To Build or to crate.

[shorty]

Hey dudes.
So I'm in the early stages of my 351 project and im stuck deciding if i should just go pull a motor and have the machine shop clean it, test it, and bore it vs buying a crate short block. I'm not worried about putting it together on my own as my dad knows fords pretty darn well.
I'm stuck on whats going to be the cheaper method.
Its been a long long time since i have dealt with a machine shop, so i don't know what the average price is to have a motor cleaned up.
For a crate 351 short block with forged pistons im looking around 2k-2.5k. surely i could put one together with forged pistons for half that.

 

[Mustanger]

I'm curious too...

 

[Orange 94]

2k=2.5k for crate? Well I guess I've been looking at new 5.0 swap lately... which starts at 6k.


The only thing about rebuild any engine is you'll do this a lot:

"While I have it apart I should do/upgrade this too!"

And there goes the money you save, which may or may not be a bad thing.

 

[RichV]

Buy + install = running = win.

I'd buy one rather than building in a heartbeat. Unless you need/desire something special or custom.

 

[shorty]

2k=2.5k for crate? Well I guess I've been looking at new 5.0 swap lately... which starts at 6k.


The only thing about rebuild any engine is you'll do this a lot:

"While I have it apart I should do/upgrade this too!"

And there goes the money you save, which may or may not be a bad thing.

short block, not a long block
that price gets me a remain roller block with forged pistons. stock crank and reworked rods. i can find one for about 1500 with hypertuetic pistons
No need to upgrade 351 rods or crank being they are very well capable of holding what i want.
i can pull a short block for 100-200 bucks at the local junk yard. forged pistons run about 350-400. not sure what the price of reworked rods, crank checked and block checked and bored. its nothing to throw one together just check all you're clearances and torq specs.
I'm just curios is anyone here has dealt with machine shop prices here lately.
also looking at another 200 in rings, bearings and rod bolts

I'm confident in finding a decent block to use from the junk yard.

the budget for my swap is 4k or less ( i might pull 5k if its absolutely needed ), as with a big family you gotta go buy the queen of the castles say so lol

my 1st part of this swap is to just get the motor in and running healthy.

So yea im not sure which way to swing

 

[99GreenStang]

Get your block Vatted ( Chemically Cleaned) is about 40 dollars , Crank turned (Polished and Ground ) 80 dollars and Recondition Rods are 40 dollars for all 8 . Boring is about 25 dollars here for all 8 Cylinders . Then you just need to get your rods and pistons pressed and thats 40 more . so total your at 225.00 . Then all you need is a quality rebuild kit depending on how much forged or performance you go price varys and then your heads , pushrods , intake , carb , headers , oil pan , all assembly bolts , waterpump , power steering pump , alternator , brackets and belts . Its pridefull and fun knowing you built your own but I have learnt its cheaper to just buy it already done and its alot ALOT less stressfull depending on what your attempting lol . Stay thirsty my friends

 

[shorty]

going by the above prices. im looking at about 1100 for my short block, which is a hell of a lot cheaper then buying one lol

 

[99GreenStang]

Are you considering the cost factor of you buying new heads , if your going all forged price of new crank and rods and pistons ? word of advice add up what you think is right and add about 600 dollars to that , then you wont be in for any disappointment or surprises .

 

[white95]

Cheap, Fast, Reliable – Pick Two

 

[Dalamar]

having gone down the road, Crate is so much easier - less hands in the pie, less variables....

 

[DropTopPony]

I wish I just ordered a short block would have been easier but I wanted a teksid and this and that. And dont forget ti include hardware into the cost. Can't do a nice forged short block and skip the arp crap. See there goes the savings lol.

 

[rz5.0]

Building it your self will be cheaper. If your confident you guys can put it together. Do it.

 

[99GreenStang]

Building an engine is not hard at all .. Hell its not even a challenge its all about having the parts you need and want in hand when you need them . I have never found anything i couldnt think of a way to build or make it work its just having the equipment or parts its the same scenario with an engine . Buying a crate engine might not be cheaper it may be cheaper depends where you go and how much performance parts you are going to have installed , If you arent confident in building it then I would get a crate for sure if you think you can do it jump in it and come out swinging . If i had the cash I would go with the one thats delivered ready to the door and has a warranty lol , But then it is fun knowing you built your own when your cruising down the road .

 

[MustangChris]

is there a warranty involved?

 

[Steve-Oh]

is there a warranty involved?

If you don't plan on putting the crate in and have it running immediately after you buy it then this is irrelevant. My warranty ran out before I even got it in.


For the record, I went with a crate motor.


Sent from Space

 

[MustangChris]

If you don't plan on putting the crate in and have it running immediately after you buy it then this is irrelevant. My warranty ran out before I even got it in.


For the record, I went with a crate motor.


Sent from Space

interesting.... ... mine had a 90 day warantee.... 3 years later it started up and blew up. LOL.

 

[99GreenStang]

Summit Racing I have seen them offer 90 thousand mile warrantys before on GM Performance Crate Engines not sure if they are still doing that and really not sure how they could tell the mileage was true . just a thought

 

[Paul]

Coming from one of the very few guys on this forum that has windsor-swapped their cars, don't bother doing it if you've only got a couple grand to spend. You're not going to make the power you think you will, and it will be a big headache with little payoff.

Just build your 302. In fact, just bolt a blower on it and be happy.

Paul.

 

[white95]

Coming from one of the very few guys on this forum that has windsor-swapped their cars, don't bother doing it if you've only got a couple grand to spend. You're not going to make the power you think you will, and it will be a big headache with little payoff.

Just build your 302. In fact, just bolt a blower on it and be happy.

Paul.

True story..

 

[Twista]

Is that you in your avatar....
if so not what i pictured.

sorry i cant help the topic..