The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Heimlich maneuver needed ...

I just got the machine shop estimate for reworking my 228. About $2,300 due to new pistons & rings needed, expensive bearings (mains & rods), new lifters. Does this sound right to you guys? I know the 228 isn't exactly the most common engine out there, but this seems really high. I priced most everything out from Jim Carter and came up with about $1,300 just in parts, not including shipping. I'm going to the shop after work today to get their list. They do have a great reputation here in Bend, OR and have been very helpful so far. Anyone with an opinion, I'd love to hear from you!!

Most shops make part of their profit by marking up the parts 25% or more from the retail price. I don't like it either especially when they hit you with an $80/hr labor rate.

Solution: Do it yourself. Have him do the machine work, cam bearing install and freeze plugs, and you do the rest of the assembly. It can be fun.

I agree with Houston54. Build it up yourself. I ordered my parts from www.patricksantiquecars.com and took the pistons and valves/seats to the machinist for piston fitting and valve installation.

I have seen figures like that before for the 228. It seems a bit pricy but if you are going to have them do the whole thing, you want the best job possible. For those of us who enjoy putting motors together, it can be very rewarding.

That number sounds in line with others I've heard. Its one of the reason motor swaps are popular...

I'm not at all surprised by that number either. Fortunately my friend owns a machine shop and I ordered all my own parts. It still ended up being about $2000 for my 235, and that's not counting the Fentons, Offy intake, etc etc etc.

In 2000 the machine work on my 235 was just over $600. I did all the cleaning and assembly. Around here most places won't do the work unless you buy the parts there. I had to pay a 25% penalty on mine.

When I worked at the local machine shop, we preferred you buy the parts there, as quality can vary among makers. No 'penalty', but some chagrin I guess. We also sold them at below "normal" retail, comparable to the parts store prices, usually even Vatozone. It cost money to run those 3-phase machines, petroleum products are used, & the EPA taxes the chemicals. Support your local shops. Also shop around. Brian

Another thing you might want to consider is the fact that when you warrent your product you don,t want to provide a guarantee for something you didn't sell. and if you didn't make anything on it, why as the machinest would you want that liability?

If you are comfortable rebuilding the motor yourself then do as others have suggested. Have the shop do the machining and you do the assembly. If not then take a moment to think about what you are buying. These guys machine and build motors monday thru friday. You are paying for their experience. Their Expertise. There is an old saying that I like to quote "Price, Quality, Service - Pick 2" If you want a Quality job and Good Service it won't be the lowest price. If you want the Lowest Price with the Best Quality you are not going to get good Service (Those shops went out of business). If you want the Best Service and the lowest Price the quality is going to Suffer.

You and only you can figure out what the best VALUE for you is. Good luck.

Neil,
I am just finishing up the rebuild on my '40 228. I purchased all my parts through Egge in California. Parts cost almost $1300 but did not include a new cam or lifters. I had my machine shop rebuild the head, bore the cylanders, turn the crank and ballance the flywheel-crank-rods-pistons/cost $1100. I had some problems with the main bearings from Egge. They were not correct(the mains are stepped so none are the same)and so I returned the block and bearings to the machine shop and they ordered the correct ones and installed them for me. I sent the wrong bearing caps back to egge and although they claimed they were the correct ones they did agree to refund the cost of the bearings and pay for that portion of the machine shop bill (only $65). Although I was not happy with the problem I was pleased with Egg's responce. Long story-short answer / your cost sounds about right. I believe I will have +- $3500 into the engine after all new part, maybe more, it aint cheap but it is fun. G. Lee