SaintCyr
Can anyone give me a ballpark estimate on how much boring a block, squaring everything up, valve job, machining for adjustable rockers, and balancing an AMC 401 would run? I'm putting it around $1600-1800??? Is this close or am I way off?
Also, anyone have any suggestions on which type: cheby, fard? I want to go full roller or roller tipped just for wear and heat issues not really much for high end performance. Any help is much appreciated.
Dustin
tufcj
You're in the ballpark. The machine work on my 390 was about $1500. That included .030 bore/hone, balance, cut crank .010/.010, check and size the rods and install ARP bolts, check the crank bore alignment (didn't need line hone). I didn't have the block decked. I took them a bare block, the freeze plugs, cam bearings, and oil plugs removed. They also hot tanked the oil pan for me.
The heads were surfaced, ported/polished/gasket matched, pressure tested. 3 angle valve job with hardened exhaust seats. They were assembled with new stainless valves, new springs, locks and retainers (which I provided).
The $1500 was just machine shop, no parts. Forged pistons, rings, bearings, cam/lifters, valves/springs/retainers, timing set, new front cover and oil pump (thanks Bulltear), gaskets and such ran around $2500 more, so total cost for the build was around $4000. I did the assembly myself. Things like a cam bearing installation tool are needed and run about $150 for that one tool (which I have), so it may pay to have a shop do some of that work too, if you aren't familiar with it, or don't have the tools.
Bob
tufcj
Dallas Lemon
I spent $1700 for a short block machine work, with the master engine kit and new pistons. Another $1500 for the Eddy heads, and $350 for roller rockers. It ended up around $4000 less assembly.
