck Block Surface----------------------------------------------------------------- $117.30

$100

Check Rod Housings & Bearing Clearances--------------------------------------- $ 71.40

included in assembly

Resize Rods--(If needed, includes checking for straight/shotpeening)--------- $126.00

$120

Balance Rotating Assembly--(Recommended)------------------------------------ $350.00 approx (may vary due to rotating assembly used)

$200 b/c no bob weights needed

Install Piston on to Rods--(Assuming you are going with full floating style)---- $ 50.00

$48

Install Crank & Pistons--(Based on 4 hours shop time)---------------------------$340.00

$400 for assembly (includes checking clearances.)

[amcinstaller]

i can only speak to a couple thingd on that list. to hot tank magnaflux and fully check two blocks (first one was bad), and clean rods and remove pistons, and grind but not polish crank i paid 250 bucks cdn. another shop (the first closed down a month after i picked up my block, crank, rods and pistons) wants 35 bucks a hole for boring.

[SilverXJ]

Unless they check the block and find the main tunnel out of line it doesn't need to be align honed. Balancing should be cheaper as no bob weights are used and this takes a considerable amount of time. Checking bearing clearances, installing pistons in block, installing crank and cam in block and timing set are all part of assembly.

[Alex22]

I don't see why the block needs to be align honed before it can be decked. They most likely said it that way because they don't want to scratch the deck while align honeing the mains, just an order of operations thing. If the block is being align honed then the main bearing clearances and housing bores need to be checked while that is being done. It is priced as one job where I work.

~Alex

[woodjeep]

I would install my own crankshaft and rods/pistons. A ring compressor tool is cheap and it only takes an hour or two to install the crank and connect everything

[Ruffestneckaround]

Thanks guys!