Realistically what would it cost to build a 354? I can get my hands on a complete motor. I'm not sure if it will turn over or not. Its been sitting on a concrete floored shed for a long time. I'm branching out from the muscle car scene so I've been planning my first hot rod build. I'm 19 so I'm on somewhat of a budget. Thanks, Tumbler
It can vary widely depending on what sort of parts you use and what sort of machine processes you do. I did a very economy rebuild on the 354 that is in my coupe some 7 years ago and had $2650 in it, running. That was using a reasonably priced set of used forged 392 pistons. I'm not sure what the total is going to be on the 354 I'm building for the digger now. Not going to be cheap but I'm not taking shortcuts on this one.
That sounds like something the old master on Kung Fu theater would have responded if he were asked the same question. I've read it four times and still don't know what it means. A couple of years ago I was speculating on a simillar build. I ordered the Early Hemi catalog from PAW. Looking through the prices pretty much made me realize it was out of my budget. My only hopes for a hemi now would be to buy a beat-up running Desoto- snag the motor and sell off the rest. Jay
My 354, with the blower, ran about $4500.00. But I didn't open too many catalogs doing it. I spent my money on good parts and machine work not on all that fancy billet crap that appears in every book. Venolia forged pistons, Total Seal rings, Clay Smith cam, King bearings, stock oil pump, stainless valves USA made (already had hard seats)... bored (five sleeves), align bored, decked, heads surfaced and cc'd, stock front cover and water pump, Cragar blower manifold, $20.00 junkyard Jimmy blower rebuilt by Dean Blowers for under $400.00, new Ebay blower drive from Dyer's ($290.00 IIRC)... You should be able to completely redo a naturally aspirated 354 for way under $3K... It can be done good and cheap but not if you're impatient and use your plastic at every available moment.
Depends a lot on what you're goals are hp wise and how quick you want it done. If you're buying all new stuff its going to be pricey, as I'm quickly finding for the 331 I picked up. A rebuild kit alone for one of the early hemi's is around $1500 from most sources, plus all the machining. But as krooser pointed out if you're not in a hurry and you're swap meet savvy you can get it done cheaper. Still, I'd expect to spend around $3k if not more.
I've got a 354 on the floor that some day will be in the '30 Roadster. I've read that HEMI rebuilds are a bit costly, what are the things on a HEMI that cost more than other rebuilds?
Does it truely matter...It's an early Hemi....You will have eye appeal....and at least you won't be another cookie cutter SBC powered car.
The bearings and pistons,I wanted king bearins when I built my 354 but all I could find were about $500 for all, the pistons are more for a 354 than a 392, plus I had the rods rebuilt with new bushings and ARP bolts, my friend worked in a machine shop and gave me a break on the work, but when I added up the costs , counting the purchase of the motor was about $4500. but I got a couple of dress-up items and had to buy a rearsump pan, but I did not want to half-ass it, Itis the motor I always wanted.
Tumbler Try going to kanterauto.com . They have complete rebuild kits for alot of early motors . With a price sheet on there web site. That will give you a basic price list not counting any machine work . If you like what they offer request a catalog , there free.
I found a guy locally who did my machine work for about $40 an hour. Basically he bored/honed and sized each cylinder to the forged pistons I bought. Then he balanced the whole thing with the balancer and flex-plate attached. A simple valve job, and I was out of there for about $1k. The thing about Hemi's, is the parts are all priced at either $200 or $500. Oh, you need pushrods? $200. Oh, you need an oil pump? - $200, etc, etc. That crap is basically free on a small block chevy
To anyone that is interested I looked up the rebuild kit on Kanter Auto and it looks like $1300 for the basic package. http://www.kanter.com///productdeta...tm=089011B&MDv=1&MDpt=0&MSb=0&Cat=31&Prc=1655 I can't make up my mind which is annoying me because I'd like to have the project completely planned out before I start picking up any parts. I basically have everything lined up but haven't pulled the trigger yet.
