Rebuilt short blocks

[toolmanmike]

Has anybody used a parts store rebuilt short block instead of rebuilding your own. I have collected parts to build a Magnum head 318 or 360 to use while I am rebuilding the original HP273 in my 66 Dart. I found a couple of brand name rebuilds for $500 + freight. It's pretty hard to beat that price at most machine shops. I allready have a cheap used 318 in the garage but it's only core material.(I was hoping to pick up a decent 318 and just bolt on some parts and go.) Thanks Mike

 

[mrspeeddemon]

Basicaly your gambling, for $500 you can't expect too much- you could end up with just another core. These companys throw them togather as fast as possible just make the quick buck. About a year or two ago a guy brought a 360 dodge from Checker to my shop and had us go through it. Heres the problem that I remember:
all cylinders .030" over except two were .040".
cylinder wll clearance varried from .0015"- .0035"
timing chain one tooth off.
three rods pressed on backwards
one rocker shaft backwards
I think it had bent pushrods
there was more- I think I wrote down like 20 things that were wrong with it, by the time he got done paying to have me go through it he could have just bought one with a warranty from us.

 

[fishy68]

MrSpeeddemon is right. I didn't realize they were so bad until recently I was helping a buddy rebuild his 454 and he ordered some valves off of E-bay cause they were cheap and when we got them they wouldn't fit the guides. The stems were about .005 too big. We talked to our local machinist and he said they were rebuilders valves that are used at el-cheepo corner rebuilder shops so they don't have to change out the guides when their worn. Cheaper that way you know since it's easier to swap valves than guides. He also told me of some of the things he has found similiar to what Mrspeeddemon described. The low price may look appealing but just remember "you gets what you pays for".

 

[moper]

A nice rebuild on that shortblock shouldnt cost more than $1500 unassembled. You could prob go cheaper than that if you had to depending on parts. My feeling is, if you can get a decent job for 50% more than the best mass rebuilt, then rebuild yours. Because it will take at least that much in time and aggrivation to get things corrected when it's in and doesnt work right. In your case, $6-700 (no magnum core, right?), plus the $2-300 in gaskets, paint, misc tune up parts, belts, hoses, etc., means you're dropping $1K on it. Going close to stock, but say using hyper pistons for decent compression, you can build one for $1400. You'll spend more than $400 fixing it. I guaranty.