A lot of attention has been paid to motor builds but not a lot talk about the cost. If someone has an original 396,66-72, what could he expect it to cost to build . I think the average person would want a nicely done job but with consideration to budget.

A lot of attention has been paid to motor builds but not a lot talk about the cost. If someone has an original 396,66-72, what could he expect it to cost to build . I think the average person would want a nicely done job but with consideration to budget.


It depends on how much the engine needs to be rebuilt and to what performance level. You could spend as little as 800.00 for a freshen up or as much as 5,000.00 for a total build including heads. If you more specific with what your starting with and what your after there are many people on here that can tell you what they had to spend for a similar build.

Steve

Start with a block and stock heads and assume it needs it all. A complete trip thru the machine shop. Build it around a car that rarely will see rpm's above 4500-5000 with emphasis on drivability,vaccuum,idle,fuel economy and ability to run on pump gas. Will be run with stock manifolds.

A friend of mine is looking to put a more correct build in his 66SS. 4 speed and 3:31 He is pretty tight and thinks he can get it done cheaper than the one I just bought.

Cheap and quality just doesnt go hand and hand.
I spent,,,, oh never mind.
For the street I would say $5000. as mentioned assume all need to be replaced. All the accessories add up too.
You get what you pay for.

I had my '66 396 completely gone through. Bored, honed, new bearings through out, new forged pistons, new cam, oil pump, lifters, valve guides, a hand full of new replacement valves, new springs, and some light bowl work. Fully assembled and out the door for 2500 - ish, by a very well respected builder. That was 7 or so years ago.

Dan

We just built a SB 406 from the "ground up". Costs involved are really pretty much the same as an equivalent sized BB for the most part. Fully machined block, reworked heads, new balanced rotating assembly, hyd cam, new intake & carb.
Got $3400 in it.

I have always done this:
machine shop preps/bores the block,cut/polish the crank,etc. and assembles the lower end.
Head work has always been the basics and I never go with hardened seats.Three angle valve job is about as fancy as I will pay for.
After I get the shortblock and heads back,I install the cam,lifters,etc. and bolt on the heads.
Usually costs about $2000-2500 w/parts+labor.
I pick my own pistons,cam,etc.

not a 396, but I'm supposed to pick up my 454 block from the machine shop today.

This shop (Russ Miley Racing Engines) does mostly race/hi-po/musclecar engines. No imports or junk like that. They do very good, race quality work.

Block needed cleaning, boring, decking, light touch-up align hone, all threads chased, deburring, and a CK10 hone job. Should run around $500, maybe a tad under or over, but the block will be 100% ready to assemble with brass plugs and cam bearings.

I expect to spend another $200 for balance work, and ~$250 for valve guide work + milling on the heads. I'll do the porting and valve job myself.

Just say for the sake of argument let's say that this was a mild street build, something like a cruiser. Not a hard core street/strip, just a good street build.
Add $75 for crank grinding, and $120 for reconning connecting rods. Another $65 for hanging the pistons on the rods.

A overhaul kit from Northern (felpro gaskets, clevite bearings, crane 204/214 performance cam and lifters, double roller timing set, new valve springs, moly rings, brass freeze plugs, pistons, etc.) is $529, plus shipping.
Figure on re-using stock valves after a regrind, and I'll add $150 for a street 3 angle valve job on this theoretical build. Add another $50 for cleaning sheetmetal (oil pan, timing cover, rockers, etc.). I'd buy a new set of head bolts, too ($69 for ARP from Northern).

Totals come to:$1410 labor (machine work)
$589 Overhaul kit/parts
$100 New plugs, gasket sealer, misc. items
Total:$2108

This assumes you put the engine together. Most shops charge ~$450-500 to assemble such an engine. This also does not include an aftermarket intake or valve covers, and assumes you'll reuse your balancer and flexplate/flywheel, which may or may not be the case.

Labor rates will be different among various shops in different regions of the country, those are typical in this area (south mississippi) among reputable shops.

Hope this helps!

