Machine Shop Problems

I have a 1947 CJ-2A with the original motor. It had been sitting up for at least 12 years before I got it run. I replace the carb, fuel pump, points, etc. It finally cranked and actually idled pretty well and ran O.K. It smoked terribly and I removed the head to find a pretty large ridge.

I decided to take the motor to the machine shop to be machined. The guy told me that it would be roughly $450 in labor and another 600-700 in parts. I left the motor there and 3 months later when he got to it the figure grew to $2280 total. He said that after he put it in the vat that every surface would have to be machined accept the crank bore. Deck the block, install new seats and guides, etc. I thought my original figure of 12-1400 dollars was more than enough to get the engine back in shape. There are no cracks and the machinist said the the base block was in pretty good shape to start with.

I plan to put 200-300 miles a year on this jeep. Is 2200 way to much to spend at the machine shop. It seems so to me. Please help me with what to do?

 

That sounds expensive to me, but is he rebuliding the motor? Are you going to be able to bring it home and put it in the 2A. I have about 1200 dollars in my machine work and rebuild kit. Mcruff helped me rebuild my motor so I did not have to pay labor. My engine may be more common and parts may be some cheaper.

I would also think it would be of some value to keep your original motor rather than buying another. Could you get a price quote from another machine shop?

Good luck.

 

He is going to return the motor as a short block. He said he was only charging $150.00 to put it back together less the waterpump.

 

I would ask for a complete break down of parts and cost. That price is excessive in my opinion.

 

Way over here. A guy can get a 350 honed and vat dipped for $80, thats how much my friends Camaro was. Willys-overland I think. Or was it Kaiser Willys... Has the rebuild kit for 700. I'm buying that once mines vat dipped and over bored (not sure I need an over bore yet)
You would have saved a lot of $$$ by doing all the labor yourself, and just having him machine it.

 

Here's my break down from about 4-5 years ago at a local machine shop.

http://48cj2a.com/engine_cost.htm

 

The "Go Devil" in my 3A spent some time in a machine shop in Maryland. I bought all of the parts through resources like Walck's & Krage Motorsports in order to eliminate the machine shop's mark-up. Regardless, $2280 seems extremely high, IMHO. I would check around for more prices... maybe that shop just doesn't want to deal with it, so they gave you a high price.

 

i got my v6 done long block with new comp cam installed and in the price for 1100. bored, dipped, milled, machined, fluxed, 3 angle valve seats, painted you name it. 2280 is way high! has he finished, and is it ready to go, pending balance?

 

The parts/machine shop labor for my L134 overhaul, done in central PA was roughly the same costas 48cja's. I ended up doing a few more things to mine--having the block and head decked (twice, I wouldn't recommend soaking the head mating surface in POR15 metal ready...) and had to get a crack repaired. I want to say out the door from the machine shop, not assembled was on the order of 1400... but slowly grew from there after I had my cam custom ground (clifford cams), picked up some new ignition parts, new solex, etc.

The machine shop price on the hard parts seemed to be better than anywhere else I looked. Not to mention it was REALLY convinient.

 

Fortunately, he has only magnafluxed and dipped the motor. I am in for only $60. I have a friend who restores antique cars that is going to help me out. He uses a machinist who is going to tear down the motor, machine it, and put it all back together for 1490. I think that is more in line. I do appreciate all of your help, and I will let you know how it all goes when I get it back.

 

Good luck, and we expect pic's and a full report when it is finished.

 

mine was somthing like $1600 to have it completly gone through and boored out and put back together. And that was with welding the cracked block