Average price on 350 rebuild?

[fast823]

What is the average price for rebuilding a 79 350. It is the original engine with over 200,XXX on it and it is getting tired. I am sure it is going to need a bore and I am going to do a mild build up for some good low end torque. It is a in a 1/2 ton pickup for general farm use so nothing real special. Long time reader finally signed up. Good forum a lot of good info!! Thanks,

[camdenoilchange]

are you looking for a price on parts and machine work and you do it yourself? or a price to have someone do everything?

[Lt.Del]

If you are looking at costs of the parts only, there are numerous sites.  Grab a copy of HotRod Magazine and there are at least a dozen companies adverstising engine parts.  go to www.summittracing.com to check prices as well.

You could get a rebuilt one from GM dealers for about $1500, maybe a little less for your needs.

[Captkaos]

If you want something for farm use the GM replacement motor is pretty good.
Cost for a rebuild could be anywhere from $1200 - $2000, depending on what you plan to add.

[fast823]

I will probably pull it out myself and have someone do the machine work and put it together unless I get ambitious and put it together myself. I was thinking I could get it all done for around $1500. Would $1500 get me about 300hp? Thanks for the replies.

[VileZambonie]

You can definitely do it for under $1500. Summit sells a budget kit with Hypereutectic pistons for $200 bucks. Figure about $300 bucks to hot tank, bore & hone, and hang the pistons on the rods. If the crank needs grinding about $100 bucks. The valve job is probably gonna cost you $150. Cam bearings if you don't have the tool is probably $40 bucks installed. Cam & lifters from summit $80. New tins, $100. Look on ebay for a cheap used aluminum intake if you wanna go that route. Get a steel oil pump shaft, and new pick up screen too. Use a standard volume oil pump.

[camdenoilchange]

i think others have pretty much covered it, but i would like to add one thing. If your budget is $1500, just get a stock crate motor. The reason I say this is because they are not much more than doing it yourself and you get a WARRANTY! However, if you were to get more radical on your hp #'s, i would build it myself. Sounds like you just want a stock replacement though to keep the old work truck going.

[eventhorizon66]

I'm inclined to recommend building your own engine, if you think you'd like to try it.  I've got a goodwrench 350 and I'm really thinking I could have built a more powerful, fuel-effecient, and overall more satisfying motor (long-block) for less than $1500.

But if you are thinking of having someone both machine and assemble your engine for you, I would recommend the Goodwrench 350.  You will only save a few hundred and unless you are very familiar/comfortable with the machine shop you may get screwed.  I've heard of a few goodwrench engines being bad here and there, but I've also heard that GM dealers are real good about honoring the warranty.

[fast823]

Thanks for the advice and replies. I know the guys at the machine shop they are good friends of mine so mot worried about getting screwed. I'm not into getting a crate because I want to build it the way I want and I want the origional engine in there. Not sure why but I do. No problem putting together myself, dad was a diesel mechanic and good friend is a GM mechanic but the only time I would have time to do it is winter and no heated shop. Now I just need to deceide how much HP I want or can afford. Thanks again. Feel free to throw out some good low end torque engine packages or tips.

[TexasRed]

wood stoves are kinda cheap there at harbor freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32058

[Lt.Del]

Feel free to throw out some good low end torque engine packages or tips.

How about converting your block to a 383 stroker!! 

www.delbridge.net/install

[eventhorizon66]

Absolutely, if you are going to keep your block and know of a good machine shop, go for a 383.  And if your current heads require new guides, seats, etc., consider scraping them and picking up a set of good used vortec L31 heads or maybe some SR torquers (to retain the current intake bolt pattern).  Either of these heads are far superior to the "square chamber" smog-era heads you have on your 350 now.  They will not only make more power, but can also improve fuel efficiency due to improved swirl and combution efficiency.

[nico]

Start looking on Craigslist... Im my area, there are always machine shops trying to get back some of their investment on work that was never picked up.  Just the other day, I was looking at a professionally rebuilt plain-jane, hydraulic cam, open chamber head 350 with a 90 day warranty for $600, ready to bolt in - oil pan to intake!  Less than a year ago, my brother bought a rebuilt factory roller-cam 350 with TBI heads for $850 and it has been a great engine...

There are lots of good bargains out there, especially if you aren't trying to impress judges or win races.

[fast823]

Not trying to win any races just have enough power to pull when I need to on the farm. It is raining here so will have time to go over and BS at the local machine shop to see what they have and check some prices. I wonder what they will charge for a 383 stroker. That has always been at the back of my mind.

[fishead]

A while ago I saw a 350 on the local 4x4 forum some guy wanted $75 for.  I sat on it for a few weeks before I started talking to him about it.  We fired it up after it sat for 2 weeks, and the exhaust was perfectly clear.  I would one day like to get a new 383 for sure, but for now, you can't beat $75!!!  Go through the local classifieds and be patient.  I was thinking about rebuilding my 350, but you just can't beat the price of a crate motor with a warranty.