So realistically how much is a shortblock rebuild/assembly going to cost me in additon to the quoted $1100?

 

First of all, if you want to keep the car and are willing to remove and install the engine and make the short block into a long block, pehaps if would be a good idea to research the cost of a short block, rather than have a mechanic, grab a used block and rebuild it into a short block.

Perhaps buying a shortblock you will already get a guarantee on the SB itself and you won't have to wait for a rebuild.

Check around and see if you can find a shortblock.

I was lucky when my engine blew. I was able to find a new replacement shortblock---4-bolt main for about 1700 bucks delivered. However it cost me another 2-3 grand for the build with my old heads, cam, etc. plus removal and installation--at least that's what I remember--I try not to think about it. Bottom line about 5 Grand.

Good luck.

 

So you're saying I should buy a shortblock already built?

http://www.victoryracingengines.com/...TX&BLOCK=SHORT

VRE Ultra Economy 355

Description:
This 355ci LT1 short block is the perfect start to your budget engine project.
Specs:
Eagle 3.480. Stroke Cast Crankshaft
Eagle I-Beam Connecting Rods
Speed Pro-Hypereutectic Pistons
Piston Rings
Clevite Main Bearings
Clevite Rod Bearings
Clevite Cam Bearings
ARP Main Studs


Price:
2599.99

 

Just saying, that if you want to keep the car, and you like the LT1 engine, then you might as well put some money into it. The car without an engine is basically worthless. The car with basically a new engine whether 350, 355, 383, will probably be worth the money you put into it if you don't go overboard.

If your builder has a reputation for quality work, fair prices, and stands behind the work, then perhaps it is the best way to go. I have a bit of a problem with someone willing to rebuild a shortblock, including furnishing the block and parts for $1100.00, especially when labor is at least $70.00/hr. Whereas, if you purchase a shortblock that is off the shelf and with a full warranty, from a reputable vendor, you might be better off in the long and short run. JMHO

 

Can you make any recommendations as too where to get a new shortblock from?

Also, that price is assuming I do the R&R myself.

 

I doubt that you will be able to find a "new" short block anywhere in the U.S. There might be one out there but one would need to go to a dealer and have them check the data base of every other dealer in the U.S.to locate one.

The option, however, is to buy a remanufactured Lt1/Lt4 short block, preferably a 4-bolt from an after-market vendor. There are some vendors on this site and plenty of others not on this site.

You might contact Gilbert's Chevrolet (formerly Sallee chevrolet) in Oregon---check their web-site, giv'em a call. Maybe they can provide you with some good information on where to go. JMHO

BTW, chevy used to make both 2-bolt and 4-bolts (for the vette), and then they apparently decided to use 4-bolts as replacement engines for the Lt1s, and as is usually the case, they sent the replacement engines out to the dealerships. So anyone who had their 2-bolt replaced, probably got one of the 4 bolts. Bottom line, there should be quite a few 4-bolt short blocks out there that have been remanufacured into 350s, 355s and 383s. Do some work and you can find one.

 

And if I do find a reman shortblock, then what's next?

 

buy it and put it in....

 

Lol! After I make it into a longblock I assume... How much should I expect to pay for a reman shortblock?

 

That's where shopping around comes in. As mentioned, there might be dealer out there with a replacement engine burried deep in the warehouse and they might love to get rid of it. Otherwise, you are going to deal with vendors of remanufactured engines and the going rate is going to be your price.

You might try areas (states) where the cost of living is less, like arkansas, georga, etc.---perhaps they sell for less.

You might consider getting a low-milage Ls1 from the Bone yard. Don't know how hard it is to install into your car, but it might be the way to go also.

You don't know what is the matter with your car, i.e, how extensive the damage is, and what it would actually take to rebuild your own engine. The problem lies where it will take you mucho denaro for a mechanic to take your engine apart to make that analysis, and once they do that they have a lien on the car until you pay them for that work or in the alternative, have them rebuild the engine or sell you a rebuild engine.

Puts you at a disadvantage unless you decide from the get-go that you want to buy a reman engine and have them drop ship it to you and have them put it on your engine stand so that you can finish the rebuild and hoist it into the engine bay and button it up.

When you cost it all out, you could probably find a low-milage Lt1 from an old lady who only drove it to the track on sunday and forget all about dealing with the rebuild. You actually might be able to sell your broken car for a few bucks. Whether your problem engine was caused by your cam install or not, may be cause to consider whether you have the knowledge, ability, tools, time, man power to do all this crap yourself, especially not knowing exactly what it is going to cost you when you get it done.

 

Well, I'm probably not going to be able to sell my car broken as it is. I can R&R the engine and bolt heads on a shortblock but that's about the extent of my abilities and that's pushing it. I don't know what to do.

 

Life is all about making decisions. You learn all of the options and facts and make the best decision based on that information. Emotions always play a big part, but you need to understand that emotions may cause you to make the wrong decisions. If you make a decision, especially one that has consequences, then you need to consider those consequences and be prepared to accept them.

Kinda like buying a horse: you love horses, like to ride horses, etc., but you have no place to keep horses. You are going into the service or off to college and can't take the horse with you. You can't afford to feed and care for the horse. So your emotions tell you to buy that horse. And now that you have the horse, you don't want to give it up because you are emotionally attached, but at the same time you have no other choice.

Not trying to oversimplify the situation, just food for thought. So let this be much valued practice---tis better to practice on the little things so that you are better prepared to tackle the big things you are going to encounter. JMHO

 

You're right, but right now the car is useless. I might as well push it off a cliff (if we had any around here). I make my big mistake when I decided to put all this money and time into a car with that many miles. The car was great before I tried to swap cams, and now it's ruined and I'm stuck with it. I'd be sad to see it go (sell it), but I can't even seem to do that. I'm just trying to figure out the easiest, most practical way of getting it back on the road.

 

It sounds like you have already made up your mind on this, but with the abundance of remanufactured LT1s out there, and if you know you can pull the engine out, and install the new one....go for it. Check with AutoZone. They should have factory-spec reman engines. You can even rent the engine hoist and other tools you would need from them, as well.

 

I got this reply from Carolina Machine Engines,

"Our stock replacement Block Assembly would run $660.00. This is exchange for the old engine core or an additional core charge of $500.00 may be paid in lieu of an exchange.

That engine is supplied with a 12 MONTH - 12,000 MILE written warranty."