3.2 Carrera Engine Rebuild Costs

[damo2576]

Hi,
I know its a how long is a piece of string kinda question, but if I have to factor in an engine rebuild to the purchase of a higher mileage 80's 3.2 what ball park should I be in?
TIA!

[Bill Stein]

Ball park 5k.

[damo2576]

Thanks. So around 3-8k should cover most eventualities?
Decisions, decisions!

[BertBert]

Bill Stein said:

Ball park 5k.

Presumably a top end build without splitting the cases?

I've had a very big build of a 2.7 engine at 12k

[996ttalot]

damo2576 said:

Thanks. So around 3-8k should cover most eventualities?
Decisions, decisions!

As Bert said, it depends on what is rebuilt.

A full rebuild depending on what actualy needs to be replaced would be around the 8-12k mark including VAT. A lot of times when we do these it is only until you strip the top that you find out how far you need to go. A compression test does give a strong indication at that point in time however.

Are you getting the car inspected first?

Ken

[BertBert]

996ttalot said:

As Bert said, it depends on what is rebuilt.

A full rebuild depending on what actualy needs to be replaced would be around the 8-12k mark including VAT. A lot of times when we do these it is only until you strip the top that you find out how far you need to go. A compression test does give a strong indication at that point in time however.

Are you getting the car inspected first?

Ken

In my build, we re-used the cases, crank, oil pump and heads and changed most other bits (not the tinwork or ancillaries though).

[graemel]

This is a tough one. Err go. I bought a 3.2 SSE with FSH and 68,000 miles on the clock. Genuine. Leak down test showed mostly around 10% loss and 20% on one or two cylinders. Top end rebuild only was the theory. The engine was sent off to a specialist that a very good mate uses for his race engines. It needed new valve guides, two cracked exhaust ports. Oil pump had a tight spot in it. Rings worn to 1.7mm, 1.0mm maximum. Bores perfect. I could have maybe put new rings in but I chose to bite the bullet and buy new barrels, pistons, rings etc. New oil pump, timing chains, big end bearings etc.
The engine has been fully rebuilt at probably half what it would have cost in the UK to do the job. The labour was £2400 including machining costs. Parts where £3700. As Ken says until you strip it you do not know what you are in for. Why mine was worn out with so little mileage. My guess is a lot of town work and it had not been caned a bit. Been driven too much like Miss Daisy IMO.

[Bill Stein]

BertBert said:

Presumably a top end build without splitting the cases?

I've had a very big build of a 2.7 engine at 12k

Yeah pretty much Bert, although i had the rods taken off my 3.2 new big and little end shells but not the cases split, new chains couple of gear wheels and then the usual stuff associated with top end. I think you can have 3 different type of builds. 1, Total rebuild replace everything regardless and sometimes done when not always needed. 2, Total rebuild but reuse all but worn parts. 3 , top end general rebuild. I have always, well twice been pretty lucky on both my 3.2 and 930 rebuilds in as much as things like cylinders/pistons/etc have always been spot on. That said neither of my engines had ever been apart since the factory. My mate was'nt so lucky with his 3.2 and he needed all sorts, barrels/pistons/valve springs, the list went on and his was around 8.5k as i recall.

[timlit]

Took car in to Unit 11 last November for a top end rebuild, but turned into needing new barrels & pistons plus big ends, chains, valves, etc, also had all engine metalwork passivated or recoated. Fansastic job only problem looked so good shame to put it back into the car ! Cost including the nasty vat was £6.5k, but well worth it, goes like its trousers are on fire ( in comparison to what it did !)