price of machine work

[rusty70cuda]

Hi just looking for information about prices as I don't want to spend money I don't have to waste. I have a locked up 340 that I am taking apart and I dont think the stock pistons will survive. It is stock now and it will have to be bored to clean up the cylinders. Say 30 over. this is no race engine just a #s matching block I would like to reuse.I have priced sealed power pistons at about 35$ each at Summit. I have been working on a projected budget and would like a ballpark figure on the block dipping,cam bearing replacement and the overbore. thanks for any sugestions. Steve in Georgia

[Topcat]

Machine shop labor rates go anywhere from 55 to 100 an hour depending on your local economy.

Don't try to take short cuts.   

Re building an engine can only be done the right way or short cutting and wish'd you didn't later. You may find things out later on it that are un expected surprises.

I think I paid 150 for hot tanking mine. Out here, labor is way higher than just about anywhere else east of me.

When I started mine, I was in the same thinking mode as you trying to stay within a certain number. Guess what? I blew right past that but it was done right. When I fire it up on the dyno, (hopefully this Spring) I'll know it was done right and I won't be grittin my teeth when it comes to life for the first time.

[72cudamaan]

Base prices in our area: bake block  85.00
                                R/R cam brgs. 45.00
                                bore oversize  120.00
                                r/r pistons 65.00
 Other options might include  r/r freeze plugs 25.00
                                        resize rods   120.00
                                        polish crank  40.00
I would consider these to be the minimum operations to prep a block for assembly. You could go farther with other ops. such as decking block, line hone mains, balance rotating assy., full deburring of casting flash, etc. Of course you need to consider your budget, and the longevity expected out of the rebuild,but you definitely don't want to skimp on any neccessary work. It will only come back to haunt you in the long run.

[344speed]

I am getting my 340 completly redone top to bottom. Bored .30 over new evrything, kept pretty much stock except the cam and painted and I am in the neighborhood of 7,000.00

[Tonefiend]

I have a block, crank and rods that need machining.  I got a quote of $1500 to supply all the machining, balancing and parts for the small block.  I assemble. 

[jimynick]

Steve, I think 72 cuda's right on the money. Base price to tank, mag, bore/hone, deck, paint and r&r frost plugs runs about $500 cash up here in the frozen north and the moneys at par these days. Eagle sells a forged piston (approx 9.5:1 CR), SIR rods, cast crank, rings and bearings for approx $1100.00 at my local SS and it may have a balancer and flex plate as well, can't recall. Hope this helps.

[AARCUDADEN]

I would also advise you to ask around whos a good respectable machinest as well in your area. A good machinest is important as well. Good luck with the rebuild   

[the_engineers]

I am getting my 340 completly redone top to bottom. Bored .30 over new evrything, kept pretty much stock except the cam and painted and I am in the neighborhood of 7,000.00

Depending what "everything new" means, that seems very high.  If everything new includes a crank, rods and heads, you're OK.

[polarbear123]

I have a 73, 440 out of a motor home. Everything is getting changed from eagle crank, pistons, rods, cam, intake, carb, deck leveled,stage V heads and 30 over. The machine shop is doing complete assembly and running it on a run stand. It is going to be $6000