The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rebuild a 235 in Sacramento, CA?

Does someone know anyone who can rebuild a 235 motor, Sacramento, Ca area? I have a 55 Bel Air with a newly rebuilt 235. Oil pump went out and shop told me that engine needs overhaul. One shop wants $5500!! Everyone tells me it's cheaper to get a 350 crate, but I would like to keep it original, thanks.

I can recommend Shedlers down in Fresno... if he's still in business.

No oil pressure usually means extensive damage everywhere.
May be cheaper to find a motor with fewer problems.

I would have to agree that another 235 would be a smart option. I'm sure with a bit of digging you could find a nicely rebuilt one for about half that quote and have it delivered to your door.

The 235 is a simple motor to rebuild. It should cost under 2000 to have the machine work done and reassemble it in your garage. You will also know your motor inside and out when you're finished. You have a bunch of new parts in that motor that are in good condition you won't have to replace.The shop manual has all the info you need to do it. Second choice, find a good one for less than 2000, but it may not be freshly rebuilt. Best of luck. Shops will often use the cheapest parts to make a few bucks. Make sure to put the best parts into it,(NEW OIL PUMP) in the long run it will save you money. The motors will run forever if done right. On a second note if the numbers match the car it adds to the value of your car.

Oil pumps don't just "go out" - something took it out, and unless you can find out what you don't know what you have.

"The 235 is a simple motor to rebuild."
...except for the main bearings and cam bearings.

JM2¢?
"Matching numbers" is highly over-rated as to the effect on the value to the next owner.

If you can find a machine shop that will do the work for under 2 thousand you should go ahead and pay them to assemble it too... and make sure you get a money back guarantee cause someone is going for (or being taken for) a ride.

I assume you want to keep your engine have it rebuilt VS. a block replacement. The first link is a rebuilder of your engine. The second is a replacement block builder. The second is around 2800 based on your cars year (hum cost more for a 55).
(If your block is shot then your stuck with replacement)


http://losangelesmachineshop.com/tag/chevy-gm-235-long-block-rebuild/#.VbeOqbeRjgp

http://remanufactured-engines.com/Chevrolet6.htm

Cost can be high, but like a good doctor, finding a shop that has experience in the 50's I6 and turns out a great engine is better then picking a cheap shop that does not know that engine and gives you a headache months later.

In addition there are rebuilds and then there are rebuilds. A shop could just disassemble hone a few things and slap some new rings in and wham you have a rebuilt engine. Or a shop that can spend time and effort to check and true all surfaces, inspect all parts and replace every worn piece. That cost a lot more but nearly fresh new engine is much better then a warmed over one

I was told by a few west coasters that if you get away with under 4 grand for the machine shop work, you are doing good.

Its why I think there is a market for selling rebuilt engines out there. The costs are way less in the middle of the country. By half!

Thanks for all the great advise!!

4 grand???? I paid $1600 in Texas, bored .30 over and altered to accept a full flow oil filter.

$1600 within the last five years? This very minute it costs $900 for a full engine rebuild kit (give or take $100 with sourcing, et cetera). Thanks for the forum update work, btw.

This is going to lead the new member's discussion down the rabbit hole, but the only true cost of a 235 engine rebuild that is somewhat uniform across the US is the master parts kits.

Brad

Machine shop only, are pricing me between 2200-3500. Thanks for the advise!

That was 2008, so 7 years ago.

Good price, there. "Last five years" was just an arbitrary way of saying it is an unheard of price, today.

Brad

Yeah, I feel Texas and Kansas is about the same as far as cost of living, but on the west coast? Fuggetaboutit. I just got done paying $2200 for all the machine shop work and I put it all back together. Prices are double that on the west coast from the word I am getting.