[Jack Burton]

Hey guys live in massachusetts and am looking at what it might cost to rebuild the 304 in my 79 cj 5. On the south shore.

Thanks

 

[CJ5_Fan]

I had mine rebuilt about five years ago. It was $3000 to have the motor pulled rebuilt and reinstalled. I do not know how prices are nowadays but that at least gives you a general idea.

 

[Mister4x4]

It depends on a lot of things:

• Are you wanting to just drop-off the Jeep and pick it up when it's done?
• How fast are you expecting this to happen (less time usually means more money)?
• Are you planning on using a professional, letting a mechanic friend do it, having a buddy help, or doing it yourself?
• Does the Jeep run now (runs rough, seized engine, turns over but no start, burns oil, no power, et al)?
• Are you willing/able to pull the engine, transport to the shop, pick it up, and reinstall it yourself?
• Are you willing/able to do the above, but just have machine work done, and rebuild it all yourself?
• Are you just looking for a list of parts with approximate costs?
• How deep are you wanting to go (refresh, mild power boost, off-road/racing engine, et al)?
• Would you be upgrading anything (performance parts, swapping to EFI, et al)?
• What do you use the Jeep for (daily driver, weekend cruiser, mild trails, hardcore trails/rocks/mud, et al)?

Sorry for all the questions, but those are some of the things needed for consideration to provide an actual answer with meaningful information. I'm sure others will chime in with their experiences.

For instance, you could drive it to a mechanic, drop it off, pick it up in a few months, and write a check for $7-8000 for a simple refresh (machine work, new seals, reassembly, dyno run [maybe], reinstallation, vehicle storage, 150% mark-up on parts, etc.).

Conversely, if you have the skills, you could pull the engine, disassemble it, take the block, crank, pistons, and heads to a machine shop and have them work it over, take it all home and reassemble the engine yourself, and you're basically paying for parts, machine work, and whatever new tools you decide to add to your collection, which could be between $1500-3000, depending on how much the shop charged and you throw at parts and tools.

Hope this helps!

 

[Jack Burton]

Would want it done right. Keeping it stock , no upgrades. That is steep.

 

[Mister4x4]

Would want it done right. Keeping it stock , no upgrades. That is steep.

Well, that's just a total WAG based on almost zero information... and that's probably going to be light on actual labor costs (depending on what you need/want done). I would recommend calling around in your local area to get a better read on what actual mechanics would be charging you - and not rely on some guy halfway across the country on an internet forum for an estimate.

 

[ChrisReyn]

My 304's at the shop right now.. theres a huge backlog of engines waiting to be rebuilt due to the whole Covid thing, so expect a wait.
A full rebuild, getting bored, new bearings & seals throughout and a new cam, lifters..
I dropped it off and will pick it up, drive it home..
The total to date is $3800 and the balance is expected to be under $2500.. so top end Im looking at around $6200.
Part of the cost is that ( per the shop) there arent many machine shops with the experience or a willingness to do an AMC engine, at least around here. Not clear on why.
I could save a bunch if I had the time and a place to do a lot of it myself, but I dont, so will pay to have someone else do it. I ll have more confidence in the finished product that way as well. ( Im a lot of things, but a good mechanic aint one of them)

Best advise: ask around at your local Jeep club, get recommendations on mechanics and shops. Talk to the mechanics themselves, not the girl at the counter and let them know what your wanting out of it, They can give you a good idea of what will be involved and what you need to get it to where you want it.

EDIT: That total cost includes checking, cleaning and changing fluids in the drivetrain( trans-TC- diff's) and a possible clutch replacement

 

[Matt1981CJ7]

10 years ago I rebuilt my 360, and kept a detailed list of all my expenses. I did the disassembly and reassembly. I bought all the parts. I paid for a 30 over bore/hone, valve job, and rotating assemble balancing. I did do a few upgrades that added to the costs.

All total, I was a little over $5K. That was in the Denver area. I found that machining costs vary wildly, depending on where you live. Denver is generally higher for services than other areas of the country.

Matt

 

[Mister4x4]

AMC 'anything' is going to run more than Chevy, Ford, Mopar (cheapest beginning in that order), and the scarcity of parts will be similar.

I pulled my 304 from a donor vehicle purported to have been stored 'correctly,' and when I inspected the oil and hand-turned the engine (with compression tests), everything checked out, so I began the process of cleaning things up and 'hoping for the best' when I finally turn the key (keepin' 'em crossed). If not, I'll pull the engine and take it to a local machine shop for a refresh, which at the time will involve swapping the cam, pistons, and everything that goes with that - which won't be cheap.

Meanwhile, since I've converting from 258 I-6 to 304 V8, I'm in the process of making it all fit together, taking my time to get it right the first time, so even if I have to pull the engine, everything will already be in-place and it'll be fairly easy to do. I'm also upgrading several things along the way to boost performance and improve the Jeep's overall functionality as a vehicle (Edelbrock Pro Flo MPFI, Scorpion roller rockers, Patriot Clippster shorty headers, NostalgicAir aftermarket HVAC, H4 Headlight relay kit, Lokar shifter/kick-down cables, etc.). I technically haven't even rebuilt my engine, but I'm already well over $6K just in those things.

