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Hi Guys,
Has anyone had their 230 rebuilt recently? I'm wondering what ballpark machine shop prices are these days to refurb a long block. I realized parts needed will add to the cost, but assuming I walk in with a good block, crank, rods, flywheel, etc........what's the going rate these days?
Where I'm going with this is I'm trying to determine if buying a core T-245 (which are around for two or 300 bucks) and having it rebuilt locally is going to be any cheaper than buying a rebuilt motor from Midwest or VPW and having it shipped half way across the country to me. Any insight would be appreciated.
thanks,
bob
Engine Rebuild Costs
Moderators: Cal_Gary, T. Highway, Monkey Man, robi
Re: Engine Rebuild Costs
Parts alone are going to run $2,000 without deals. (I spend a lot of time finding the parts ahead of time for better pricing.) Depending on what needs to be done, $350 to $1,200 for cleaning, boring, crank polishing, rod rebuilding, valve seats, replace or repair guides, valve refinishing, decking and head milling. If the shop does the installation of bearings, rings, crank, rods and pistons, more.
"It may be ugly, but at least it is slow!"
Re: Engine Rebuild Costs
Bob, pricing a complete engine rebuild depends on a multiple of factors, including the condition of the engine before rebuild and your desired level of perfection, both mechanically and cosmetically. I'm in the middle of a T245 rebuild, which is taking considerably longer and costing more simply because I want it to be as good as possible. So I'm going to the trouble and expense of things like polishing the rods and balancing the reciprocating and rotating assemblies, having the crank bearing saddles line honed, etc. But a serviceable engine could certainly be built without those things; the factory built these short block flathead sixes for over forty years without such niceties as polished rods.
If you want to keep a close watch on how the rebuild is done (my personal requirement), find a reasonably local shop that works on these old engines (and likes to do so), that has a good reputation, and that you have a high comfort level with (is the shop organized and clean, is the head tech willing to explain and show you what they do and how they do it, etc.?) There are plenty of horror stories out there about shops that charge two or three times their estimate, and deliver a barely running (if that) engine.
The farther the shop is from you, the more they know how unlikely you are going to be able to come back if the work is substandard.
Having run a dealership service department that did work on older motorcycles, I can tell you from experience that any estimate for work on old engines is just that: an estimate. I'd take whatever number is provided and add at least 50%. If you're lucky, the final bill will be close to that.
Sometimes the cheapest rebuild turns out to be the most expensive. There are engine stories just on this forum to bear that out.
If you want to keep a close watch on how the rebuild is done (my personal requirement), find a reasonably local shop that works on these old engines (and likes to do so), that has a good reputation, and that you have a high comfort level with (is the shop organized and clean, is the head tech willing to explain and show you what they do and how they do it, etc.?) There are plenty of horror stories out there about shops that charge two or three times their estimate, and deliver a barely running (if that) engine.
The farther the shop is from you, the more they know how unlikely you are going to be able to come back if the work is substandard.
Having run a dealership service department that did work on older motorcycles, I can tell you from experience that any estimate for work on old engines is just that: an estimate. I'd take whatever number is provided and add at least 50%. If you're lucky, the final bill will be close to that.
Sometimes the cheapest rebuild turns out to be the most expensive. There are engine stories just on this forum to bear that out.
“When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, IT IS THEIR RIGHT, IT IS THEIR DUTY, TO THROW OFF SUCH GOVERNMENT...” -Declaration of Independence, 1776
Re: Engine Rebuild Costs
I did the Midwest Deal. Called and 14 days later an engine (long block) showed up at my doorstep ready to install. Swapped out the bits from my motor, got it fired up, strapped my long block to the palette and gave them a call. Next day a truck comes by and picks it up. Deal done! It was the fastest most painless engine rebuild/swap I've ever gone through. Runs good too!
So, that's an option.
-jim lee
So, that's an option.
-jim lee
Carryall WC53 Blog : https://www.eskimo.com/~jimlee/Home/Car ... _Blog.html
Re: Engine Rebuild Costs
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the posts........good info! Jim, your option certainly has its merits, to be sure. Unfortunately, I don't have a T-245 core to supply back, but I hear what you're saying. I do know where one or two rebuild candidates can be found, just have to factor their purchase cost into it if I went that route. Sounds like I need to do some research into the machine shops within driving range and talk to a few. I got a funny feeling most of the good machinist familiar with the old flathead 6 may be long gone........but we'll see. Thanks again.
regards,
bob
Thanks for the posts........good info! Jim, your option certainly has its merits, to be sure. Unfortunately, I don't have a T-245 core to supply back, but I hear what you're saying. I do know where one or two rebuild candidates can be found, just have to factor their purchase cost into it if I went that route. Sounds like I need to do some research into the machine shops within driving range and talk to a few. I got a funny feeling most of the good machinist familiar with the old flathead 6 may be long gone........but we'll see. Thanks again.
regards,
bob