Machine Shop Costs, 440 Build

[LSS&B]

I got the following estimate from a local machine shop.
I am not going to buy anything from Comp Cams.
Other than that, what do you think of the costs? Thanks

Ballos Estimate	Quantity	Price	Total
LABOR
Assembly - Hourly	5.00​	$125.00​	$625.00​
Clean & Magnaflux Block	1.00​	$175.00​	$175.00​
Install Cam Bearings	1.00​	$100.00​	$100.00​
Bore Job Set Up Fee includes 1st hole .030	1.00​	$150.00​	$150.00​
Bore job - Each Additional Hole .030	7.00​	$22.00​	$154.00​
Install Freeze Plugs	1.00​	$60.00​	$60.00​
Polish Crankshaft Std/Std Order .001 US	1.00​	$70.00​	$70.00​
Recondition Connecting Rods	8.00​	$30.00​	$240.00​
Balance 8 Cylinders	1.00​	$275.00​	$275.00​
Gap Rings	8.00​	$15.00​	$120.00​
Resurface V8 Block	1.00​	$300.00​	$300.00​
Valve Job - Setup Pair Heads	1.00​	$200.00​	$200.00​
Valve Job - Per Seat	16.00​	$15.00​	$240.00​
Resurface Cylinder Heads	2.00​	$70.00​	$140.00​
Install Valve Guides	16.00​	$15.00​	$240.00​
Install Valve Seats	8.00​	$25.00​	$200.00​
Hazardous Waste & Shop Supplies	10.00​	$5.00​	$50.00​
Buffer	1.00​	$500.00​	$500.00​
PARTS			$0.00​
Speed Pro L2355F .030 Speed Pro Forged Pistons	1.00​	$515.00​	$515.00​
Hastings 2M-592-030 Rings	1.00​	$105.00​	$105.00​
King MB5116HP-1 Main Bearings	1.00​	$115.00​	$115.00​
King CR806HPN-1 Rod Bearings	1.00​	$100.00​	$100.00​
Dura-bond PDP-17 Cam Bearings	1.00​	$55.00​	$55.00​
ARP 145-6002 Rod Bolts	1.00​	$95.00​	$95.00​
SBI-1687-2 Exhaust Seats	8.00​	$3.00​	$24.00​
340-1028BR Bronze Guides	16.00​	$6.00​	$96.00​
Ferrea F-5052-8 Intake Valves	1.00​	$160.00​	$160.00​
Ferrea F-5055-8 Exhaust Valves	1.00​	$160.00​	$160.00​
Comp Cams 23-700-9 XR274R Solid Roller 2500stall	1.00​	$630.00​	$630.00​
Comp Cams 829-16 Solid Lifters	1.00​	$790.00​	$790.00​
Comp Cams 26953-16 Valve Springs	1.00​	$312.00​	$312.00​
Comp Cams 627-16 Valve Locks	1.00​	$70.00​	$70.00​
Comp Cams 741-16 Valve Retainers	1.00​	$98.00​	$98.00​
Rollmaster CS-5140 Timing Set	1.00​	$170.00​	$170.00​
Comp Cams 11621-16 Rocker Arms	1.00​	$1,150.00​	$1,150.00​
Oil Pump Driveshaft Bushing			$0.00​
Gasket Set
Shipping Cost			$69.95​
Sub Total			$8,553.95​
Sales Tax			$278.70​
Total			$8,832.65​

 

[Aron Gleason]

I got a quote from a local machine shop just to do the short block it would be $4500. So that seems like a good price.

 

[Kern Dog]

Holy crap, that is a rape job.
I just got a 360 back from my machinist in California.
$950 to bore, hone, hot tank block, install cam bearings, light surface to decks.
Resurface heads, light valve job. Hang new pistons on original rods.
I tore it down, I'll reassemble it.
Almost $9,000 to build an engine ???

 

[dvw]

Holy crap, that is a rape job.
I just got a 360 back from my machinist in California.
$950 to bore, hone, hot tank block, install cam bearings, light surface to decks.
Resurface heads, light valve job. Hang new pistons on original rods.
I tore it down, I'll reassemble it.
Almost $9,000 to build an engine ???

View attachment 1833079

That is a smokin deal.
Doug

 

[DanielSlocum]

What is "Buffer"??? $ 600 for installing the roller cam? Really? Isnt that part of "assembly?

 

[GTXDAN]

Here's what I paid last Oct, and built it myself. This motor is .030 over and the crank is .010/.010.

Machine work
Clean/check block. 250.00
Surface block. 250.00
Check main bore. 80.00
Bore/hone. 350.00
Recondition rods. 140.00
R & R pistons. 48.00
Grind crank. 300.00
Balance. 350.00
Total. 1768.00

Parts
Speed pro pistons. 411.00
Rings. 73.00
Mains. 113.00
Rods. 123.00
Cam bearings. 32.00
Gasket set. 113.00
Valve stem seals. 18.00
Total. 883.00

Grand Total 2651.00

 

[fullmetaljacket]

I think it is a good deal just as long as it is a reputable, trust worthy shop.

 

[toolmanmike]

One of our local shops. Sorry it's so small. (my excuse to the ladies) LOL

 

[1967coronet]

What is "Buffer"??? $ 600 for installing the roller cam? Really? Isnt that part of "assembly?

