Hi - What would be the price range I should expect a mechanic charge to rebuild the engine on a cutlass supreme 4bbl 350? Looking for ball park figures so I know what to expect, thanks.

 

Define your definition of "rebuild".

My minimum requirements:

1. Magnaflux block, heads, crank

2. Bake, wash all re-use able parts

3. Valve job, resurface heads (reuse valves)

4. Polish crank

5. Bore/hone block

6. Re-size rods, new bolts

7. New: cam bearings, main/rod bearings, cam, lifters, pistons, rings, oil pump, water pump, freeze plugs, gaskets, fuel pump

8. Assemble

That is a $3,000 job - less if you reuse stuff, more if you replace stuff.

 

thanks, this is very helpful! I am new to the classic car family and not very mechanically savy so your breakdown helps me understand what is stored should I take this path. Thanks again.

 

I'd bet closer to $5-6k when its all said and done, maybe more if your farming the whole job out.

 

Unfortunately, this is like remodeling an old house. You don't know what you have to spend money on until you get it torn apart. Can you reuse the old pistons or do you need to bore the block and go oversize? Are you really going to re-install the old cam and lifters or buy new ones? Are you removing and reinstalling the motor yourself or simply handing the complete car to someone else? What "MIGHTASWELL" things will you be doing while the motor is out? You aren't likely to reuse old hoses, belts, mounts, etc. What about starter, alternator, PS pump? What about carb rebuild? Tune up parts? New filters? Plug wires? Radiator and water pump?

You see where this is going.

$3K probably covers a basic, bare-bones rebuild (stock cast pistons and rings, stock cam and lifters, timing chain, oil pump, bearings, machine work, freeze plugs, and assembly labor). R&R labor is obviously additional. Figure at least another $2K for the MIGHTASWELL stuff. Any performance upgrades are obviously on top of that.

Oh, most importantly, find a mechanic who can spell OLDSMOBILE and who understands that this is NOT a Chevy motor.

 

Thanks guys for the great insight,