[4332]

Does anybody have recomendations as far as where i should order a rebuild kit from for a 258, or what brands/names i should be looking for in the kits? i dont want anything cheap, but nothing over $800.

 

[OlllllllOCJ]

OK, you want to rebuild a motor... do you have all the tools and measuring equipment required. You will surely have to pay for some machining.....

I would call around and see if you have a rebuilder in your area that will take your long block and rebuild it... likely be around $1000. You don't have to buy a kit at all, but then there are all of those other parts that you need to buy anyway. New belts, hoses, plugs, wires, cap/rotor, motor mounts, clutch parts.... It's never ending until you are done and you didn't spend all of your time on the motor it's self but got to concentrate on the OTHER things that need attention at the same time

I had a 304 done for $1,300 and it really was a bargin in some aspects, an SBC would have been about $900... that's life you just can't win.

Just a thought!

 

[4332]

yeah thanks, but i want to rebuild the engine myself.
1. so i can learn more about my vehicle
2. so i can save money
3. so i can have pride in my entire machine when it is done
4. so future repairs, which are inevitable can be easier for me to fix due to my familiarity withe the engine.
5. because time is a non-issue, and i have a perfectly functional car right now.

 

[MarineOpLaw]

Kevin,

I was told to work/discuss rebuild kit w/ whoever is doing your machine work. They are in the best position to know what you need and the specs of the particular item you need - over/under sized parts (pistons, rings, bearings, etc.). They will also know the quality parts from the junk stuff. I am leery of the stuff on eBay... I just do not have the knowledge base to make an informed choice.

I'd say consult w/ your chosen machinist.

Let me know what you come up with... I'm in sorta the same predicament as you.

 

[OlllllllOCJ]

In reply to:

yeah thanks, but i want to rebuild the engine myself.

[/ QUOTE ]

I can respect that and think that it's great.

I'm old so I don't have much time left.

Also as I thought about it there was no way that I could finish things up and complete that project in the time frame I wanted (Son's 84 CJ-7 w/304).

As for the money it almost seemed less expensive if I factored in just one or two screw ups on my part. I have a 360 that I will do sometime in the future and will likely just strip it to the long block and drop it off with the rebuilder. Also on the plus side I get a warranty.

As for the learning experience.... that's priceless.

Go for it!

Good Luck

 

[4332]

I am dropping the crank, block, and head off at two shops tommorow, i am going to talk to the guys at the shop where i am getting the block machined, and head redone and see what they have to say/recomend about different kits/manufacturers. I'll let you know what i find out. -Kevin

i am ready for this!

 

[webjeep]

i recently had my "new" 360 rebuilt, it was out of a 78 waggy and had 104k on it and was sitting next to the guys shed for a few months. i started tearing it apart with the intention of honing, re-ringing, new seals and gaskets and calling it a day. i wound up tearing the whole thing apart and sending it over the the engine guru. he bored it and did quite a bit of other work including completely re-doing the heads with a little performance work. he put all of the parts in a box and sent them back to me to put back to gether. it was nice because he did a bunch of stuff that i could not even begin to think about doing and i still had the chance to tear it all down and put it all back together. his work, including the rebuild kit (which included everything), and even new valves, springs, retainers, rockers and bridges still set me back under $1100. so bascially i got a better than brand new engine for under $1200. if i had to do it pver again i would take the same route. it gives you the opportunity and the bragging rights of building the engine, but leaves the hard stuff to the experts.

-web