-=How much to machine a block???=-

Unless you get an answer from a qualified machinist, any answer you get here is pure speculation.

varies from area to area. Just ask a few local machine shops.

EL1NOR said:

That's nice and all SD, but I was looking for an answer from someone who has already paid to have it done to their engine. be it a 289, etc... just to get an idea as to if it's like $200... $800... $1,500...

-Tim

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I don't mean to degrade the board but there is a TREMENDOUS variation of expertise here AND there are many variables in such work. Anyone doing the work must be skilled and have the right equipment. Hourly labor rates can easily be in the $75/hour range. I can see it in the $1K area.

EL1NOR said:

How much would it cost to take a bare-bones 351W block to a machine shop and have them bore it .030 over and clearance it for a 4.000" stroker crank, along with the typical "dip it and clean it" and "surface it" routine I suppose they need to do...???

I'm trying to balance the budget for my little 408W stroker project and would like all the help I can get.

Thanks to anyone who has experience or is willing to help,
-Tim

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Everyshop is different but here is what I just recently paid at my local shop in Bel AIr, MD

Tear down and clean block: $85
Bore to .030 : $18 a hole


As for making the detailed mods to the block to make the stroker crank fit you are looking at a non-standard job so hourly shop fees will be assessed based on how long it takes them to do it. And it all honesty it would prob be cheaper long run to buy a crank designed to go into the block without clearancing needed. When it was all said and done I dropped $2500 at the machine shop, however 1300 of that ended up being parts and gaskets so the labor bill was 1200. I told them I wanted to spend exactly 500 in labor on the heads, so then we can assume my total bill was $700 in total labor to do the following:

Tear down block
Dip everything
Crack check everything
Paint block
Measure and Turn crank
Measure rods
Clearance rods
Press new pistons to rods
Bore block
Drill and tap block for 4 bolt caps
line hone block
assemble and balance rotating assembly
assemble short block + mount heads. Everything else I did.

Notice how the block needed no clearancing? That's because the stroker crank I used was machined to fit into my 351c block without needed to do anything to the block. I needed it turned cause I was re-using it after the first motor it was in blew up. I don't know if this information will help you, since every shop charges different fees....AND DOES VARYING QUALITY OF WORK.

Check out this link.

http://www.golenengineservice.com/

Look at the machining service link. About 50% higher than my area, but I'm in the sticks in Kentucky. Anyway, they are a good ballpark and reference.

I just got home and found my receipts from having my engine done. It was built in Dec. of '99, and here's the breakdown:
Clean and cook block - 75.00
Bore block .030 - 96.00
resurface heads - 40.00
Turn crank .010 - 100.00
Cam bearings and freeze plugs - 50.00
Balance complete rotating assy - 150.00
Dis-assemble and assemble whole motor - 400.00

Total bill for all machine work including new bearings, new valves, valve job, modify block for gear drive and some other small items was 1792.71
This was all done in Pennsylvania by a guy who builds motors for a couple of NASCAR north drivers.

On top of that, add:
Custom Canton 7 qt. oil pan and oil pump/pickup - 495.00
Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake, cam, and carb - 550.00
Valve springs, retainers and lock kit - 135.00
Accudrive gear drive - 200.00
Aluminum water pump - 140.00
Mallory Distributer - 200.00
'69 351W heads - 50.00
That totals roughly 3500.00 for the complete motor! (I could have bought a crate motor for less)

yeah, just don't have compression over 10:1 or so (assuming ur using aluminum heads)

You don't need a 408 to be king of the hill... a well built 347 stroker will get you respect from just about anybody...

The way to save money on engines is in having a realistic expectation of what you want it to do. There's not much gain in dropping some war dog engine that breaks the tranny, differential, or axles... just have a good vision of the big picture.

Check out this link. It has just about every labor price you can think of for an engine buildup.

http://www.gessford.com/cobraparts/images/enginequotes.htm