How much does a rebuild cost?

[mathishard]

Hello all,

My '71 bus tanked on me a few weeks ago and I have been told that I need to have the engine rebuilt or have a rebuilt engine put into it.  I have one guy who has given me an estimate (he hasn't seen the bus yet so he gave me a worst case number).  He also mentioned that if I didn't want to spend the coin to fix the bus he's probably be willing to buy it from me.  While this is nice I want to make sure I'm not being given a high ball estimate in the hopes of scaring me into selling my otherwise very well kept bus.

So, what I'm wondering is if anyone can give me a general range for how much this might cost.  I understand there are probably a lot of variables involved but hopefully asking on here will give help me be a little better informed.  

Thanks in advance!

[MrLiMBO]

Figure the cost of a rebuilt engine about 1100 dollars (GEX website, though I don't recommend anyone in particular I just remembered their name)  Another 8 hours of labor to remove and install the engine, taking all the good stuff off of your old engine and installing it on the new engine.   Figure another 500 for misc stuff, clutch, gaskets, new fuel lines, tune up parts (cap, rotor, wires plugs and points) that sort of thing.  You'll probably looking at the 2500 dollar mark for a pro to install the engine.  All you'll need to do is write a check.  

Doing it yourself probably about half that.  Plus a couple of full days to do it yourself. Especially if its your first time.

I'm sure you could find a good rebuilt engine cheaper than I did.  I just did a quick google search and found GEX.  You'll have to do some searching.  I remember a day when you could buy a rebuilt engine from Sears.

[mathishard]

Very helpful, thanks!

[St.Bus]

also theres few guys who just build turn key engines and sell em ,
if you got a few skills, you can get one shipped and install it yourself, or with the proper amount of beer, bribe a few buddys as well.
if you need names and numbers, im got some. also i drink beer! i think $1200-$1500 gets an engine shipped and ready to install. these engines would be coming from the Carolinas.Joe

[GinoXB]

I'm also researching for a rebuild of my 74 VW bus. Any suggestions for a place to buy a rebuild kit?

[Vanagonjr]

LOTS of bad news about GEX-careful

[jereandjess]

We put an AVP rebuilt longblock into our 78 10 years ago now....Worked out really well.

What's wrong with the engine that makes you say it needs to be rebuilt?  

Are you handy working on the bus?  Pulling the engine and doing a top end rebuild, pistons/cylinders and new heads is not a terribly hard job, just time consuming.  I had never done it before but felt up for it and did our 77 engine a few years ago.  

New P/C and Heads will run you about $600-800 for decent ones, not the top of the line, but decent, and not GEX quality!  

Then it's just your time.

Good luck!

[greggholmes]

So your 71 has an upright 1600 right?

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbxkLgmuIBY&feature=related

$279 for the rebuild kit

[url]http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ACC-C10-5000[url]


watch the videos.

Have your heads freshened up and you are good to go