My buddy's 351w in his 86 Bronco has seized up and we're looking for a reliable rebuild company. We're trying to soften the monetary blow, so a company remotely near southeast Michigan would help save shipping costs. The shop I usually go to is pushing the Jasper engines (I'm not surprised, as there's a huge Jasper poster on the wall). I've looked a bit online and the Jasper price of $1860 seems to be quite steep! The average is about $1400 with a low around $1100. Neither of us has the time available to start from scratch with a junkyard core. We will do most of the dismantling and (depending on how that goes) some of the putting-back-together to save costs, but "the absolute cheapest possible" is not required. We just don't want to get screwed a few months from now by a poor rebuild. Do any companies offer labor as part of the warranty?
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
--Pete

Cheaper alternative. If money is an issue, hit the wrecking yards

A.) a low mileage 351 $150-500
b.)Buy a whooped (but not blown or siezed) shortblock $50-150
Tear it down and have it rebuilt at the shop. ($350-400 for labor, 2-400 for the kit)

Other things to consider aka CHEAP INSURANCE
Ask the local racers (the ones who win) who builds their motors, use their engine builder. If that doesn't work, FIND A REPUTABLE MACHINE SHOP!!!

If you buy a used motor
*Tear it down and clean the crap out of it.
*Replace the freeze plugs with brass ones
*Take the crank and rods down to a shop
have crank polished/ground if it needs it. This will help new bearings survive ($20+)
have new rod bolts installed (you will need to have rods honed/re-conditioned($45 for ARP's, plus labor (85+)
*Buy a double roller timing chain, pref. one without the factory retard($30-50)
*Buy a new oil pump and oil pump *hardened* shaft($40)
*Install a new camshaft and lifters ***Dont mix used lifters with a new cam and vice versa*** (PAW and Summit sells cam and lifter kits for about $80)
*Have a THREE ANGLE valve job done on the heads $150-$200

Not nescessary, but why not?
*Balancing. It doesnt give you any more power, but it helps the motor stay together better at higher revs. (another $150-200)
*bump up the compression ratio to 9:1 with the new pistons you might need if you bore the motor. Go Hyperutectic by the way (not cast pistons)


You can have a good motor for less than $1000 that is as good as, or better than rebuilt if you shop around and use your head.

I know you said time is an issue but consider this. Finding a useable core shouldn't take more than one afternoon with your fingers doing the walkin...(using the phone to call the junkyards) Having a machine shop rebuilding your motor shouldnt take more than 1-2 weeks. Assembling the motor shouldnt take more than a weekend, assuming you have the proper toolsand knowhow. It is more work to go this route, but you know what you are getting

There's a company from Washington state called Evergreen. I've had very good luck with their rebuilds.

Rich