Q&A for How to Rebuild an Engine

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Question

How much would it cost to rebuild a car engine?

Evan Ernst
Classic Automotive Enthusiast
Evan Ernst is a Classic Automotive Enthusiast based in Spokane, Washington. Evan and his twin brother Nick are the founders of ClassicNation, an automotive enthusiast website. With over 36,000 YouTube subscribers, Evan and Nick share videos covering one of their many classic car restoration projects, an interesting 'featured ride', or helpful how-to repair videos.

Evan Ernst

Classic Automotive Enthusiast

Expert Answer

Rebuilding a car engine costs vary depending on factors like the engine type and complexity. For instance, refurbishing a small block Ford engine (e.g., 289 or 302) for a classic car would cost around $1,000 in parts and approximately 10 to 15 hours of labor if done independently. If opting for professional services at an average shop rate of $100 per hour, a basic engine rebuild might cost between $2,000 and $2,300. However, more intricate or specialized engines, such as supercharged or race-ready ones, can escalate the cost significantly, reaching upwards of $5,000 to $7,000 for a comprehensive rebuild.

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Question

If one cylinder needs to be bored to a larger size piston, do all the other cylinders/piston need to match that bore?

DangerBoyce

Community Answer

Yes. Boring a cylinder changes its volume and other factors like compression ratio. If all cylinders are not very close to the same size, the engine will run unevenly. At best, this will mean it sounds odd and behaves a little strangely, at worst it can cause the engine to destroy itself.

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Question

How long will it take for me to do this?

Community Answer

It will probably take you anywhere from two weeks to a month, depending on your level of experience. It's not a quick project!

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Question

How can I tell what size motor I have?

Community Answer

By looking at the tag, which usually is located in your engine bay. It should list the CC rating.

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Question

Can I eat a chicken sandwich while doing this?

Peyton Schmiege

Community Answer

Of course, but rebuilding an engine is going to take much longer than one lunch break. It will take a few days to complete.

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