Rebuilding an Engine?

[mark03]

What is the actually process when you "rebuild" an engine. I am very new to jeeps and have a chance to get a 76 Cj 5 with a engine that wont run. I assume it only needs to be rebuilt. How much money would rebuilding the engine cost? Its a 304. Would it be easier and cheaper just to find a 360 and drop it in? And when I say im new to jeeps i mean im extremely new to jeeps. This would be a major project. Thanks for all the help.
Mark

[budtoh3zo]

some can be easy some can be hard but if you rebuild it will be very rewardind when you hear it fire up. not sure on the cost sorry

[termin8ed]

Like budtoh3zo said, it all depends on whats the matter with the engine. If its been sitting for a while and its siezed, soaking the cylinders can get things loosened up. But if the cylinders and pistons are worn out, machining may be neccesary to bring everything back into a round smooth shape for new pistons, rings... bearings usually get replaced too. expect anywhere from $400-$1000 depending on how much needs to be done. Just a guess though.

Good luck.

[Mark Mann]

Adding to the last comments, a crate motor my even be feesable. Either way an off the cuff estimate; $1000 - $1200 ...

MM :v6:

[Mark Mann]

Let me come back and correct my spelling.. Feasable


MM :v6:

[Hippo393]

Hey Mark, you sound just like me a year ago! Didn't know what I was looking at. Had a buddy who knew something about engines, and he sorta helped me dismantle the engine and rebuild it. Would have been very simple to switch out engines, but looking back, I wouldn't have had it any other way. When you tear down and rebuild an engine, you "become one" with your Jeep. You'll appreciate it much, much more if you have time and patience. But you must have a partner in crime to help/oversee/advise (even if it's infrequently).

Rebuild: expect ~$1300 if you do it yourself. That includes all the stuff, new tools you'll need :D , machining various surfaces, new clutch, brake & hand cleaner, other misc stuff, band aids, and punching bag. :D

[paulscj5]

Mark,

I'm with these guys. About $1300 - $1500 depending on what all it needs. There is really less to rebuilding a stock engine than most people think. When tearing down get a lot of ziplock bags and a good marker, bag and label as you pull. This way you don't end up with extra parts at the end that you don't know where they go. Ask around about machine shops before you take your block and crank anywhere. Some guys are a lot better than others.

There is nothing quite like firing an engine you built yourself. If you are like me, you will be crazy nervous when the moment comes, but if you take your time and follow the proper procedures, she will fire and run and give something to be proud of.

Good Luck

Paul

[DrewDog_CJ3A]

I am in the process of rebuilding a 231 right now. I got the engine for free from a friend. It' s been sitting in the weeds outdoors for about 4 years now. I got it to my shop and it is now completely torn down. Everything is labeled as mentioned before (including the rotation / direction of parts!!!! this is a must ;) ).

Yea.. Looking at my shop right now seeing all the engine parts everywhere make's me think "what the hell did I get myself into now :shock: ?!?".

Just take it step by step.. buy an engine manual for tolerances / torque settings and just put it back together piece by piece.

I'm figuring about $900.00 for my engine. (Rings, cam, lifters, 1 piston, carb rebuild, gasket set and external components.)

And for god's sakes.. don't give up. You will be kicking your self later!! (and it's a pain to throw that stuff in the garbage as well ;) )

[Warloch]

Just priced out a good rebuild on a 225 - $1200 for machining and all the parts for me to put it back together again (this one needed a full run) from a good recommended shop...

[Steffy]

All in all I will probly have about $1200 in my F-head when its done. About 500 for parts, 450 or so for machine work, and then another couple hundred for misc. odds and ends. This is a full rebuild, with nothing left to chance. I got the crank ground, new cam, new valves, valve guides, springs, seats, new fuel pump, and new timing gears. Not to mention rod and main bearings. Anyhow, you should definately go over 1500 or so on a rebuild, whereas a new crate engine is gonna cost at least 2500 bucks (???) I would rebuild. Youll love your jeep that much more when its done. :D
---Steffy

[minengr]

I know this thread is really old, but I thought this link may be of some help to someone doing a search on the subject.

http://www.rpmmachine.com/engine-rebuild-kits-amc.shtml

[66cj5]

i have about $1100 in my :v6:. did 80% of the work myself. take your time and lots of pics for reference when putting back together. hopefully yours won't take the 3 months to do that mine did.

[maxx]

I agree with the consensus. There are also additional benefits to building it yourself. You will know the quality of the parts that were used, you will gain a ton of knowledge about the engine, which will save more money when it comes to diagnosing a possible future problem, because you will know exactly what it is.
And yes, your blood pressure will spike when you first fire it up. Most guys stare at the temp gauge, and hold their breath untill the thermostat opens and the the temp needle starts to drop.
Take your time, dont rush, take a break for a day or more if you get wound up, and remember: clean, clean, clean.
There is lots of info on the web and at the local library. Good luck, go fer it.

[w3srl]

$200 per cylinder is a decent rule of thumb, if you do the disassembly/reassembly yourself. ;)

[jeepdaddy2000]

While all the replys are spot on....do your self a favor and make sure it needs a rebuild before you tear it down. American V8's are a pretty durable hunks of iron, and many times a little extra effort troubleshooting will net you a running engine.

[67cj5]

The price depends on what is wrong initially. I have built somewhere in the ball perk on 50 motors. I like chevys due to ease of finding interchangable parts. barring nothing major wrong, I can rebuild one including boring the cylinders for approx 600.00. An AMC 304 is a little more expensive around 900.00, Check with your local engine reman folks to see what a short block costs and just drop your heads off at the machine shop. Rebuilding your engine as a novice is possible, but approx 50-75 percent of the time they still end up at my shop with low oil pressure, or other problems that could have easily been avoided by having help from a professional in the beginning. Not trying to discourage you , check with the folks you know and see who if anyone has ever rebuilt an engine before and what kind of results they got before asking for their help. Alot of shady shade tree mechanics around. If you have time and desire, Go at it yourself, but if it is your first engine and you are not mechanically inclined dont expect professional results from your first engine. Good luck and if you decide to rebuild it yourself this is a good place to get alot of info from