whats the going price for rebuilding a L-28

[ziggy76028]

i havn't had time to shop around or search. i have a 77-280z 2x2 the engine cranks but wont start there's a rod knock. the last time i had a L-24 rebuilt was over 10 years ago and it cost me 1600.00 i have a choice of rebuilding or buying a already rebuilt one which would be the best rout to take. i havn't had a L-28 professionally rebuilt before so i dont know the going price these days.

thanks patrick

[69firebird]

Funny I'm having mine rebuilt now. To pull rebuild reinstall is costing me $1,500-$1,700. You can buy already rebuilt on e-bay $2,500 SH $500 you pull your and install yourself. Good luck Steve

[ziggy76028]

thanks doesnt seem to be that much different in cost after 10 yrs:classic:

[Carl Beck]

Funny I'm having mine rebuilt now. To pull rebuild reinstall is costing me $1,500-$1,700.

Wow.. that is a really cheap price. I guess it depends on what you really mean by "rebuilt". New rings and bearings, throw in a fresh valve job and reassemble... you might get away with $1,700.00 around here.

On a more comprehensive basis.. pull the engine, strip the block and pickle it, then send it to the machine shop for fresh over-bore, check the deck, replace the oil plugs, freeze plugs etc. Then completely rebuild the head, with new valves and steel seats; most likely new cam kit, add a new timing chain and gear; new oversize pistons, rod bolts etc. etc. New oil pump, water pump, all new bolts etc etc In that case around here your talking $3,500.00 to $3,800.00 at least.

As I recall, I spent more than $1,700.00 on parts alone on the last L24 I had overhauled.

You can buy already rebuilt on e-bay $2,500 SH $500 you pull your and install yourself. Good luck Steve

Personally - I would NOT buy an engine on E-Bay. Spend the money up front and order a stock rebuild from someone like Rebello. Or have someone like John Williams do the work in Atlanta.

I'm sure that there are great places in Texas as well. Find someone that has done L series rebuilds for decads and has lots of happy customers driving them over 150K miles..

FWIW,

Carl B.

Edited October 26, 2008 by Carl Beck

[Force Fed]

Well, there's really no need to buy new valves, as long as the old ones are in spec and can have a 3-angle valve job done w/ no problems. Same w/ the valve springs, as long as they check out they will work fine, although a nice set of new, matched springs would be much better. However I don't see it being a problem on a stock rebuild. Definitely have the valve guides and seals replaced.

Boring, kinda depends on the mileage, sometimes you can get away w/ just honing and re-ringing, needs to be properly checked though. If the bores are more than .005" out of round or worn out, the rings may not seat properly, piston slap can occur, etc. I've had good luck w/ my Chrysler 4-cyl's just honing and re-ringing, not sure if it's the way the blocks are, or if inline engines in general wear well.

Also don't forget to have the crank checked and the rods checked and re-sized as necessary

So, a cheap rebuild could be done by yourself for probably a grand or less. A full rebuild, replacing everything w/ new parts whether they are needed or not, I'm sure can get very expensive. Having someone do the work also adds in labor costs.