too much for machine work?

[Antifreeze2]

Got my bill today . . . can't read a bunch of it, but here's what I got.
80 Boil engine block
120 Bore/Hone
60 Pistons to connecting rods?
325 Head work (clean, flux, cut valve seats, cut spring pockets, turn retainers, assemble)
250 Balance crank assembly - another shop
60 RR each rod in block?
140 Deck block
90 CC n Mill head
40 ???
350 assemble complete engine

1500 is way more than I was expecting. I'm pretty sure it won't be the final number though.

[ftpiercecracker1]

i went back to my shop the othe day and spent a good hour talking about prices, possible machine work, and just about everything else under the sun. Here is a list of machine work and prices that i will most likely have done. . .

clean everything: $35
bore and hone: $130
deck: $100
recon crank: $125
recon rods: $75
R & R pistons: $40
balance entire assembly: $185

total: $690, this is for the "bare min"

Line honeif needed, crossing my fingers : $110
I asked about head work (porting, angles, etc), but we both agreed that that would probably be just a waste for my application.

Dyno tune: $450
I do absolutely intend to have the engine tuned, but that wont be until a little ways down the road. With his expertise and my lack there of I think it would make for very good insurance, especailly with all the complicated fuel and air and compression issues. I dont know what other places charge to dyno tune, but I would think that 450 is pretty reasonable.

Total total: $1250, which for everything listed above I would consider pretty reasonable, tell me what you think.

thanks for all the help.

[spdrcr137]

Heres what I got so far. Thhis is what I spent on just Machine work

Surface head 56.15
valve job 95.19
Surface block 84.22
Mock up charge for decking 65.00
Change pistons on rods 51.00
Prep rods 58.02
Bore block 105.29
Mag Block 38.89
align hone 100.00
install cam brgs 35.09
install freeze plugs 23.40
clean block 64.34
balance assembly 116.30
Grind Mains on crank 101.25
Assemble Short block 195.00

Machine shop total $1189.00

[ftpiercecracker1]

Too bad you couldnt do the assembly yourself, could have saved yourself 200 bucks.

[ftpiercecracker1]

Something I have discovered in just the short time i have built motors, is that when you start checking out machine shops, look for the one run by the really old guy who has done it his entire life, and now only does it for fun. Go to your trusted auto parts stores and ask who they might recommend, but most importantly do your homework, go and visit each shop that interests you, ask questions, and dont be afraid to shop around. Just because they are nice to you doesnt mean they are the best for you.

Like i said, the last two times i have had engine work done, i got lucky and found an old retired "racer" who had gotten out of the game a long time ago and now only did what he did because he loved it, NOT for the money. These guys are hard to find, but they are out there. Just as an example, my guy has NO advertisements, not even a sign out by the road, yet he still has work coming out his ears simply because he has earned a reputation as the best and people seek him out, just like i did.

End Soapbox.

[spdrcr137]

You are correct, I didnt have a clean enough work area for the assembly process so it was cheap insurance to make sure it was clean internally.

[ftpiercecracker1]

Ah. Very good idea sir.