i think Im losing my mind. what should I do? I just called howell automotive to find out some stuff about a rebuild. I guess now I have two scenarios:

1.get the rebuild kit from howell and have somebody put it in for me.how much money are we talking here, I would love to take on this endeavor myself but I don't posess the tools nor the no how to even start to think about it. if anyone can help here give out a shout. what machining is a must here and how much am I looking at? howell auto just told me something about a deck and the top of the block not being even after the machining is done, never heard of this could someone give me some insight.

2.howell told me to buy the 2100$$ core which has already been built, I'll save money on machining but downtime will be nuts, and I still have to pay labor or do labor putting the mess back together which I don't have the tools nor the no how to do.

to all you guys who did a bottom end rebuild let me know how you guys made out, prices I will be looking at and details and problems you guys ran into? and also anyone in southern cali who can offer assistance/services when the time comes maybe we can work something out. beer/money/food whatever...just trying to outline my options ahead of time. thanks

We bore and hone the motor with a deck plate made specificly for the 420A. hen we had is built 2 months ago this was the only on in existance. This insure straigher cylinder walls.

As for down time, buying a prebuilt block should lessen your down time.

Gary

If I bought a prebuilt block, would I be able to get any money for the block that came out of the car?

yes, if you send them back your stock one.. its a couple $100 just look on there new website




Michael 99gs
HRC Stage 2
http://www.dreamwater.net/purplebeast

I talked to my mechanic and he said where he gets his machining done they also have a deck plate and they would be able to do my engine. i was kinda hoping to get some answers from the big guys who have pulled their own engine out before and took it apart and put it back together. I'm looking at around 2500 to 3000 to do everything, minus labor, all I'm looking at paying right now if I do it with a friend and his dad, is some labor costs (500), parts (1200), machining(300)
when you guys did this all yourself, do these prices look around the same

>If I bought a prebuilt block, would I be able to get any
>money for the block that came out of the car?


The core is $250. We send you a built engine with no head or oil pan. You put it in, and send us your used short block. Less the part you needed to put yours in. We need the core complete, just like the built engine we sent you. Don't pull out the crank, pistons or rods.

so what would be cheaper for me to do. I just found out that my friends dad who is a mechanic will put it in for me for a very minimal cost, now if I buy the core, its already ready to just drop in. I'll have a whole new block, whats the price on this again, I thought it was around 2400 sent to my doorstep, how long will this take once I order until I get my block in the mail?
now compare this scenario, I use my friends dad's help and buy the howell bottom end kit, how much will machining be, and what other machining do I have to do other that boring the cylinders .020 over? People keep telling me I have to machine the crank grooves or get a new crank. The core comes with a new crank so I'm thinking they are right, but I have never heard of anyone here talk about machining their crank. well help me decide which scenario will be best

If you buy a built short block it is plug and play.
You have to put your head on it, you timing stuff, your oil pan, etc. Take a day in a garage to switch.

If you buy the kit, then you have to have the machine work done to the block, crank, etc. You have to disassemble your factory engine, then one the machine work is done you have to reassemble it. Depending how busy the machine shop is it can take up to 4 weeks to have the work done.

Cost between the two options will be like this. If you buy the kit and build the engine yourself you will save money, but not time. If you buy the kit have somebody else do it, it will be more expensive and still have a lot of time involved. If you buy the short block you can continue to drive your car, until you get the short block and switch them in a day, so your down time is minimal.

Gary

A day if you've done it before or know your way around. Otherwise give yourself the weekend. Time to run for parts needed, etc.

Una salus victus.
"We are going to have peace even if we have to fight for it." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

Michael J. Kulaga
e-mail: Michael_97RS@2gntDSM.zzn.com aol IM: MJKulga
http://highlander.dsmpower.com/

All motor in the making.

Injen CAI, 55mm TB, P&P Intake Manifold, Hooker Header, GS-T Muffler, AFX UDP, S-AFC, 8.5mm Magnecor Wires, Crane Fireball HI-6DI2, SS Clutch Line, NRG Susp. Motor Mount Ins., FU/RU/RL STBs, TSW Blade 17x7.5, Bridgestone Potenza RE730, Front KVR Cross-Drilled Rotors & Carbon Fiber Pads

To Be Installed: P&P Milled Head, Rear Disc Brakes, Rear KVR Cross Drilled Rotors & Carbon Fiber Kevlar Pads, SS Brake Lines

thanks gary, I think I will be looking at the shortblock unless someway cheaper presents itself one thing though, from the time the short block is ordered how long until it gets here, I live in southern cali. How much would the grand total be getting close to shipped. I'm paying for a turbo kit now so when that is paid off, I will have some money left over plus the money my bro is going to loan me( he's charging me 20.99%apr lol) we'll see when all this is going to happen.