Most of the major vendors (Jasper included) will quote you a price....anywhere from $1100.00 to $2300. But when you ask them when they can make delivery....they transfer you to another number down in the plant and Joe-Bob explains that they will need your old block to rebuild.....not unreasonable, but what if you are willing to pay the $250.-$400 they list as the core charge? Or you don't have a block to send. Sorry....but we don't operate that way. With my block, the closest I could get them to grant was 4-6 weeks.
A week in transit for my block....4-6 weeks to rebuild...another week in transit!
It doesn't take long to figure out they are not very interested in rebuilding old stuff. The few local automotive machine shops that still work on
older stuff may be a little more pricey but at least you get to talk to a real person who will get it out in the same or less time. You don't get a big-time country-wide warranty, but you know where your builder lives and you can work with him to get things resolved, if there is a problem. Warranties, IMHO are sucker bait.
Why do you think there are so many small block V8's being dumped in 6 cylinder trucks? Because it's EASIER than dealing with rebuilds, single groove harmonic balancers and Rochester carbs.
To rebuild a 235 isn't about economy, it's about being willing to pay to keep an old friend going.
Sorry for the rant, but I spent a couple frustrating weeks trying to lock a vendor into selling me a rebuilt 235.
