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Head gasket replacement- 304

Head gasket replacement- 304
:)No question that needs to come out.........That motor has been on Life Support for a while now!

:D:D:D:D
 
I'm gunna offer some extra hands working for a day. Lol


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So I pulled block out and sent it off to machine shop. Pretty reputable little shop. Quote came back on short block alone at $1300!!! Said the crank needs ground, cylinders bored, blah blah all the way down to freeze plugs. Is this un heard of for the bottom half only? How much could I buy a decent used AMC 304 for? I'm at about $1700 for whole engine if I have them do the block!! Wasn't expecting this.


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Wrangled13 said:
So I pulled block out and sent it off to machine shop. Pretty reputable little shop. Quote came back on short block alone at $1300!!! Said the crank needs ground, cylinders bored, blah blah all the way down to freeze plugs. Is this un heard of for the bottom half only? How much could I buy a decent used AMC 304 for? I'm at about $1700 for whole engine if I have them do the block!! Wasn't expecting this.


:)At that price I would assume that includes Pistons & Rings, bearings ,gaskets , maybe even assembly?

What is he doing other than boring the block and grinding the crank?

:D:D:D:D
Click to expand...
 
I'm heading to look a it. Pretty sure that includes rods and chain and gears and who knows what else. I'll try to get list while there. And it includes assembly


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How much could one find a decent, good running short black for? I know it's a loaded question but just thinking estimate


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The shop close to me says for cam bearing, freeze plugs, clean, bore and hone .030 is about $600. To deck it, line bore, grind the crank and do a few other things to be a complete top to bottom machined block is $1100-$1300. So it sounds right in the ball park. That's not including parts or assembly. If you want to buy a remanned engine your looking at the same price, but you won't know who is "remanning it for you" or you can find a "running driving" AMC 304 /360 for around $500 and throw that in but again you have no idea how well it's been kept up, or how's it's been beat on. The pics of the block you posted shows a lot of wear, sludge build up from overheating and lack of oil changes, and it has atleast 2 bent push rods.. That would be enough for me to walk away from it. With the signs of overheating and bent rods I'd say it will take atleast $1300 in labor to get it back to good.

I'd much rather spend the money to have it done right the first time then have it go out down the road.
 
I dont want to be miserable or anything but I think you should start out with a better candidate to begin with. Look for a running 360 that needs a freshening or something thats already rebuilt. Im with Jimbo on just how this looks. :(

DSCN2326_zpsacea5eb9.webp
 
I need to ask what he thinks about integrity of to block. It's a full rebuild, but as long as its a full rebuil and the block will hold up to it, can't imagine any issues. I was hoping that it wouldn't come to this, but I don't really want to buy another engine and have to adapt to it. The guys are very reputable around here so I trus them, plus for what it is, it doesn't seem like a bad deal. However, if the block can't hold it, no point. Block seems solid from what he said. Need to ask more questions before I decide.


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Wrangled13 said:
I need to ask what he thinks about integrity of to block. It's a full rebuild, but as long as its a full rebuil and the block will hold up to it, can't imagine any issues. I was hoping that it wouldn't come to this, but I don't really want to buy another engine and have to adapt to it. The guys are very reputable around here so I trus them, plus for what it is, it doesn't seem like a bad deal. However, if the block can't hold it, no point. Block seems solid from what he said. Need to ask more questions before I decide.


:)Wrangled............The only issue of integrity would be if the block is cracked.

I would not go out and buy another Junk Yard used backyard rebuilt simply because you never know what it has been through and who did the work.

First off your motor will get hot tanked which will make it nice and pretty, new freeze plugs, Bored, crank ground, new pistons, rings, bearings........I'm sure your guy will check the lifter bores and replace the cam bearings ...... Timing gears and chain and also get a new oil pump.
Note: there is a AMC 304 quick oiling update that should be considered when its apart..... talk to your mechanic.

Of course you should also have him tune your heads up with a valve job and valve guide seals........

Now you have a dependable engine that will last and take you anywhere you want to go.

:D:D:D:D
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Thanks for the info. I have read about the oiling update and will have that done as well. It is a full rebuild of the bottom end only reusing the crank (obviously with some work) and the rods. Everything else will be replaced.
 
Not putting words into any other peoples mouths but I think the integrity issue is what we question. Its pretty obvious the previous owner (s) didnt care for this engine at all. Disassemble it all and send the block to the shop you mentioned. They will tell you if the block is sound

Am I correct in thinking the shop hasnt seen the engine yet and you are just going off an estimate? Im not trying to be a prick or anything , I just dont want to see you get involved with a worn out engine with possible defects that you cant rebuild again! I hate to throw away money myself. ;)


tarry99 said:
:)Wrangled............The only issue of integrity would be if the block is cracked.

I would not go out and buy another Junk Yard used backyard rebuilt simply because you never know what it has been through and who did the work.

First off your motor will get hot tanked which will make it nice and pretty, new freeze plugs, Bored, crank ground, new pistons, rings, bearings........I'm sure your guy will check the lifter bores and replace the cam bearings ...... Timing gears and chain and also get a new oil pump.
Note: there is a AMC 304 quick oiling update that should be considered when its apart..... talk to your mechanic.

Of course you should also have him tune your heads up with a valve job and valve guide seals........

Now you have a dependable engine that will last and take you anywhere you want to go.

:D:D:D:D
Click to expand...
 
Petescj said:
Not putting words into any other peoples mouths but I think the integrity issue is what we question. Its pretty obvious the previous owner (s) didnt care for this engine at all. Disassemble it all and send the block to the shop you mentioned. They will tell you if the block is sound

Am I correct in thinking the shop hasnt seen the engine yet and you are just going off an estimate? Im not trying to be a prick or anything , I just dont want to see you get involved with a worn out engine with possible defects that you cant rebuild again! I hate to throw away money myself. ;)
Click to expand...

I appreciate it. They have the block torn completely down to nothing. That's how I got the quote


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Alright that answers the integrity question then. :) Whats the bore going to be? Was it rebuilt before?
 
Wrangled13 said:
I dont believe it was ever rebuild prior to this. it will be bored .030 over.
Click to expand...

Thats good news there. You will have room to rebuild again if you ever need to. Mine was never rebuilt before and they had to go 60 over for comparison. It should run good, but this is its first and last rebuild if I had to guess. That will be my childrens' problem though...:D:chug:
 
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