I can not see the $600 for cam install ?
The cost of the roller cam is a hair over 600.
I figured also the cam install is part of the assembly charges.

 

[69Bee]

Ballos Estimate	Quantity	Price	Total My Charge
LABOR
Assembly - Hourly	5.00	$125.00	$625.00 $440
Clean & Magnaflux Block	1.00	$175.00	$175.00 $90
Install Cam Bearings	1.00	$100.00	$100.00 $55
Bore Job Set Up Fee includes 1st hole .030	1.00	$150.00	$150.00 $92
Bore job - Each Additional Hole .030	7.00	$22.00	$154.00 $6 per each 0.010" per cylinder
Install Freeze Plugs	1.00	$60.00	$60.00 $55
Polish Crankshaft Std/Std Order .001 US	1.00	$70.00	$70.00 $50
Recondition Connecting Rods	8.00	$30.00	$240.00 $112 ($14 ea.)
Balance 8 Cylinders	1.00	$275.00	$275.00 $300
Gap Rings	8.00	$15.00	$120.00 $75 to $120 depending on ring type
Resurface V8 Block	1.00	$300.00	$300.00 $175 (Square the Block)
Valve Job - Setup Pair Heads	1.00	$200.00	$200.00 I don't charge for setup!
Valve Job - Per Seat	16.00	$15.00	$240.00 $120 ($7.50 per Valve)
Resurface Cylinder Heads	2.00	$70.00	$140.00 $80 pr.
Install Valve Guides	16.00	$15.00	$240.00 $96 ($6 ea.)
Install Valve Seat	8.00	$25.00	$200.00 $112 ($14 ea.)
Hazardous Waste & Shop Supplies	10.00	$5.00	$50.00 EPA $10 Shop Supplies $35
Buffer	1.00	$500.00	$500.00 WTF is this???
Total		TOTALS	$3685.00 $1942

I am either real close or way below!!!

 

[dodgeboy440]

Holy crap, that is a rape job.
I just got a 360 back from my machinist in California.
$950 to bore, hone, hot tank block, install cam bearings, light surface to decks.
Resurface heads, light valve job. Hang new pistons on original rods.
I tore it down, I'll reassemble it.
Almost $9,000 to build an engine ???

View attachment 1833079

Almost 9grand ??
That’s Cheep……
You’ll Figure it out sooner or later …..
Speed & Horsepower Cost $$$$$$$!
And
Yes the more work YOU do the less it will
Cost …
I spent over 6 grand in the early 70’s at American Racing Engines in Elmhurst IL on
A 426 Hemi Build !
Mopar2ya!!
John

 

[rickseeman]

I personally wouldn't pay $5 to rebuild stock heads because I hate them and Stealths are $1400. So I wouldn't pay $1440 to rebuild those and another $500 for springs/retainers. But that's just me. Other people have their own ideas and I respect that.

 

[RemCharger]

I subtracted all head work and valvetrain pieces and came up with 4322.

 

[LSS&B]

Thanks All. I have not paid or authorized anything but cleaning and measuring. Appreciate shared experiences.
My shop is on the high side of prices, apparently, although I have a knowledgeable friend in Indiana who says the labor is normal for his area.
I don't know what Buffer is. Need to ask.
The price is supposed to be assemble short block and heads. Need to ask if cam is included.
Ballos is a big shop that does 2000 orders/jobs per year, according to the owner. Part of the problem may be that they don't need my business.
I may need to look into a different shop doing the work. I have a call out to another acquaintance who is knowledgeable about our area. He may recommend someone else.

 

[gtxdana]

Since I came across another block that was a better date code match, I had a machinist friend "clone" the second block to match the first one I had done.

Hot tank and shotblast block
Hot tank crank which I didn't use
Bore and hone with torque plates
Line hone block
Parallel deck block
Install cam bearings and freeze plugs
$750 total

It makes no sense to dump a bunch of money into old, junk heads. Paint a set of 440 Source heads orange and upgrade springs and retainers if needed.

Same goes with connecting rods. Spend a few bucks more and buy some new ones. That piece of metal will only bend so many times before it breaks.

 

[rickseeman]

Bear in mind these are Mopar parts, therefore if you don't have them now, you may never get them. Like those rocker arms. They have been out of stock forever. Comp is finishing up 33 sets of them. 32 are sold.......

 

[GTXDAN]

I personally wouldn't pay $5 to rebuild stock heads because I hate them and Stealths are $1400. So I wouldn't pay $1440 to rebuild those and another $500 for springs/retainers. But that's just me. Other people have their own ideas and I respect that.

You're right that's spending way to much on stock heads. Buy some aluminum heads and get better performance and save a bunch of weight.

 

[66 Sat]

The first thing you have to do is separate the parts and labor, the labor cost is $3,339 plus the $500 buffer that looks like a contingency amount or miscellaneous charge - definitely need to check this but if it's just an estimate and not a firm quote then I'm not surprised to see this.

The parts cost is the cost plus their margin and the screw-around of ordering them, tracking them, taking responsibility if something is wrong or doesn't fit etc.
Easy to check how much they are making on them - they've given you a comprehensive breakdown.
Supply the parts yourself and save some $$$, but you wear the risk on them.

You have to compare apples to apples.

 

[GTXDAN]

One thing you don't see on the parts list is push rods. You're most likely going to have to buy push rods to go with that cam and lifters.

 

[dadsbee]

Wish I could get an engine built for that little...