Engine prices

[MONC440]

Just wanted to get some opinions on what you guys think are fair prices for rebuilt 440 and 383 engines.

So what do you guys think is fair for a completely rebuilt engine done correctly. Nothing fancy just built to stock 1969 HP standards. With cast pistons, new rings, bearings, double roller timing chain, cam, oil pump, 3 angle valve job, stock intake, oil pan. Already ran for cam break in.

I myself think a 440 would be around 4000 and 383 a little bit less. Maybe a little more for forged crank engines or engines with a desirable cast date.

Thanks

 

[Fury1969WI]

Are you talking about buying a used/off the shelf engine that someone "rebuilt" or building your own?

Regarding the latter, a couple thoughts;

A couple of decades ago i paid somewhere around $3500 for a 440 short block, though that has forged JE pistons, otherwise sounds similar to what you're looking for. No head work and I did final assembly and break in. Even back then machine shops were shying away from valve jobs on old iron heads as cost-prohibitive, IIRC about $1000 at the time around here (Southern WI). Unless you can find someone that just pumps out Mopar engines from a barn (not that there's anything wrong with that!), I suspect a full build with head work and break in set-up and run time (no dyno) you would be more than twice that 20+ years later.

I think the price difference between rebuilding a 440 vs a 383 would be negligible. The biggest difference would be the starting purchase prices of the core. You can get a complete 383 for practically nothing ($200? And those ALWAYS have a forged crank) whereas a good 440 bare block will cost somewhere around $400 tho YMMV.

 

[1970FuryConv]

I am rebuilding a 440 now. I think $4000 is lower than you'll have to pay for quality work.

 

[SIPLOWGUY]

Just wanted to get some opinions on what you guys think are fair prices for rebuilt 440 and 383 engines.

So what do you guys think is fair for a completely rebuilt engine done correctly. Nothing fancy just built to stock 1969 HP standards. With cast pistons, new rings, bearings, double roller timing chain, cam, oil pump, 3 angle valve job, stock intake, oil pan. Already ran for cam break in.

I myself think a 440 would be around 4000 and 383 a little bit less. Maybe a little more for forged crank engines or engines with a desirable cast date.

Thanks

Last engine I had done was a Slant 6. More of a freshening up and strictly stock was $3600. It was done by a highly recommended machine shop that does work for the guys at work who race. I was VERY happy with the end results.

 

[MONC440]

Are you talking about buying a used/off the shelf engine that someone "rebuilt" or building your own?

I’m not talking about if you built it yourself I mean if you were to buy it ready to install in your car.

Thanks for your great input

 

[CBODY67]

What might some of the prices from Summit Racing on crate engines be? I haven't looked lately . . . Seems like they usually have one or two sources on them?

CBODY67

 

[polara71]

I’m not talking about if you built it yourself I mean if you were to buy it ready to install in your car.

Thanks for your great input

A rebuilt engine is the same price as a core, thats all I'd pay. I can not see inside of it nor do I know what's been done or if its been done correctly. Just because a seller says so doesn't make it true. I also dont know how it was treated at or after the initial start up. Unless the seller was an over the top reputable builder they're all bought as cores.

 

[MONC440]

A rebuilt engine is the same price as a core, thats all I'd pay. I can not see inside of it nor do I know what's been done or if it’s been done correctly. Just because a seller says so doesn't make it true. I also dont know how it was treated at or after the initial start up. Unless the seller was an over the top reputable builder they're all bought as cores.

What if it was from a trusted engine builder?

 

[Darby]

I have a couple 383hp engines, one of them is a complete engine that I have on a run stand at this time. The engine has about 20k on it and it runs great. I purchased it from a friend that blew his engine and went to a local engine builder/car guy to see if he could build an engine for him. The builder was in the process of rebuilding this engine for one of his cars, but sold it to my friend and installed it for him. 6 to 8 months later my friend lost control of the car and hit a bridge with the back of the car and totaled it . The complete engine/trans sat in his garage for about two years until he called me to see if I still wanted it (every time I saw it I'd ask him if he was ready to sell it). It was in my car for several years, I put less than 17k on it so I figure it has less than 20 on it. I have a different engine in my car now, so I don't need this one. I'd sell the running engine for $4000. Before the shutdown in 2020 I had a guy that wanted most of my big block stuff so I made a video of the engine running and sent it to him. I believe he ended up shutting the business down so I still have this engine. There's a video of the engine running on my YouTube channel if you'd like to hear it. The link is attached. I had it in a 1965 Sport Fury so it has the provisions for the left engine mount. I also have the engine mounts for the 1970 Cuda that were on it when I got it. I don't know what cam is in it, but my friend told me it wasn't the stock one.