I would like to add the machine shop charges me $250 to assemble the lower end.
(price hasn't gone up in 7 years)

My students rebuilt a 454 and a 396 last year. Both had a similiar base cost. I had the machine work to the block which included cleaning of the block boring and honing, installation of cam bearings, turn the crank, rewashing the block, and pressed the piston pins into the piston/connecting rod. They also rebuilt the heads with new valves, new valve guids, new springs, new keepers, and new retainers and surfacing the mating surface. My students installed all oil galley plugs, freeze plugs, installed the performance cam, main bearings, crank, connecting rod bearings, connecting rods, piston rings, pistons, lifters, push rods, timing chain set, heads, harmonic ballancer, oil pump, all sheet metal, all gaskets and seals. Basically they reassembled the engine. We also made the 454 a drop in motor with the accessories already installed, spark plugs, plug wires, plug wire looms, thermostat, intake, HEI distributor (new cap and rotor), carb air cleaner, fly wheel, starter, on it. The basic Engine 454 cost was $1676.61. This was for the machine work and new parts, a cylinder sleeve installed, and some crack repair done. The company is a machine shop out of modesto that has been open for well over 40 years. There were insidental costs such as paint and gasket sealer. The complete 454 motor with all mentioned parts.... wait for it.....


$2,200.

Great info. Here is mine

The shop supplied a correct 3965440 JC motor and a matching set of 3931063 Heads.
Their work consisted of Thermal cleaning @1600*, shot blasting, pressure test,align hone and bore,heads resurfaced, turned and polished crank, resized and reconditioned rods, and ran an assembly test cycle.

Cam of choice......KB Hyper pistons.......and all other parts in motor and heads new.
Blasted intake and water pump and installed to be painted with same paint as motor.
Basically anything mentioned above. Also furnished balancer and oil filter adapter.

Motor and heads,all parts and labor,8.25% tax and 160 mile delivery. $2830.

Although not as exotic as some would do, but i feel good value within the confines of my budget and driving habits. Based on what you have said I do not think my friend can buy a correct 66 396 and heads built as mine is at a better value. They may not want to do it again after what I put them thru either.

Thanx guys. These are things that many of you take for granted but represent real issues for some of us. Continue on as it is educational.

John,thats a pretty good deal IMHO especially with the shop supplying a core and delivering the motor..nice!! :thumbsup:

If I am going spend 5K+ on motor it would have to be a 540
If you are using factory castings,flat tappet cam,factory crank and rods on a BBC 3K is about right IMHO and experience

Heres my cost spreadsheet: It looks way better in excel, not sure why the quick reply has to mess up the spacing.

