Jeep Strokers

The 88 block i am going to use for the build needs to have the usual machining.

A local shop that i am trying out says it is going to run me about $625 for the block work and $325 for the crank work.
here is how they break it down.

BLOCK:
cleaning, new freeze plugs and cam bearings-$130 (shop cleaning is mandatory)
Bore & hone- $140
head & block decking-$140
miscellaneous -$68

Head:
basic valve job & adjustment-$148

Crank & rods:
+ crank turned and polished
+ pistons removed and replaced
+ rods turned and polished
= $325
NO balancing included

tell me what you think, i was really looking forward to this build, but the whole $1000 machine work bill has left a bad taste in my mouth.

if you feel its a bit much, get a 2nd quote.

machining rates can vary on a number of things (ie: where you live, how much competition there is, ect ect)

I'm there with ya. I've been asking my machinist for a quote since I dropped of the block and bulk of parts. 225 for the head related stuff, 2-300 for balancing crank and rods/pistons (sent to another shop), 250 for block work, and the bill is still not finalized. I've paid down $725 and I've had a hesitation with this guy since the beginning. I think they take advantage of the fact that they are the only reputable shop in the 75 mile area.

604rail_king wrote:if you feel its a bit much, get a 2nd quote.

. . . and a 3rd and a 4th And a 5th.

there are lots of machine shops around my area, i just was lazy and took my stuff to the first one i saw. lesson learned.

Sounds expensive to me?, I can't find my receipt for my crank grind and crank/flywheel/clutch balance?, but the price to bore the block was $95
I want to say I'm only into the machine shop somewhere $250-300?, and that includes all three sets of bearings too.

On my last build, I brought the head and shortblock to them separately, without the covers on, but with the rotating assembly and valvetrain still installed-

They stripped down and cleaned both, magnafluxed, bored/honed, line-honed the cam passageway, installed all new bearings & cam bearings, balanced and straightened crank, gapless rings, recon´d the rods, rebuilt my melling oil pump, replaced and welded the pickup tube- On the head, they opened up the valve seats for oversized valves, cut and installed hardened exhaust seats, deshrouded the CC around the valves, did moderate bowl work, decked block, then did complete assembly of everything- My labor cost was around $1200-

Oh they also tossed in boring out my throttle body and welding a wideband bung onto my header just to be nice.

What bearings did they use for the cam tunnel line hone? I haven't found any over sized OD bearings for the 4.0L.

ftpiercecracker1 wrote:tell me what you think, i was really looking forward to this build, but the whole $1000 machine work bill has left a bad taste in my mouth.

Look for another machine shop. A $950 bill sounds steep to me for the work they're recommending.

ftpiercecracker1 wrote: BLOCK:
cleaning, new freeze plugs and cam bearings-$130 (shop cleaning is mandatory)
Bore & hone- $140
head & block decking-$140
miscellaneous -$68

Head:
basic valve job & adjustment-$148

Crank & rods:
+ crank turned and polished
+ pistons removed and replaced
+ rods turned and polished
= $325
NO balancing included

I've dealt with 2 shops in my area (eastern Pa). This shop did very nice work, but it was a bit higher than the other shop.
Degrease block (mandatory) $70
Bore and Hone $216
R&R Cam bearings $60
Cut deck 0.020" $128
Block total = $474

Valve job $160
Set stem heights? $40 I had to ask about this one...I didn't expect this charge. Spring height adjusted with shims, Valve tips are set to correct height.
Sono (crack check) $20
Resurface $70
Head total = $290

Rods:
Install ARP bolts and recondition rods $110
R&R pistons $80 (I thought this was too high)
Grind rod small for clearance to fit KB944 pistons $60 (caught me off guard.... I would've done this myself)
Rod total = $250

Machine shop total = $1014.
Higher than I expected, but that's what it costs around here....

doublins wrote:On my last build, I brought the head and shortblock to them separately, without the covers on, but with the rotating assembly and valvetrain still installed-

They stripped down and cleaned both, magnafluxed, bored/honed, line-honed the cam passageway, installed all new bearings & cam bearings, balanced and straightened crank, gapless rings, recon´d the rods, rebuilt my melling oil pump, replaced and welded the pickup tube- On the head, they opened up the valve seats for oversized valves, cut and installed hardened exhaust seats, deshrouded the CC around the valves, did moderate bowl work, decked block, then did complete assembly of everything- My labor cost was around $1200-

Oh they also tossed in boring out my throttle body and welding a wideband bung onto my header just to be nice.

IH 392 wrote:Sounds expensive to me?, I can't find my receipt for my crank grind and crank/flywheel/clutch balance?, but the price to bore the block was $95
I want to say I'm only into the machine shop somewhere $250-300?, and that includes all three sets of bearings too.

You both are some lucky "bass turds",
for everything i mentioned in my original post i figure something like $750 as a "resonable" price, IMO, but who am i to say.

I now have removed all of my parts from the machine shop in question, thank God I didnt owe them anything. After talking to some good people at my local NAPA, i learned that they are the highest priced shop in town, AND that they are known for poor quality work.

ftpiercecracker1 wrote:

604rail_king wrote:if you feel its a bit much, get a 2nd quote. Like i said. . .

there are lots of machine shops around my area, i just was lazy and took my stuff to the first one i saw. lesson learned.

Here they charged me

Dip block=$55
Dip head=$25
Bore block+80
Install cam bushings=$30
Install freeze plugs+$25

Update. New shop, Reed Grant performance. Extremely helpful and welcoming, answered every question with humility and clarity. The man is an engine genius. 50+ years experience
price. . .

original (mike's speed shop)- near $1000

new (Reed Grant)- $550 and thats no expence spared

also has his own custom built dino, personally tunes each engine he builds.

ftpiercecracker1 wrote:new (Reed Grant)- $550 and thats no expence spared

Now that's more like it!

you can say that again.