Age old dilemma

[ft laud mike]

Ok all, Got my $$ together and gi=oing to re-paint the vette and finishh the interior. Since this will take 6 -8 weeks, I was considering pulling the motor and getting a re build done (rings, bearings.....all re done). then the normal train of thought wanders.....hmmm maybe I should just get a new 454 from gm?? , might be cheaper.. but then what to do with the original engine
(dont have a garage to store it in)
so what do you guys think???
mike

 

[BarryK]

if you pulled the original motor I'd find someway to store it somewhere, otherwise you are killing another original numbers matching Vette and you will regret it at a later date, especially if you ever decide to sell it. You will lose at least 15-20% value of the car as a NOM car rather than original motor car. What about an inexpensive storage garage to keep it in? You can get one of those around my area for about $30/month plus you could store other items in it too that are cluttering up the house.

If storing the motor is just completely out of the question, than I'd recommend just rebuilding it rather than swapping it out.

Just my $.02

 

[vett boy]

Save it or rebuiid are the only two good choices.You'll hate yourself if you don't. My .02

 

[craig32]

Is there a core charge to buy a crate engine from GM or another manufacturer?

 

[ft laud mike]

i dont think there is a core charge, the 454 from gm goes for about 4500, does anyone know how much a rebuild would cost?

 

[BarryK]

probably about the same amount

 

[srs244]

mike

making the assumption that, like many of us, you can't or don't have the time/facilities/expertise to completely redo the engine yourself, i think you will find that the difference between rebuild vs GM crate will be pretty much in the same ballpark. either way, i definitely wouldn't get rid of the original block, particularly since it is still intact, running, etc and not just a POS, if you go crate. the value of the originality (by having all the original parts) will only increase as time goes by. there are quite a few really good engine builders in our area (i'm in the hollywood, fl area), including a shop in hollywood that was the primier engine builder during the early days of NASCAR (probably even before it was officially named NASCAR). if i can help you with the name, etc, please feel free to email me at srs244@gmail.com if i can help you out any.

steve

 

[Paranoid]

i dont think there is a core charge, the 454 from gm goes for about 4500, does anyone know how much a rebuild would cost?

I spent about that much, then add another $1800 for aluminum heads from GM.

I have all new parts except the crank, block and connecting rods. Those are the only "stock" parts remaining.

Money well spent.