Purchased for 468 CI Engine
KB 454 60 over -25.5/.250" Hol dome pistons KB207 Doug 206-351-6385 $175.00
GM 454 "truck" thumb connecting rods NA Doug 206-351-6385 ^included
GM 454 4 bolt block(3999289) Mark IV NA Jake 253-273-7607 $500.00
454 forged 5140 steel crank(3963521) NA Jake 253-273-7607 ^included
GM heads oval 120cc 225/116cc ports 346236 Jake 253-273-7607 ^included
Hooker super competition headers 2" to 3.5" 2217HKR 206-303-8919 $150.00
GM heads oval #148 112cc 2.19/1.88 Ported 3933148 Terry $500.00
Moroso 3/8" Chrome Moly Pushrods NA Terry ^included
ARP Rocker Arms Studs NA Terry ^included
Comp Cams Magnum 1.72 roller rocker arms 1411-16 EBAY $140.00
Billet Polished Valve Covers NA EBAY $80.75
BBC Power Steering Brackets NA EBAY $41.00
Holley 850DP W/ Mecanical Secondaries 4781 EBAY $253.49
454 Harmonic Balancer SFI approved NA EBAY $90.00
ARP cylinder Head Bolts ARP-135-3701 Summit Racing $67.95
ARP Main Bolts ARP-135-5201 Summit Racing $51.95
ARP Connecting Rod Bolts ARP-135-6001 Summit Racing $57.95
Comp Cams Timing Chain and Gear Set CCA-2110 Summit Racing $41.95
Comp Cams Cam Bolts CCA-4605 Summit Racing $5.39
2 Energy Suspension Poly Motor Mounts ENS-3-1117G Summit Racing $71.90
Felpro Gasket Set FEL-KS2618 Summit Racing $58.95
Felprop Header Gaskets FPP-1411 Summit Racing $17.95
Fram PCV Valve FRM-FV184 Summit Racing $1.95
Hooker Collector Gaskets HOK-10873HKR Summit Racing $4.69
Lunati Cam and Lifter Set .554/.572 Lift 276/284 LUN-60204LK Summit Racing $189.95
Milodon Oil Pickup MIL-18610 Summit Racing $16.95
Milodon HV Oil Pump MIL-18760 Summit Racing $71.95
Milodon Oil Pan MIL-30710 Summit Racing $109.95
Moroso Universal Dipstick MOR-25970 Summit Racing $17.95
Moroso Extra Long Dowel Pins MOR-37935 Summit Racing $10.95
Moroso Roller Pilot Bearing MOR-41100 Summit Racing $15.95
Aluminum Wire Loom Separators RNM-1102K Summit Racing $38.39
Oil Filter Adapter SES-3-60-08-900 Summit Racing $19.00
Sealed Power Plasma Moly Piston Rings SLP-R9904060 Summit Racing $109.95
Summit 4" tall 14" Air Filter SUM-239441 Summit Racing $45.95
Chrome Crankshaft Pulley SUM-2329724 Summit Racing $29.95
1" Aluminum Carburetor Spacer SUM-F1400 Summit Racing $13.95
Valve Cover Breather Filter Style SUM-G3417 Summit Racing $10.95
Valve Cover Grommet SUM-G3410 Summit Racing $1.50
Valve Cover Grommet PCV SUM-G3411 Summit Racing $1.50
Taylor Spark Plug Wires 135 degree boots TAY-74004 Summit Racing $46.69
Weiand Stealth Dual Plane Intake Manifold WND-8019 Summit Racing $199.95
NAPA Water Pump TFW 44027 NAPA $53.87
NAPA Fuel Pump TFP 2M6628 NAPA $20.77
Moroso Baffled Breather Grommets MOR-68995 Summit Racing $4.95
180 Thermostat SUM-360180 Summit Racing $7.95
O-ring Water Neck SUM-G3801 Summit Racing $7.95
Harmonic Balancer Bolt SUM-G1678 Summit Racing $7.95
Misc. grade 8 Engine Hardware NA ACE Hardware $125.00
Felpro .053 Thick Head Gaskets FPP-1071-1 Summit Racing $210.78
Lakewood .014" Offset Dowel Pins LAK-15914 Summit Racing $46.95
Summit Timing Cover Bolts SUM-G1574HS Summit Racing $2.69
Timing Cover GM Darryl Berg Store free
Alternator Bracket GM Darryl Berg Store $30.00
AirCleaner Drop Base NA Darryl Berg Store $10.00
WaterPump + Alternator Belt NA NAPA $14.99
Power Steering Belt NA NAPA $13.99
Hi-Tech Valve Springs NA Darryl Berg Store $90.00
Rotating Assembly Balanced NA NA $175.00
Fuel Pump Push Rod NA Darryl Berg Store free
Machining of Heads/Block/Rods/Pistons NA Darryl Berg Store free
Steel Core Valve Cover Gaskets NA Darryl Berg Store $13.99
Rod, Main, Cam Bearings NA Darryl Berg Store $69.00
Brass Freeze Plug Kit NA Darryl Berg Store $12.99
Erson Moly Retainers NA Darryl Berg Store $35.00
Oil Pump Drive NA Darryl Berg Store $11.99
Heat Treated Valve Spring Keepers NA Darryl Berg Store free
2 Pushrods to Replace Bent Ones NA Darryl Berg Store free
2 Valves to Replace Bent Ones NA Darryl Berg Store $8.00
Throttle Springs PA 8115289 Schucks $6.99
Fram Clear Gas Filter PA 6142053 Schucks $4.99
45 degree Heater Fitting FS84505 NW Auto Parts $15.00
Straight Heater Fitting FS84732 NW Auto Parts $4.72
90 Degree Formed Heater Hose DAY80400 NW Auto Parts $8.95

Total Items Purchased for Engine $4,276.76

here's mine so far. right at 3k only thing needed is some engine oil

http://www.metroplexdeals.com/71NOVA/468project.html

Here's a vague estimate. Remember this was when our CDN $$ sucked against the US $$. So you could probably build cheaper.

1974 Impala with 2 Bolt 454 and TH400 $500

40 thou overbore
KB 12cc domes
stock crank, rods
781 heads, shaved a couple thou
moly rings and Clevite 77 bearings
hot tank and magnaflux
frost plugs and cam bearings
Melling oil pump
all machine work
balance everything $2300

Voodoo 60204 cam and lifters $200
Crane valve springs, 3/8 pushrods $180
Comp guide plates $70
GM water pump $40
All gaskets $120
FlowTech 1 7/8 headers $200
Edelbrock Performer Intake...used $125 Thanks TC member 85shorty496 Brad
Holley 750 Vac Sec...used $100
rebuild kit for above carb $20
Chrome valve covers, air cleaner $80
150 HP nitrous setup...2nd hand but unused $200
cap, points and rotor $25
belt, hoses and wire $50
paint $30
oil, filter, anti-freeze $40
Holley Blue Elec Pump,1/2line, filter setup $300
ARP main, rod, head, intake, header bolts $250
miscellaneous $100
------
Rough Total $4910 :rolleyes:

I'm probably missing a few things here and there, and I'm sure some of my numbers are light, and some heavy. Let's just call it $5000.

