Rebuild and install?

[JAM1777]

Hi everyone, i have been going through alot of headaches with the 69 C10 I bought early last year. It sounded good drove good but after i bought it i noticed it was leaking oil. But the guy i bought it from just did a rebuild on it and had receipts. I got tired of people trying to stop the leaks in the driveway and took it to a shop. And they said the previous owner didnt change the crank and the top end was rebuilt, but with the wrong size pistons so there is damage to the cylinder walls. And they said the guy must have did it himeself and it was probably his first time. So i need a complete rebuild.they are going to bore out the cylinder walls and sleeve them and completely rebuild to a stock 350 and install with a two year or 20000 mile warranty for $3200 out the door including parts and labor. Is this a good price?? Im not to familiar with engine rebuilds or installatin and would like some opinions........thanks for any help

[ka_jd7and1]

There is no reason to sleeve a stock block for something like that. If the block is damaged enough that it can't be bored to clean it up, you would be money ahead to punt that block and find a different one.

If it were me, I would buy/build a short block and reuse the heads you have if they were rebuilt and are in good condition.

Most people will probably tell you to buy a crate motor, $2k and you have the whole package complete.

Do you have the ability to install it yourself? That would cut down on cost some too. Actual install isn't too bad, tuning is a bit more difficult.

[truckdude239]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...FacDOgodcWwA3g

Theres you a brand new gm performance 350 195hp 1500 dollars with free shiping theres also a 290hp ill see if i can find. I would never pay 3200 dollars for an eninge rebulid

[truckdude239]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...9529/overview/

Gm 350 290hp 2,059.00 with free shipping

[Lee H]

Ask your shop how much they would charge to install a GM create.

[geezer#99]

If it where me, I'd just post a pic of my motor on here and I'd betcha one of us could point out a couple reasons you got a bunch of oil leaks.

[truckster]

Are you sure this shop is reputable? I don't think I'd trust any shop that would recommend sleeving a stock 350. There's just no reason to go to the trouble and expense. The blocks are too common, and crate motors are relatively inexpensive.

If you're not comfortable installing an engine yourself, I'd look for a second opinion locally.

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by truckster

Are you sure this shop is reputable? I don't think I'd trust any shop that would recommend sleeving a stock 350. There's just no reason to go to the trouble and expense. The blocks are too common, and crate motors are relatively inexpensive.

If you're not comfortable installing an engine yourself, I'd look for a second opinion locally.

This ^^^ 110%!

No reputable shop worth their salt would recommend resleeving the most mass produced engine block ever made in the history of engine blocks. Sounds like they found a way to make a quick buck. I'd find another shop.

Gary

[BKSS67]

Does this truck have the original block?

That is the only reason I can see trying to save a 350 block. Without a Protecto Plate you may not know if its original.

I doubt the shop considered this. It sounds like an opportunistic shop. In this case a 260hp GM crate motor would be a better option.

[Indian113]

I found out the hard way about machine shop prices. I took my motor in and told them what I wanted done,like I used to do in the OLD days, I didn't realize just how much it would cost because I had never spent over $1000.00 before. Needless to say I could have bought a crate motor for a lot less. I may be putting out a few more ponies but I paid dearly for them. It cost me over $2200.00 for everything I did. But I bought all my parts and had my heads redone at the same time.

[swb85]

I also seriously question the shop's reputability. Did the motor make horrific noises? Because if it was truly built with the wrong size pistons, you'd know it.....because it would sound like a duramax with the pistons slapping around in the bores. A buddy of mine bought a truck from a hack on craigslist that had a "fresh rebuilt 350" that was never fired b/c there was electrical problems. When we fired it up that sucker knocked like it wanted to jump out of the truck. Turned out the block was bored .030" over with standard bore pistons in it!

[GASoline71]

Originally Posted by BKSS67

Does this truck have the original block?

That is the only reason I can see trying to save a 350 block. Without a Protecto Plate you may not know if its original.

I doubt the shop considered this. It sounds like an opportunistic shop. In this case a 260hp GM crate motor would be a better option.

There would really be no need to maintain the original block. If it were a High performance specialty Corvette or a Chevelle, or a DZ302 in a Camaro... by all means. The 350's in these trucks were just common stockers with no performance packages in them.

I know cats get all wrapped up in "numbers matching", but it really only applies to specialty high performance built cars.

So a 350 is a 350 is a 350 in these old trucks.

Gary

[JAM1777]

Thanks for all your help everyone. I talked to the shop and told them to order the new engine.And they said ok and that the install would be 1200 which i think is a little high but they already have the other engine out and broken down. So i just want it done. This will just be a learning experiance for me. And once again thank you for all your responses. This forum is a goldmine ..........thanks

[cableguy0]

1200 in labor to drop in a crate motor in a rear wheel drive truck???? WOW.

[truckdude239]

if you where closer i'd do ti for like 400 buxs 1200 in an old truck is stupid its only 8 bolts and like 4 wire to hook up

[Indian113]

^x2 boy I wish you were closer, it's not that hard the worst part is moving all your brackets and timing it.

[JAM1777]

Yeah i kinda feel like my hands are tied. Cause if i tell them forget it, they will probably charge me for breaking down the engine and other misc items. Im going to talk to the shop owner monday and figure out all the numbers and see if i can make a deal with him. What is the highest a shop should charge for a new crate install anywy?? Just so i know

[Indian113]

That I can't help you on. I have been doing my own work for 45 years. I would call around and get a few quotes. I wouldn't think over 5-6 hours of labor to install, but they might be trying to recoupe some money for the teardown. At $100 hr. that would be 12 hours of labor and it could be in the ballpark for all of that.

[JAM1777]

Yeah that is exactly what they are trying to do cause the owner wasnt in but the guy he had sitting in the office mentioned the labor that they already put in tearing down and trouble shooting. So im going to meet with him after work monday and crunch numbers and see what we come up with. I just did a side job addition and made $2700 and now this shop is trying to take it all. Live and learn i guess. I do carpentey and repair peoples houses and i feel bad if i uncover more damage and have to do a supplemental. I really do my best to make quality and affordability go hand in hand and i feel auto shops are just out to make a quick buck. I would just think there would be more honesty and concern for the customer.

[cableguy0]

I sort of spoke to soon not thinking. Does that 1200 include all the labor already done to tear down the old engine. Also will it include incidentals such as new belts,hoses,tune up parts,fluids and gaskets needed to do the swap OR is it just labor for the install of the crate engine? If it includes everything 1200 is cheap. If its just the labor for the install 1200 is real high.

[JAM1777]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

I sort of spoke to soon not thinking. Does that 1200 include all the labor already done to tear down the old engine. Also will it include incidentals such as new belts,hoses,tune up parts,fluids and gaskets needed to do the swap OR is it just labor for the install of the crate engine? If it includes everything 1200 is cheap. If its just the labor for the install 1200 is real high.

Yes it includes oil, coolant, gasket set, and swaping the fuel pump, harmonic balancer, intake manifold ect...................basically getting the new engine in and making it ready to drive.

[Indian113]

Ok, That isn't too bad if that's their out the door price. But I would want it in writing, also get everything on paper so nobody gets a surprise.

[cableguy0]

That's actually pretty cheap. Your not doing too terrible at that price.