 

[polara71]

What if it was from a trusted engine builder?

My feeling is regardless of who built it unless it hasn't left their shop then its a core/used engine. Pardon my distrust in humanity, opinions vary, perceptions differ, definitions are regional.

 

[Big_John]

My feeling is regardless of who built it unless it hasn't left their shop then its a core/used engine. Pardon my distrust in humanity, opinions vary, perceptions differ, definitions are regional.

Very true!

I've heard soooooo many claims of this or that guy built an engine and I know they didn't. A couple times of "so and so" built this one last year and the builder had been dead for 10 years. Others claims of guys building engines that I know don't build engines.

 

[Fury1969WI]

This guy, Larry Cody, regularly posts engine builds - tho' he's in Canada (will meet you at the border - at least used to be willing to do that). I considered one of his 400 based 451 engines in last couple years for a friends project - much milder (and cheaper!) than this one. Tho' i don't know the conversion rate Loonies to Washingtons or if other fees apply today.

Fresh 400-470 Mopar Dodge Stroker

 

[Fury1969WI]

I found the FB Messenger chat with Larry Cody (July 2024) - FYI below.

While i know absolutely nada about Larry (maybe someone reading this knows??), he says that he specializes in big block Mopar, says he builds about 10 a year, normally budget based B (400) builds. He has a good FB Marketplace rating overall.

He listed a budget 400 for $5300 since i first contacted - which i thought was shockingly cheap. He uses factory iron heads so that saves a lot right there and it seems he has a relationship with a local machine shop. He was the guy I was thinking of when i said "Unless you can find someone that just pumps out Mopar engines from a barn (not that there's anything wrong with that)."

Finally, he said he's work with me if i had a specific cost or project in mind. IMO - this is probably about as cheap as they come for a fully-rebuilt engine.



Side Note: He also built an engine run stand using part of a 727 case and a cheap-o Chevy stand - but that's another story!


From Messenger:

"...

You sent
Why are you selling the engine?

Larry​

I am retired, its just a hobby, l sell usally 10 a yr on average

You sent​

... Do you specialize in mopar builds?

Larry​

Yes, l only do big blocks, just simple builds usually, building a 493 for a fellow in Ohio, gets dynoed in 2 weeks

...

Normaly, l just do budget builds, easier to sell

Larry​

Thanks, if you want to build your own on a budget, l found and bought a brand new 4.15 400 crank cheap. Pm me if your interested ,l will give you website. Makes a 500 ci 400 block

Larry​

Crank is 499.oo shipped free, rods are Speedmaster, around 400.00, pistons and rings are Wiseco, l believe l saw them for approx 600.00,this is US pricing

That is for a 500ci 400 block build

Larry
Warren, l have a nice 400 listed, $5300, if you want to take a look

 

[cbarge]

My experience is 440 builds are more common and cheaper than 383 build.
Reason is 440 specific engine parts are more readily available and not as expensive as 383 specific engine parts.(Read pistons!)
My old 68 NYer I rebuilt the 440 in it at 92,000 miles with a Purple camshaft,452 heads, 750 Marine Carter carb modded to run on dry land. Under 3000.00 reusing stock pistons.

My 383 currently in my 68 Newport cost 6 grand.
Despite only having 62,000 miles on it,it was driven hard and hung up wet to dry.
Ego cylinders warranted a .40 overbore which required new pistons....Cha-Ching. That snowballed into balancing the reciprocating assemblies. Moly rings,etc.
A new Comp cam snowballed into matching valve springs,hardened valve seats in the original 906 heads, 17 thou head gaskets, and the list goes on.
My point is when planning on an engine build do some homework.
A healthy 440 can be built for less compared to building a stroker out of a 383 or 400.
Depends on what you want and how deep yer pockets are.
Lastly, I prefer buying a core motor,rip it apart and plan a build from there.
Never trusted " ran when pulled".
Unless it is a motor I know and seen running.
Hope this helps..maybe,lol