Here's what we started with.... :sad:

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w167/Out66Cast/engineincaprice.jpg

What we finished with...for now :)

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w167/Out66Cast/janpics006.jpg

You can hear and see what $5 grand got me in my sig...wanna hear it.

Seun Thanx for so much detail. As your shop is in the same area as the one that did mine it allows my friend to compare apples to apples. a couple of questions:

1. Did you do the assembly yourself?
2. What did you do about the heads and their parts?

Thanx

Seun Thanx for so much detail. As your shop is in the same area as the one that did mine it allows my friend to compare apples to apples. a couple of questions:

1. Did you do the assembly yourself?
2. What did you do about the heads and their parts?

Thanx

thanks for the props man!

in answer to 1, yes we are doing the assembly ourselves. but, for reference, lonestar performance quoted me $1100 to assemble the motor, take out the old motor, and install the new motor in the car, which is a good price for so much work I guess.

make sure to measure everything though. the bearings only had 0.001 clearance so we have to take the the crank back to City motor to have it reground.

in answer to 2, we are leaving the heads as is. the pressure check showed no problems, and we pulled the valves to check condition. they have some use on them, but they are straight and have an angle grind so we will keep it as is. if I had the money I would get the $1600 edelbrock heads which should give about 70hp more.

we also checked the springs and they are good for .600 lift. they also are heavy duty double springs so we should be safe.

there is still the worry at the back of my mind that we will bolt it all together and it will explode but I doubt it. the guy helping me build it is quite thorough.

Considering that in my price was about $600 more value for a correct 396 and matching heads, all new parts on the heads and 3 angle valve job, and total assembly I am satisfied I got a good deal. Deciding how to build a motor sure requires a good deal of thought.

Keep this in mind for a future build or your friends. I sold a 454 pull out motor such as yours after I decided to keep everything a little more correct. I had contacted Ken Thomas, Mt. Pleasant, to build it and he quoted $2000 to build it turn key. That was parts, labor, and all machine work. Ken's shop specializes in Alcohol Dragster motors and won the last 5 races in the Alcohol Dragster League that runs in Texas and the Gulf Coast. He can build a motor. I went with the other people because their motor and heads were just to close to my car.

Like you the future will give the results.

Thanx

If you want the ULTIMATE money saver information (in my opinion) listen up, do it right the FIRST time!!! I wanted aluminum heads, aluminum valve covers and other dress up items, good quality motor mounts etc... Well, after I drove the car with the motor in it, A freeze plug in the back of the block started leaking so I pulled the motor and now I'm doing what I should have done the first time! So I ended up doing it twice. Also, you get what you pay for when it comes to individual parts also!

Considering that in my price was about $600 more value for a correct 396 and matching heads, all new parts on the heads and 3 angle valve job, and total assembly I am satisfied I got a good deal. Deciding how to build a motor sure requires a good deal of thought.

Keep this in mind for a future build or your friends. I sold a 454 pull out motor such as yours after I decided to keep everything a little more correct. I had contacted Ken Thomas, Mt. Pleasant, to build it and he quoted $2000 to build it turn key. That was parts, labor, and all machine work. Ken's shop specializes in Alcohol Dragster motors and won the last 5 races in the Alcohol Dragster League that runs in Texas and the Gulf Coast. He can build a motor. I went with the other people because their motor and heads were just to close to my car.

Like you the future will give the results.

Thanx

thats quite a price. my local performance shop wanted 5k for the longblock. but it would have made about 600hp

If you want the ULTIMATE money saver information (in my opinion) listen up, do it right the FIRST time!!! I wanted aluminum heads, aluminum valve covers and other dress up items, good quality motor mounts etc... Well, after I drove the car with the motor in it, A freeze plug in the back of the block started leaking so I pulled the motor and now I'm doing what I should have done the first time! So I ended up doing it twice. Also, you get what you pay for when it comes to individual parts also!


are you saying your freeze plug started leaking because you didnt use aluminum heads and valve covers?