Machine shop wows.

[BadaSs_Cal]

Just got a call from the machine shop and he quoted me $584 for the head work!!! I think I got an ok deal on the block ($800) but man thats steep. He said that everything was worn, the exhaust had started warping the side. and that it need hardened seats.. Id be concerned about being ripped off, but hes pretty respected around here... Man what a damper it puts on things.. This is only for a 250. It better outlive me damnit! lol

[DT1]

Originally Posted by BadaSs_Cal

Just got a call from the machine shop and he quoted me $584 for the head work!!! I think I got an ok deal on the block ($800) but man thats steep. He said that everything was worn, the exhaust had started warping the side. and that it need hardened seats.. Id be concerned about being ripped off, but hes pretty respected around here... Man what a damper it puts on things.. This is only for a 250. It better outlive me damnit! lol

If it's a good shop, it seams about right. I paid more for the work on my 350 but the shop did the best work I have ever had done. I assume the $584 included new valves, guides, and exhaust seats?

[BadaSs_Cal]

yes. It will be brand new when I get it back.. thanks for the comment made me instantly feel better. He did my father in laws 350 head and it was $400. But I dont think it needed as much as mine did.. you know because its only 30 years older. LOL.

[LandonL]

My machine shop did my 250's head for $150, new valves, pressure test, redid the seats, cleaned, reconditioned the springs etc, surfaced it and removed a valve cover bolt broke off in it.

[JMac11]

I did a ton of valve jobs- 3 angle, knurl guides and surface heads for $125 a set 15 years ago. Replacing guides was 10 for the first five for any other. Lokks like I could make a living in a maching shop these days.

[BadaSs_Cal]

Originally Posted by LandonL

My machine shop did my 250's head for $150, new valves, pressure test, redid the seats, cleaned, reconditioned the springs etc, surfaced it and removed a valve cover bolt broke off in it.

wow! Man u got a killer deal. I looked around a bit, it seemed the average around here was about $300. but I went with them because it was the only place I could get feedback on. Im new to any of this, so I guess this I can put in the hat as a learning experience. Im sure it will be worth it once I crank it over.

[Shane]

quality machine work costs.

luckily, the chinese have not figured out a way to do this sort of work locally. yet.

[brad_man_72]

I've heard several times that a cheap set of aftermarket aluminum heads for a sbc is only a couple hundred bucks more than having a set of doublehumps redone.

[charx2]

Originally Posted by Shane

quality machine work costs.

luckily, the chinese have not figured out a way to do this sort of work locally. yet.

Because they are all over here opening chinease buffets! I think they do a much better job working with the generals chicken than working with his motor! If I wanted to eat my motor, I would by it from the chinese.

[1quik70]

personally, I think you got hosed. I had BOTH heads on my big block done for about the same money, and I thought that was highway robbery! But as long as your happy with the end results, that is all that matters!

[70cst]

Originally Posted by 1quik70

personally, I think you got hosed. I had BOTH heads on my big block done for about the same money, and I thought that was highway robbery! But as long as your happy with the end results, that is all that matters!

As one said one has to consider that different parts of the country. Some machine worl will be much more expensive than other parts of the country. Such as Ind. and Oh. where things can likely be done for less money than the Wast coaast. Also one gets what one pays for. Quality isn't cheap. JMHO

[DT1]

[QUOTE=Shane;4474452]quality machine work costs.

You couldn't have said that better. If and when you find a good machine shop you should send them Birthday, Christmas and Valentines day cards every year.

Personally, I'd rather pay a higher price than to do the job over in a few months. I've been there.

[BOZO]

I'm a machinist working in manufacturing R & D now, but at the last machining job shop I worked at they had a 3 sided thing called a machinists triangle.One side represented getting it fast, another cheap, and the other quality. You could have any two out of three, but not all three. One head building option hardly ever considered (if the head has bad guides but decent seats) is to buy valves with .015 oversize stems and a compatible reamer. Ream out your existing guides and hand lap the seats. This all can be done at home for less than $150 including the lapping compound. This may sound like a really el cheapo way to do your heads but I did a set of 307 heads about 10 years ago and they are still running strong.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by BOZO

I'm a machinist working in manufacturing R & D now, but at the last machining job shop I worked at they had a 3 sided thing called a machinists triangle.One side represented getting it fast, another cheap, and the other quality. You could have any two out of three, but not all three. One head building option hardly ever considered (if the head has bad guides but decent seats) is to buy valves with .015 oversize stems and a compatible reamer. Ream out your existing guides and hand lap the seats. This all can be done at home for less than $150 including the lapping compound. This may sound like a really el cheapo way to do your heads but I did a set of 307 heads about 10 years ago and they are still running strong.

