Don Jordan Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 I got my Plymouth in 02. The engine was fried. It had been sitting in the desert for about 25 years. The engine wouldn't even turn over so rather than waste my time I just took it to a machine shop and had it done. New valves, pistons (30 over), all the bells and whistles. $1500. Seemed fair - and it runs like it must have when it was brand new. Moving on. I have a 47 Sedan. It's running rough. Compression about 65 pounds. Lots of smoke, lack of power - the usual. So I called up the machine shop and asked for a ball park figure on the same treatment. $2800. What's going on here? I'm going to take the head off first - I may get away with rings but I doubt it. This is a 60 year old virgin engine. $2800 - that's more than the car cost new. Quote
dezeldoc Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 (edited) What they forgot to tell you was they now gold plate them for ya! and they don't even charge ya for it! unless a piston is broke i would just ring it and do the valves, after all you ain't goin to be puttin a million miles a year on it. don't get carried away with measuring everything cause you might find taper in a cylinder, just do it! ~Oh yeh i always get reamed for this but i have done it more times than i can count with no problems or catastrophes~ Edited July 3, 2009 by dezeldoc Quote
Jims50chrysler Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 I agree with Norm. I didn't know you wrote a book Norm. Jim Quote
Don Jordan Posted July 3, 2009 Author Report Posted July 3, 2009 You're preaching to the choir... At least when they do it they do everything and it's done right. When I do it I usually drop a nut down the intake or put the rod caps on backwards. The deal is I've got to first set aside some money - little at a time. It's true: times are tough. thanks Quote
Frank Elder Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 I bet it's a good read, we flip a few pages everyday right here.....Don, my Father and I have refreshed a few of these engines in combines and the sludge can be a factor just like Norm said, but..they are pretty stout and can take a re ring and honing and tick like a timex. I don't know what your skill level is but why not tear this one down and experience the joy of do it yourself? Stop throwing money at it and have a blast, you know you can get all the answers you need right here. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 what's a virgin? Dennis urban legend Quote
Dennis Hemingway Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 what's a virgin? dennis I don't know, I have 2 kids and 6 & 1/3 Grandkids. Dennis:D;) Oh, you put that question mark in front of your name. Quote
dezeldoc Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Norm, i will put one of my "hack" jobs up against your rebuild any day of the week! I am not afraid to drive them from here to the east coast, you have to have a working knowlage of the motors to understand them and that a rebuilt is just as prone to problems as a "Hack" rebuild. the idea is when you do it you clean everything not just slap parts at it, you might have some taper or extra clearance but it won't affect it unless you are going to turn it to 6000 rpm in witch case it is going to granade anyway rebuilt or not. driving it like a normal person it will hold up no problem. some of the motors i have built this way have over 50-60 thousand miles on them and are still running fine. Quote
Bingster Posted July 3, 2009 Report Posted July 3, 2009 Is there any dvd or at least a book on rebuilding flat head six's for novices? Quote
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