Rebuilding cost for a 1970 440HP engine sitting for 30 years

[70SunFun]

I know this is a wide-open question on an engine's current condition but was wondering what a ballpark cost is to rebuild a 1970 440HP engine. It's been sitting inside for 30 years, currently is bored 30 over, and has 12.5 to 1 pistons. I haven't kept up with engine rebuilding costs in many years so I don't want to be upside down from the cost of buying the engine plus the rebuilding cost. All thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Chryco Psycho]

How long is a piece of string ?
the budget could vary from $6k low end to $20k + stroker kits , Good alum heads , cam & rockers everything adds to the cost

 

[70SunFun]

How long is a piece of string ?
the budget could vary from $6k low end to $20k + stroker kits , Good alum heads , cam & rockers everything adds to the cost

Wow, that $ range is scary. The engine for sale is a long block for $450 plus I'd need to buy an intake and carb. Like you said, everything adds to the cost. Who knows what the inside of the engine looks like after sitting 30 years too. Much thanks.

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

Wow, that $ range is scary. The engine for sale is a long block for $450 plus I'd need to buy an intake and carb. Like you said, everything adds to the cost. Who knows what the inside of the engine looks like after sitting 30 years too. Much thanks.

That's the problem, you don't know. I bought a 1970 440 block and the machine shop had to overbore it 55 thou to clean it up because of the rust in the bores. Once I knew the bore size, I ordered the stroker kit that fit. Buying a stroker kit is going to be the easiest way to build the engine, but you're gonna want to have the block checked by a machinist before doing anything. Once you do that, you'll know what direction to go. It's time to plan, plan, plan. Think about what you want to do with the engine, then build the combo to suit. The planning should also include going through the transmission, torque converter (if auto trans), and possibly the rear end. Your vehicle is a collection of systems, and those systems must work together in harmony to get you the results you want.

 

[Spyder]

I recently picked up a standard bore block that looked good when I picked it up, had to go up to .040 over to clean it up. I'd be wary of one already at 030, and I wouldn't plan on reusing much or any of the internals which increases cost some, but I've got only slightly more experience than a rock so my opinion may not be worth much.

 

[One of few]

If you change your mind, I’ve got a brand new Edelbrock intake manifold I’ll turn loose $400, plus shipping.

 

[70SunFun]

That's the problem, you don't know. I bought a 1970 440 block and the machine shop had to overbore it 55 thou to clean it up because of the rust in the bores. Once I knew the bore size, I ordered the stroker kit that fit. Buying a stroker kit is going to be the easiest way to build the engine, but you're gonna want to have the block checked by a machinist before doing anything. Once you do that, you'll know what direction to go. It's time to plan, plan, plan. Think about what you want to do with the engine, then build the combo to suit. The planning should also include going through the transmission, torque converter (if auto trans), and possibly the rear end. Your vehicle is a collection of systems, and those systems must work together in harmony to get you the results you want.

Thank you.

 

[70SunFun]

I recently picked up a standard bore block that looked good when I picked it up, had to go up to .040 over to clean it up. I'd be wary of one already at 030, and I wouldn't plan on reusing much or any of the internals which increases cost some, but I've got only slightly more experience than a rock so my opinion may not be worth much.

Thank you.

 

[rickseeman]

Do you desire to overhaul the engine? I know the 12.5 pistons would mean avgas but overhauling an engine today is so expensive. I am in the process of starting 5 old Mopars (2 Challengers and 3 Road Runners) that haven't been started in over 25 years. One sat outside for 28 years. It's amazing how few of problems we've had. We've got 4 running and 1 to go. It's been fun. I'm not going to say what we did is right, I'm just telling you what we did. The owner didn't want to tear them down or spend any money. He admitted to us that he's never going to drive them, but he feels bad about neglecting them for so long. The first thing we did was go to Wal-Mart and get some cans of WD-40 that have the bendable metal hose nozzle. That way you can spray to the far side of the cylinder. Then we let it sit a week. One of them we had to hot wire because he didn't have the keys. If you are comfortable removing the distributor you should prime the oil system. You can remove the valve covers and squirt some oil on the valve stems and on the rocker shafts. He changed the oil in one first. One of them had a stuck oil pressure relief valve and ballooned the oil filter then blew out the oil filter gasket and dumped all the oil on the ground. 1 fuel system worked. Another one we filled the float bowls on the carburetor. On 2 we ran a hose from the fuel pump to a 1 gallon jug. We had ignition issues on one. Use a known carburetor. The owner of these cars hates Holleys. He said they always leak. When we started the 6-pak Challenger those 3 Holleys looked like the fountain at Ceasars Palace, fuel was going everywhere. We finally had to disconnect the outboards and just run the center carb. When we started this project I never dreamed these things would start. But now we think we are the masters of the universe and can do anything. His favorite car is last. It should be here in 10 days, a 69 Road Runner that he can't remember when it started last. (His wife told me later it was late 80's.) I'm confidant we will get it running.

 

[moparleo]

Do your self a favor and start with an engine that has not been rebuilt.
Rebuilt is a curse word when buying an engine unless you are buying a fresh engine from a reputable builder.
Otherwise just assume that everything inside will need refurbishment or replacement.

 

[70SunFun]

Do you desire to overhaul the engine? I know the 12.5 pistons would mean avgas but overhauling an engine today is so expensive. I am in the process of starting 5 old Mopars (2 Challengers and 3 Road Runners) that haven't been started in over 25 years. One sat outside for 28 years. It's amazing how few of problems we've had. We've got 4 running and 1 to go. It's been fun. I'm not going to say what we did is right, I'm just telling you what we did. The owner didn't want to tear them down or spend any money. He admitted to us that he's never going to drive them, but he feels bad about neglecting them for so long. The first thing we did was go to Wal-Mart and get some cans of WD-40 that have the bendable metal hose nozzle. That way you can spray to the far side of the cylinder. Then we let it sit a week. One of them we had to hot wire because he didn't have the keys. If you are comfortable removing the distributor you should prime the oil system. You can remove the valve covers and squirt some oil on the valve stems and on the rocker shafts. He changed the oil in one first. One of them had a stuck oil pressure relief valve and ballooned the oil filter then blew out the oil filter gasket and dumped all the oil on the ground. 1 fuel system worked. Another one we filled the float bowls on the carburetor. On 2 we ran a hose from the fuel pump to a 1 gallon jug. We had ignition issues on one. Use a known carburetor. The owner of these cars hates Holleys. He said they always leak. When we started the 6-pak Challenger those 3 Holleys looked like the fountain at Ceasars Palace, fuel was going everywhere. We finally had to disconnect the outboards and just run the center carb. When we started this project I never dreamed these things would start. But now we think we are the masters of the universe and can do anything. His favorite car is last. It should be here in 10 days, a 69 Road Runner that he can't remember when it started last. (His wife told me later it was late 80's.) I'm confidant we will get it running.

Thanks for this information!

 

[70SunFun]

Do your self a favor and start with an engine that has not been rebuilt.
Rebuilt is a curse word when buying an engine unless you are buying a fresh engine from a reputable builder.
Otherwise just assume that everything inside will need refurbishment or replacement.

Wise advice, thank you.