Just like with anything vehicle related, major things are expensive. In this economy, you can bet that it won't be cheap.

 

[Greaser007]

I dang-near purchased a 401 two years ago as a refurb / replacement for my '77 cj-7 Renegade with the 304.

All of the info mentioned above is right on for cost logistics.

I am able to disassemble and reassemble my engines, so I pay for balancing, machining, cam brg install, etc..

I would feel comfortable figuring $1,500 machine shop services, and maybe more.
Supposedly, a shop with a baking oven to clean the block, works better than a hot-tank, according to a local machinist.

Parts costs will vary depending on where you purchase.
Pre-Internet days, I ordered all my engine kits from "Northernautoparts", because they sell all the good stuff.
I have not had very good luck with Comp cams, but have had very good luck with Crane cams and valvetrain parts.

Most pro shops will charge near $5k for an engine removal and re-install just for labor. That also depends.
For a reman engine online, my guess is you'll pay from $3,500 up to $5,000 for an engine.

 

[tchimmerroks]

Hey guys live in massachusetts and am looking at what it might cost to rebuild the 304 in my 79 cj 5. On the south shore.

Thanks

I know it's not apples-to-apples, but a local (sideline, his full-time job is automotive teacher at the local high school) mechanic experienced in engine rebuilding just quoted me $3,600.00 to rebuild a Ford 5.4L 2v engine. I'll supply him with refurbished cylinder heads (I think they are $860.00/pair), new oil pump and timing set, and he is going to supply the overhaul kit and cover any machine shop work on the bottom end (obviously reassemble the engine). He's just giving me back the fresh engine, (I'm putting it back in the truck).

 

[Jack Burton]

I mean if I knew of a voc school around here that would do it , I would absolutely do that. But they sound rare these days.

 

[jeep_boy02]

I wouldn't trust a VT school with an AMC.

I'm also considering a refresh on mine and want to do cam and proflo... but the proflo alone is 3200-3600 so after it's all said and done its really hard to justify it versus an LS considering costs will be around the same and will end up with more power most likely, better drivablility, better economy, and diagnosis capabilities.

buying too many parts for too many Jeeps

 

[Mister4x4]

Actually, the Pro Flo 4 (Edelbrock) is running ~$2400-ish. Add the EFI Sump Kit (for a returnless system), and you're right at about $3K.

I think it would have to depend largely on the teacher if I'd be willing to go the vocational school/HS Auto Shop route. That, and good luck finding them, as it seems a LOT of those programs have gone away over time. I don't even know if my high school still has those programs, TBH.

 

[tchimmerroks]

I mean if I knew of a voc school around here that would do it , I would absolutely do that. But they sound rare these days.

Just to clarify, the guy happens to teach automotive shop, but he is doing the project on his own at his home shop (not involving the students). Also, I forgot,he will be overhauling my front/rear axles as part of the $3,600.00 quote (for just the engine overhaul he would charge $3,200.00). I'm going to supply all the parts for the front/rear ends.

 

[Mister4x4]

I think jeep_boy02 meant he'd have concerns 'dropping it off at the vocational school/HS Auto Shop and letting the class do it,' rather than the teacher/mechanic doing it 'on the side,' as you mentioned.

 

[JeepCJ]

Just to clarify, the guy happens to teach automotive shop, but he is doing the project on his own at his home shop (not involving the students). Also, I forgot,he will be overhauling my front/rear axles as part of the $3,600.00 quote (for just the engine overhaul he would charge $3,200.00). I'm going to supply all the parts for the front/rear ends.

This is not a bad deal since he covers machining. The axles getting new seals and bearings is also a lot of shaft removal and press work. He will probably just put all new stuff in the axles using the same old shim thicknesses but even still thats a lot of work.

 

[WalleyeMagic]

Just to clarify, the guy happens to teach automotive shop, but he is doing the project on his own at his home shop (not involving the students). Also, I forgot,he will be overhauling my front/rear axles as part of the $3,600.00 quote (for just the engine overhaul he would charge $3,200.00). I'm going to supply all the parts for the front/rear ends.

The part where he is doing the work is how I read it originally.

 

[jeep_boy02]

I think jeep_boy02 meant he'd have concerns 'dropping it off at the vocational school/HS Auto Shop and letting the class do it,' rather than the teacher/mechanic doing it 'on the side,' as you mentioned.

Yeah you're correct. I was in auto body in HS which was next door to auto mechanics. Learned a lot but the work was all subpar and I would be ashamed to turn out that kinda work nowadays.

AMCs ain't your SBC that anyone can learn on.



buying too many parts for too many Jeeps

 

[JeepCJ]

Jealous of your situation even though its gonna cost a lot of $$$. I have a perfect running 258 that HAS TO GO this coming winter. Need that V8 AMC sound and have yet to find a 360 locally.

 

[Jack Burton]

I had an 89 wrangler with the 258, sold it and bought this 79 cj5 with the 304 because I wanted that v8 sound.