So I have struggled trying to find a good, reliable, trustworthy machine shop in southern CA to help me with the machining, reassembly, and rebuilding of my 235. I have now been to 2 shops to where it seems to start out at one price when I tell them everything I want done over the phone but then when I drop the engine and all of the parts and pieces off they call me (or I call them) once they have it in their possession and in one case the "new" price was 3 times the original quote after the guy kept it at his shop for 3 weeks without doing anything on it. There is nothing out of the norm that has to happen to rebuild the engine - the usual machining. I don't know if they think that because it is a restoration that they can jack the price up but either way it is getting real old dropping it all off and picking it back up again. All parts have been cleaned/thermal cleaned and the there are no cracks in the head or block. I just need someone who will charge a fair price and a reasonable time frame. Any good suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
That sounds familiar! I just got my 235 back from a shop. It had a worn cam, so I had them "Go through it". Ouch....$2000, and I had my own cam. It basically got a total rebuild, but when he told me he could do my AMC 360 Jeep for $1800, I got a little peeved. He did say parts for 235's were a bit more, but still. Steve I'll feel a lot better if you tell me I got even a so/so deal. They are a good shop here in Tennessee, a lot of Junior Nascar folks take their engines to him. I see rebuilt 235's on Ebay for $2000-$2500. Flashlight
Barnes' Custom Engines did my 235 here in Bakersfield which is about an hour from you. I was refered to them by the inliners. Jim Barnes the owner passed away about 2 years ago during the build if my motor. His wife still runs the shop and the old timers still work there. He was a huge fan of the six, and had a career of racing them. When I took my motor in he had a 302 GMC motor on the stand, it was beautiful. I HIGHLY recommend them, and they won't jerk you around. If you'd like I can send you pics of my motor or a video of it running so you can see for yourself. Good luck!
Thanks everyone for your suggestions I really appreciate everyone helping out with some good options. It was sure getting frustrating having hit a few dead ends in a row trying to find a good, honest, reliable, and reputable machine shop. After looking into the options you guys gave me, I decided to go with Eddings in San Fernando due to their location and experience. They actually have a price list right on their website which gives the re-build costs for the engines so there is no jacking you around when you show up there. My cost ended up being around $1900 including all new parts and machining. The gave me a price immediately (which matched their online price list) and they happened to have 2 other 235's there at their shop that they are working on. They have also done many before this. I like the fact that this isn't their first 235 build. I still have to get the engine back rebuilt of course but all preliminary signs are good and I am hopeful for a good experience with them. They can also Dyno the engine for $550 more. What opinions are there out there about having the engine Dyno'ed? Worth it? Not worth it?
Well, I feel a lot better now about paying $1900 plus tax. Don't ya' just hate feeling like you got plucked after trusting a shop. My cam had badly worn #1 lobes. I wonder if there was asymetric lubrication. Does this include a cam & bearings in the price....probably not. Most rebuilt kits don't include this. Make sure he puts in the valve seats or whatever the part is called to handle "Unleaded" fuel or you'll wear valves prematurely. Flashlight
What's included for $1900 The $1900 actually includes supplying and installing a 261 cam, new pistons and rings, rod bearing, main bearing, cam bearing, timing gears, oil pump, gasket set, expansion plugs, intake valves, exhaust valves, and hardened seats. It also includes all necessary machining and assembly or course. I did have to add about $180 to that price for new springs and new lifters (instead of refacing) but I figured I may as well since it is this far torn apart. All parts are made in the USA! I am excited to have it finished that is for sure. You actually start to feel that you are moving forward instead of still tearing apart.
Machine Work O.K., I'm late here , sorry . It sounds like you've fond the place , knowing your way aound a 216/235/261 is *really* important because it's easy to screw up if you're only accustomed to rebuilding Japanes engines , they're different in design and construction . It is very important to only use NEW lifters (cam followers) and a NEW 261 cam ! . Dynoing is a time consuming process that's (IMO) unecessary because all it does is tell you how much power your particular engine produces and as it beds in & loosenes up , this power will increase anyway . For 99 + 44/100ths % of the old truckers , this $1,900 will yeild the biggest bang for your buck . After this the next thing is headwork , you can easily drop another $2,000 into the cylnder head if it's done right . The next thing is to balance everything separately , to zero grams , once again this will cost about the same as your entire rebuild is it's done correctly because it's so time consuming and takes time away from regular more profitable Machine Work jobs . Don't forget to get some good quality gray engine paint & have them use it , the best results are achieved when the engine is painted when it's assembled & bare on the stand , before dressing it with the various accessories . Keep us posted ! . There's a good Machine Shop in Pasadena called Hollywood Machine .
Nate - I need more info Nate, They are going to reassemble to head as well as rebuild the engine for that price. They are putting in new intake valves, exhaust valves, hardened seats, etc. I have also told them to do the new lifters along with the new 261 cam. I do have a question for you though: What do you mean when you say they should balance everything to zero grams? What exactly does this process entail. What is everything that needs to be balanced to zero grams? I have no idea even what to ask the machine shop to do or to know what their response should be be if I asked them if they balance everything I did buy the Chevy Gray high temp engine paint from Eastwood as well as black for the accessories. I am excited to have this part of it wrapped up. From there I am hopeful to move on to the transmission. @ccharr - The head was already tested at the original shop I took everything to and I thought I was going to use - no cracks and in really good shape which I was surprised at since the numbers on it make it appear to be possibly the original head.
So..Nate are you thinking that getting the Heads done for $2000 and the Block done for $1900 is an alright deal? If so, then I instantly feel better about my shop. He did the heads with all new parts, plus leveled it and the block. Everything was cleaned and stripped. By the time I figure up Core value and the worth of Generator/Power Steering pump, carburetor and manifolds and little things like temp sender, belts, filters...whew! What should I ask for this to a ready buyer? Anybody have some comps around them for a complete rebuilt motor? Flashlight
Engine Building The deal is : it always costs more than you can sell it for . I spent $2,000.00 + on a four cylinder weeny little BMC 1500 head , it's all matched and polished etc. along with new bronze valve guides blah , blah blah . ~ the car runs out SO much better , I had to increase the carby from a 28 MM to a 36Mm to handle the increased flow . I then spent more overhauling the bottom end . Balancing things take time , the crank , flywheel and clutch pressure plate must all be spun then balanced (mostly done by judicious drilling) then spun again until it's dead smooth , the factory specs are pretty loose . The pistons & rods must each be weighed separately then mixed & matched until they're as close to equal as possible , then you assemble them and weigh and file the heavier ones until each piston & rod assembly is equal , not one gram weight difference (thus "zero grams") . this again is very time & labor consuming and doesn't even do the full job of weighing and matching each rod's end to end balance....... So in all , I'd say that $3,900.00 for a complete rebuild including all the parts & labor you mentioned , is well worth it , balancing and head refining would be extra . Good luck selling it for $4,000.00, only if you meet a rich guy or someone who threw a rod through the side of the block .
You are absolutely correct!! Its what the market will bear. Since I mainly rebuilt this for myself to use as a spare for my two beasts I'm happy. BUT....I am showing this thread to SWMBO who is not pleased the old 235 is back under the steps of the Barn. But, sweetheart this is an investment its worth a lot. I better keep a close eye on the VISA card as Summer clothes go on Sale soon. Thanks Nate! Flashlight
