Rebuild Questions..Please help the novice

I have about a 1979 Buick 231 in my 1960 CJ5. I have already rebuilt the heads, carb, etc.. and replaced all the accessories. I have a wide range of compression among cylinders. One is at about 75, most are 95-105, and one is at 130. With the heads removed, I can see where the cylinder wall is scratched on the cylinder with 75. Im getting 40 psi oil pressure at cold startup, but it goes down to about 22 psi when it warms up. Im pretty sure the block is good, just has a ton of miles on it. I have no idea how many miles, though.

I want to have it hot tanked, magnafluxed, over-bored or sleeved, crank checked and balanced, new plugs, new cam, new pistons, new bearings, new oil pump, etc. Do I need to do all of this? What else should I do? And most importantly, what should I expect to pay for all this? Furthermore, does anyone know of a good machine shop in central, north-central Indiana?

As always, thanks for the help.

 

With a common engine, it's not worth it to have the block sleeved if it is worn that much.

Here's a price list that seems typical - picked at random. http://www.aacncclub.com/crucemotor/MACHINESHOPPRICES.html Price should vary, by region.

You'll need at a minimum: block cleaning and overbore, crack checking, pistons, gaskets, recondition heads, and a crank kit. Most people have to take the shop's word on other operations, like reconditioning the rods, surfacing, or balancing. The alternative is to measure everything yourself to determine what you need. In my experience, shops will always recommend surfacing, in particular, whether you need it or not.

I'd recommend getting a crank kit, which includes a resurfaced crank and bearings. You'll also need pistons, rings, gaskets, and a timing set.

 

I'd also recommend a crash course in engine rebuilding using this book - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/15...102-6746686-3312160?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

Your local library should have automotive tech books which may also help. The above paperback book will answer most of your questions though, and doesn't cost much. The books about other engine types are also good, ie http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0895860708/ref=pd_bxgy_img_b/102-6746686-3312160?_encoding=UTF8 though the details will vary. There are similar books for big and small block Fords and Chevys.

 

tank about $40
magnafluxed was free for mine
bore-about $12 a hole
balanced-about $125 (not necessary actually unless you plan on above around 6500 rpm)
turn crank-about $125
cam-about $125 in PAW
oil pump-about $30 on ebay
bearing-about $15 on ebay
pistons-about $30-$40 each for descent ones (summit offers some @ about 9.3:1 compression instead of 8:1.)

i lost $3000 in an engine once because i did NOT magnaflux it and one cylinder split. 552 miles on it and it detonated (i kept a piston from it as a reminder)...i was crushed (bought a short block and xfered all the parts over.)
if it has miles, you will probably need to turn the crank.
check ebay before you buy bearings/gaskets. i buy them on ebay from reputable stores (reputable bearings) for about 1/4 to 1/2 the price of the nearest FLAPS.
you can get engine overhaul gaskets for not too much there as well.
cant help you on the locations though, i live in AZ.
(post started, then finished 2 hours later...hope no one else has posted this same info.)

 

It will probly be cheaper and faster to get a rebuilt short block..

 

"It will probly be cheaper and faster to get a rebuilt short block.."

Certainly faster, maybe cheaper. Depends on whetehr they will take your scratched up block as a core. If it's too damaged to bore, probably not.