I have about $1500 in a Hot Heads kit and another $1500 in shop work for my Red Ram. That doesn't count manifolds, carburetors, and ignition. If you feel bucks-up and buy three of those new 97's that's another grand. Headers can be $500, and so on and on. I got the intake in an even swap and the carbs (94s on mine) were swap meet cores for $15 each when I bought 'em. But I did buy a set of Sanderson headers. Fearless
about $3500 + for mine.. Don't forget about other things like headers multi-carbs,etc. Basic rebuild kit from Egge (Good stuff)....
You all are talking 3-4 grand with normal quality parts and doing your own assembly? That's not all that bad,it's easy to sink that much or more into a GMC inline 6.And i read here that Flathead Fords ain't none to cheap to build for power. Are the exhaust valve seats replacable on most old Hemi's without getting into trouble machining into water jackets ?
$400 for .030 new pistons & pins(Badger)/rings(Grant), $198 for rod/main bearings(King), $100 for a set of NIB Comp Cam Roller Lifters(unused from sold project), BIG $$$ for Roller Cam!, Stock valves in perfect condition, pistons individually fitted to each bore, ALL threads in head and block chased...picture of Bill for Machine work enclosed. Try Falcon Global in FL for obsolete parts. That's where I got most of my stuff for my rebuild from, and they're VERY competative...
Yes, they are replaceable, however, they are hardened and unless damaged beyond repair don't need to be replaced...
horse traded for the engine (8.1 gm engine) had about $3200 in machine shop bill , included everthing but cam kit . used olds h-beam rods , keith black 4" pistons , ford stainless valves , 340 oil pump , 340 dist. 340 fuel pump . many hot head parts - adapter , cross over , water pump adapters etc... assembled myself . i quit adding dollars at $4000 , well worth it though , runs like a scalded dog and im getting 23 mpg and the highway , and its great eye candy.
It really varies. Before I built mine I was told 3-4K to rebuild closer to 7K by the time you get it on the street, depending on what you put on it. This held pretty true on mine. The only things I would do different, is to rebuild the original water pump vs the BBC conversion. I did not realize the availability of rebuild kits. Also would have stuck with the generator. Some have rebuilt them very reasonable and very traditional, i.e. "Desoto". BTW, I have these for sale still... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387024 JJ
It can be done reasonably if you're just doing a stock rebuild. Go with a set of Venolia forgings. They're the least costly of aftermarket slugs and they'll stay together. Go with about a 9.5-1 comp. Put some ARP bolts in the rods. They're good rods and will live. Use a 318 timing chain kit. Otherwise a shop rebuild should be no higher than any other engine. Get your bearings from Hot Heads.
$100 to $20,000 how fast do you want to go?? and what shape is it in, it might be good to go I had about $700 into my desoto, including purchase price On a hot chrysler there are many ways to save money, 440 rods instead of aftermarkets, Poly 318 parts instead of hemi I figure my 331 should have $2500 to $3000 into it with a potvin type blower, then again i'm doing a lot of machine and port work
I agree with Shaggy. How much power do you want to make? If you can build it "right" for around $10/horsepower then I think that your doing good.
DeSoto, I take it the above is for your DeSoto not a Chrysler ( I know the heading is just 'early Hemi' but just want to clear up any confusion.)
.....don't worry. 2 grand barely covers the machine work and assembly costs on a high quality rebuild. If you've got a good and honest machine shop you get what you pay for. -Bigchief.
It all depends on how far you go with the rebuild, what shape everything is in to start with, etc... You can easily be in the $2500 - 4000 range . . . without doing anything really wild. When you start decking, align boring, custom fitting rods, custom pistons, adjustable rockers, etc . . . the price will continue to climb. Many of the prices and parts are not much different than a BBC, but other items cost quite a bit (rockers, oil pumps, bearings, etc). Then of course there is all the 'eye candy' stuff . . . valve covers, manifolds, multiple carbs . . . all adds up!
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