I ran an engine for about 5 years with hand lapped valves. It was still running strong when I sold it. Didn't miss or burn oil. I used the girdle style valve seals.

[Jacfourteen]

Originally Posted by BOZO

One head building option hardly ever considered (if the head has bad guides but decent seats) is to buy valves with .015 oversize stems and a compatible reamer. Ream out your existing guides and hand lap the seats. This all can be done at home for less than $150 including the lapping compound. This may sound like a really el cheapo way to do your heads but I did a set of 307 heads about 10 years ago and they are still running strong.

They used to hand lap valves for years. I wouldn't do it for a race engine, but for a cruiser it would work fine. For the original post, for the amount of work done, and if it was good quality it sounds like you got a fair price.

[oldgold70c10]

I had a pair of small block head done last month. It was about $250 for the pair & they look brand new.

[BadaSs_Cal]

I couldnt find a place I could rely on for a redone 250 head. Didnt wanna cheap out and get the 200$ autozone one. I prefer quality over cost.. however I have a price limit.. $1200 bucks from 12bolt was way out of my range... and I just needed a stocker. O well, Ill take it to a buddy afterwards and have it confirmed the shop did everything they said they were going to do... and drive it like an old lady.

[LandonL]

I have pics of my entire six silly build, but here a pics of the head after it was redone. He had painted it a cast iron grey to keep it from rusting after he got done hot tanking it.
In the pics I had already painted it orange.

[LockDoc]

-
I was just quoted $250-300 to completely re-do my 327 heads. New guides, hardened seats, trued, etc, etc. If they were camel hump I would probably do it but not for run of the mill heads. Now I'm looking.

LockDoc

[BadaSs_Cal]

Originally Posted by LandonL

I have pics of my entire six silly build, but here a pics of the head after it was redone. He had painted it a cast iron grey to keep it from rusting after he got done hot tanking it.
In the pics I had already painted it orange.

Wow I just read all of your build.. thats good stuff there. still gives me hope yet. Thanks again.

[5150.4.67]

Replacing valve seats can get expensive. Sounds about right. If he stands behind his work, I'd say its worth it. Quality machining is not cheap.
Headwork $600
Block machining $800
Gaskets, etc. $200
Confidence in your engine? Priceless.....

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by 5150.4.67

Replacing valve seats can get expensive. Sounds about right. If he stands behind his work, I'd say its worth it. Quality machining is not cheap.
Headwork $600
Block machining $800
Gaskets, etc. $200
Confidence in your engine? Priceless.....

Exactly.

And that is why crate engines are so popular. 1700 dollars at the dealer will get you a 100 percent new 4 bolt main 350 engine. With warranty...

When a guy gets to adding up all of the costs, he's really got to make a decision as to which direction to go with his hard earned dollars. If someone wants a stock engine, crate is a great value.

['70_402]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Exactly.

And that is why crate engines are so popular. 1700 dollars at the dealer will get you a 100 percent new 4 bolt main 350 engine. With warranty...

When a guy gets to adding up all of the costs, he's really got to make a decision as to which direction to go with his hard earned dollars. If someone wants a stock engine, crate is a great value.

that's very true, but there is no better feeling than knowing that you personally tourqued every bolt in that motor... it's a notch in the ol belt and some piece of mind...

also a little FYI here, i paid $2,200 for my Brodix aluminum BBC heads.. it was a roller motor and with machine work to block, crank, and some porting to the heads i had almost $1,600 in just machine cost... so you guys are all getting a good deal.. of course mine was a 600 horse street motor.

The BBC heads alone cost more than i paid for the WHOLE truck originally.

[VA72C10]

I'd also consider looking at new heads at that price. You could sell the originals to someone wanting to go 100% original (before paying for the machine work) and get a nice set of the summit vortec style heads or skip white heads for just a little more but with much better performance...

[RCbowtie69]

i had a set of SB heads done 7 years ago & it cost $597.00,with unleaded fuel of today, you need to put harded seats in the exhaust side, i also had bronze guides installed,new springs for the lift on the cam in which it good for a .525 lift cam & they replaced some valves, clean & check the heads for cracks, it depends on what you want done to the heads, & what it going to cost you,i want stainless steel valves & that would have been another $140.00.Head & block work is not cheap & you could be in the $1500.00 to $2000.00 range, time for a good crate motor for &1500.00 to $9000.00 more power ARHHH, ARHHH, ARHHHH