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02-01-2014, 01:10 PM | #1 |
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Location: Chattanooga, TN
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Machine shop costs and how they compare
I was just looking over my receipt from my local machine shop from the work they did on my flat head. I was very pleased with price and service I received. The business has been run by three generations and the owner (Bobby Roberts) is very knowledgable about Flat heads, probably why there is two or three on engine stands at any given time.
I thought I would post the various prices for the work they did to see how it compares across Barn land. Block cleaned and bored 285.00 Crank turned .030/.030 90.00 Install can bearings. 35.00 Reface block. 85.00 Recondition rods. 96.00 Install new rod bushings 80.00 Remove 5 broken studs in Block. Took 4.5 hours. 125.00 Install pistons on rods. 40.00 Grind valve seats. 70.00 8 rod bushings. 55.52 Total. 961.52 |
02-01-2014, 01:24 PM | #2 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
Your shop seems pretty reasonable... Except that the 5 studs @ 4.5 hours. That's a lot of time, other hand take a look at the hourly rate @ $125-
THAT'S cheap- $28/ hr. I was $40/ hr. in the 1980's... Karl |
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02-01-2014, 01:30 PM | #3 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
I have nothing to compare, but the cost looks reasonable, maybe cheap.
How long was your block and rods in the shop? |
02-01-2014, 01:46 PM | #4 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
They, were there for a little over a month, but most of that time was waiting for parts that I provided. Egge sent me the wrong pistons and had to wait two weeks. They would not bore the block till they had pistons in hand. I also had to wait for floating bearings etc..
I'm sure our labor costs are a little lower in the south compared to other areas? |
02-01-2014, 01:48 PM | #5 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
Bobby told me my broken studs were some of the most difficult he ever dealt with.
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02-01-2014, 02:13 PM | #6 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
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02-01-2014, 02:27 PM | #7 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
Opinions please .... I realize it depends on where one lives, but is it generally as okay, better or worse to outright buy a rebuilt engine ? ( presumably from an outfit that has a good reputation and experience )
I'm in eastern upstate NY and don't know of a machine shop around this area that has any experience in rebuilding/working on flatheads .... maybe there's one hiding under the bushes. If I drove an hour or more south there might be one but would still have to have acceptable references. A few auto parts businesses here market them .... AdvancedAuto and perhaps Auto zone and NAPA ? Dan |
02-01-2014, 02:56 PM | #8 | |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
Quote:
Shop rates have had to increase right along with everything else so that rates they are charging are not too far out of line for this day and age. Probably less than many others. |
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02-01-2014, 03:13 PM | #9 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
I almost decided to have Bobby build my engine for an extra 400.00 bucks (that's his going rate for a flat head engine assembly) but I really wanted to learn to do this myself as most all the really good engine builders in my area are all up there in age. I'm 47 and hope to be messing with these things for many years to come, and I would like to pass this knowledge that I'm receiving down the line.
However, If Bobby would have assembled my engine, I would be driving it now! I have been doing my assembly very slowly! doing one step at a time and not moving to the next step till I'm absolutely satisfied.. Today I'm gaping my rings. |
02-01-2014, 03:49 PM | #10 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
Some of these prices don't make any sense. How can you grind a crank .030 Under ( 150/200$ most places) and then charge 40 bucks to put the pistons on the rods. Then charge 70 dollars to grind the valves. I'll admit the total cost is low, that much worl around here would cost 1500.
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02-01-2014, 04:04 PM | #11 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
Here is a good auto machine shop 30 miles from here in Schenectady, NY. Click below for their site and then click on the type of work to be performed and their prices will come up. These guys are good.
http://www.huntsmachine.com/labor.htm John |
02-01-2014, 05:12 PM | #12 | |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
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02-01-2014, 05:15 PM | #13 | |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
Quote:
a few weeks ago he took .020 off my 81-t heads for 50.00 |
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02-01-2014, 05:56 PM | #14 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
Next week I will get prices for the same services from my great friend . I never know what he charges me for each procedure I just pay him what he tells me . Its too cheap I know.
The bottle of his choice (Wild Turkey 101) I am sure helps !!!! |
02-01-2014, 06:46 PM | #15 | |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
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Cost is secondary to doing it right, nice if you got both!
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'52 F-1, EAB flathead |
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02-01-2014, 07:03 PM | #16 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
Prices sound pretty reasonable and the work sounds good, by someone who knows what they are doing!
Anyone have any experience with Jasper rebuilt engines? Good, bad? For modern day cars? |
02-01-2014, 07:14 PM | #17 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
I just dropped a couple of blocks to be bored and honed, the cost was the UK equivalent of $320 each. So your costs sound good to me.
Mart. |
02-01-2014, 07:15 PM | #18 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
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02-01-2014, 07:36 PM | #19 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
I just had my Merc worked on at a local shop------the prices are comparable to your prices. A lot depends on the location. And, pricing can vary on many things; for example, if a block is bored the "old fashioned way" by clamping the boring machine to an adjacent cylinder versus boring off the crank journals---there can be a major difference in price. Power honing versus the old manual honing is another area where the price is vastly different. Not many shops have "deck plates" for a flathead either.
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02-02-2014, 12:46 AM | #20 |
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Re: Machine shop costs and how they compare
Hey felix37,
Sounds like you have a good thing there ! I was wondering if your machinist 'balanced' the crank (charge$) after cutting is down ? Wow, $125. for 4.5 hrs for four studs ! If he got them out without damage to threads, that seems very reasonable. Only took me a week to get four out (successfully). Let's see ...even at his low price I'd have to charge about 1K for those four! |
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