Rebuilt motor installed for $900?

[UncleRico]

Hi everyone. I just stumbled across an ad in the auto trader out here in Phoenix claiming a 500.00 special for a rebuilt 350 with exchange. I called and he said he'd swap the motors for 400.00 labor. I don't have the tools, the know how or the space to do it myself so I'm considereing this. I read some old threads and this seems to be really cheap for a motor swap, but I'm new and don't know much. When I talked to the guy he said theres an unlimited milage 1 year warrenty on the motor and he described a big list of stuff they do to rebuild them. I guess my question is does this seem legite or is it a bad idea? He said they're so cheap because they can do it all in house....

Any thoughts guys?

Thanks,

Cody

[cableguy0]

thats extremely cheap for a "rebuilt" engine i would be very curious to know what exactly they are considering a rebuild

[Destructo]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

thats extremely cheap for a "rebuilt" engine i would be very curious to know what exactly they are considering a rebuild

Probably minimum to get the motor running decent again.

I'd rather put down the 1300 bucks or so for a new crate 350.

But long as the motor hes rebuilding carries good oil pressure, has good compression, and isn't bored excessively and the heads are completely gone through then it should be alright. Just don't expect it to last as long as a new crate motor.

[Fred T]

Check them out at the better business bureau www.bbb.org

[mitch1965]

I used to live in Arizona, so which dealer is advertizing this? I know a lot of gearheads down there, so I may have heard good or bad?

[UncleRico]

It's a shop called "Auto Spec" at 1702 W. Hatcher.
602-870-1482. I found another guy in last weeks trader for a rebuilt 350 with a 5 year unlimited milage warrenty for $1350 installed! I know there's a lot of competition and Phoenix is a big city, but these prices seem too good to be true...but what do I know?

Mitch1965, do you have any recomendations for a good, fair mechanic/shop. I'm learning as I can but without the space, there's only so much I can do on my own.

Thanks,

Cody

[mrein3]

For what its worth...
I "rebuilt" a 350 in 1989 for right around $600.
The bores were still in spec so I just re-ringed the pistons. A machine shop guy I know went over the connecting rods and the crank. A good piece of that $600 was doing the valve job on the heads (a bit over $100/side).
Now if you are a shop in a place with lots of competition, and can do a "rebuild" like this, I could see putting one together for $500 if it doesn't need to be balanced and the heads aren't factored in.

I'd talk to local motor heads and see what they say about the shop.

BTW, my 1989 "rebuilt" 350 still runs fine today.

[Beefcake]

hey $400 bucks for installing the motor is not bad.... Id get another motor from somewhere else that done right and have this guy install it (make sure you motor goes in).

He probley isnt really making a whole lot on the motor anyway, so he'd probley do it.

[UncleRico]

I was sort of thinking along those lines...getting the new crate motor for about 1350 and having him do it for 400-500. Coming in under 2k on the deal makes it more doable right now. It all depends how much I can get my 60 t-bird convertable. Now that I passed emmissions with my current problem motor I think I may just run it until it dies. It runs surprisingly strong and doesn't really even leak much for a having that one bad cylinder.

Anyway, thanks guys.

COdy

[CG]

you selling the bird convert? it seems like i saw a thread here once where someone was looking for something like that...if you are, post a picture of it in the all other cars for sale area...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...play.php3?f=71

[ozzyracing]

I live in Az, in Phoenix area as well. I previously rebuilt a 350 through Wilkey's in Mesa and was dealing the machine shop owner. A great guy to do business with. Are you looking for a motor, swap, or both. They don't swap out of the truck but if you let me know what area you are in I may know of a few good shops. If you were close enough and had time, I might be able to help. I had to rent an engine jack when I did mine and I completed it in one weekend. This was on a 69 GMC. What truck are you putting this in?

[ozzyracing]

Also, are you wanting a performance daily driver or just a stock replacement?

[UncleRico]

As far as the Bird goes, I will post it. Waiting to get it back from the shop who's fixing the complex drop top mechanism. That thing is crazy with all the hydlics and relays.

I'm over by I-10 and Elliot near the tip of South Mnt. I'm always looking a good shop. I don't mind traveling around the city to find it either. Thanks for the advice. Any other suggestions for Phoenix/Tempe/Mesa/Chandler shops are welcome. I would love to do it myself but would surely need some help, if the offer stands I could travel, but need to wait till the bird sells.

As far as the truck itself goes, it's a 69 shortbed 4x4. It's in pretty decent shape and drives surprisingly nice. I have a supercharged Toyota Solara as my daily driver, but I guess I'm going more for reliability. I plan on using it for camping trips and just to have a truck around. The current motor has plenty of power for me. I have plans to lift it a few inches and put 33's on it and will paint it, but am not going to go too crazy with it. I'm not concerend with excessive power or performance. I just want a decent looking truck that will start when I want it to and is capable of making a couple hour trip a few times a year. I'l drive it about once a week or so.

Any advice to a newbie is welcomed.

thanks

[mitch1965]

Originally Posted by UncleRico

It's a shop called "Auto Spec" at 1702 W. Hatcher.
602-870-1482. I found another guy in last weeks trader for a rebuilt 350 with a 5 year unlimited milage warrenty for $1350 installed! I know there's a lot of competition and Phoenix is a big city, but these prices seem too good to be true...but what do I know?

Mitch1965, do you have any recomendations for a good, fair mechanic/shop. I'm learning as I can but without the space, there's only so much I can do on my own.

Thanks,

Cody

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I checked, and none of my buddies have heard anything bad about Auto Spec. They say to check with your friends to find shops that are good at the stuff you need. I have found that different shops are better at different things.

[UncleRico]

Thanks