Engine rebuild - is it *really* that difficult / expensive?

[debaron]

Have decided to get hold of a 4.6 High Compression RR lump and rebuild it with top hats, spicy cam and decent stage 2/3 heads, reground crank etc.

It's a project to keep me occupied on damp weekends and dark evenings and I relish a challenge. Not too bad with a spanner and have read up a lot on it.

However both my dad and another mechanic have both told me I'm mad and shouldn't bother as it will cost a fortune and be very difficult!


I work the approx cost out as follows


Engine 2nd hand - £600

Top hats fitted - £800

Regrind crank - £80

Heads/head work - £500

Spicy Cam - £150

Tappets, timing chain and other stuff £500

Bearings/studs £300

Other costs unforseen £400


All comes out around £3200


A typical Stage 2 Long engine is £3600 with VAT and still needs a cam and tappets and other ancillaries so am winning on the cost side.


I will have a space on a bench in a professional garage so should be fine getting hold of tools.

I know people on here have rebuilt their own engines - is it really that hard?
Am I going to wish I'd not bothered and just phoned V8D and given the credit card a battering ?


Any advice always gratefully received!

Ryan

[Grey Ghost]

I'd have a chat with Dom at TVR Power. They offer a "drive in - drive out" upgrade on 4.0litre V8's for c£3,500 and that comes with a warranty. I'm sure they would do one for a 4.6.

[jammy_basturd]

Well worth budgeting a few hundred extra for balancing work, the smoothness of the engine once done will amaze you.

Rebuilding engines isn't that difficult as long as you take your time on the bits that require care and attention.

Also be prepared to budget for some proper/specialist tools if you've never rebuild an engine before.

I say go for it, you'll never learn if you don't.

PS. Whatever your costing adds up to, double it, this is then you're budget that you shouldn't need to go over.

[domV8]

jammy_basturd said:

Well worth budgeting a few hundred extra for balancing work, the smoothness of the engine once done will amaze you....

PS. Whatever your costing adds up to, double it, this is then you're budget that you shouldn't need to go over.

Agreed.

My rebuild cost IRO £6.5k inc. labour - but I went for a comprehensive list of new parts and details that perhaps many here wouldn't.

My take on this is that if you are spending £1000's rebuilding an engine, why skimp here-and-there to save the last little bits of cash? I would rather pay the extra up front and know that everything was the best it could be/used the best components/etc, than *wish I had* later on (for any number of reasons)...

All IMO,


Dom

[debaron]

Grey Ghost said:

I'd have a chat with Dom at TVR Power. They offer a "drive in - drive out" upgrade on 4.0litre V8's for c£3,500 and that comes with a warranty. I'm sure they would do one for a 4.6.

TBH - more power isn't the only reason I'm doing this. I put it down to the 'AirFix' factor. Building it is half the fun! I'd like to learn the engine internals and expand my skillset a little too.

Quinny - Thanks for the price list - very helpful.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

I think I'll give it a go!

[EggsBenedict]

A good resource is 'A 4x4 is born' DVD. He rebuilds a Range Rover V8 in it. It's the same animal really. The bits that go into it for your build will be different of course, but it's the same overall principle.

[Alexdaredevilz]

debaron said:

I think I'll give it a go!

Good man!

[steviejasp]

Do it. Its great fun!
I built a couple of Big block Chevys in my twenties with not much more than a halfords toolkit.
Take your time, check and re-check everything.The sleepless nights worrying about it are long forgotten when it starts and runs.