Anti-Wrench Having Shop Do Rebuild - Help?

[Amanda]

Emotionally, I'd like to bring the car in tomorrow to have a rebuild done. Realistically, I'm still learning as much as I can about the process as well as seeking a shop to do the rebuild. The details:

The car is a 1982 SC with a 3.0 engine, mileage unknown (yeah, I know), basically stock.
Three broken head studs. All the lower Dilavar ones. Each on a different cylinder head. P&C condition unknown.
No weird engine sounds indication rod knock or anything like that (according to a wrench). But who knows?
The P.O. had the 915 tranny rebuilt.
The car is for street-use only.
I would be interested in street-friendly upgrades (e.g. JE pistions, etc.), but it depends on costs and current engine condition.
And while price is important, a HIGH-QUALITY rebuild by a shop that is accountable, stands by their work, and is patient with a non-wrench like myself is a priority. I'm willing to drive a good distance and risk getting stranded to get to a really good shop.

I'd rather do this sooner than later. I'm concerned about those head studs and doing (more?) damage with continued driving. Plus, I'm really anxious to get on the car and really enjoy it!

Anyway, that's where I'm at. I'm going through Wayne's rebuild book trying to learn as much as I can before going forward. I'm open to any advice. Or just encouragement. btw - I'm in the Bay Area. If anyone knows of a great rebuild shop they'd like to mention, by all means... Thanks!

[gerard vaglio]

Do a search under Tom Amon.

It's an option you should be aware of. Very competitive price, unmatched attention to detail.

Looking forward to reading other comments.

[SC Schrauber]

Tom Amon:

[porschenut]

Just don't send it to Motormeister.

[Don Plumley]

Welcome to the board.

Where in the Bay Area are you - there are a number of very good shops (and a long list of not-so-good shops) around.

And another vote for Tom Amon.

[vash]

i bet tom amon would be the best. but i am only guessing, since i have never been quoted a rebuild price. he shows up, takes the motor away, and then brings it back for the install.

where exactly in the bay area are you? i imagine tom would have a difficult time, if you live in the tenderloin, in san fran. well, anywhere you only have street parking. pushing the roller around to avoid street cleaning would suck. if it were me, i would drop it myself and take the motor to LA, to a henry guy.

[Amanda]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Woodside. I'm interested in doing a top-end rebuild and of course replacing head studs. Beyond that will depend on the condition of the other stuff. Are these guys willing to work w/me on options?

Here's the short list, but I'm not sure about $$$.

Jerry Woods
S-Car-Go Racing
Tom Amon
The Stable
Euro Trends

[Don Plumley]

Jerry Woods is legendary - race caliber stuff. Ditto with S-Car-Go, though they are up in San Rafael, have a focus on the newer cars but are very capable. I've already voted for Tom, unless you don't want any of the work done at your home.

[Amanda]

Service @ home would be great! OK, so beyond a "standard" top-end rebuild on a 3.0, what are some of the common upgrades and costs (assuming I stay with CIS). I'm reading up on this stuff, but I'd like to know what upgrade(s) others have found to be very worthwhile, cost-effective, fun, etc. "while I'm in there." Keep in mind this is primarily a street car. Thanks.

[craigster59]

Take the class with Jerry Woods and Bruce Anderson, do it yourself and save tons of money. I know you can do it. They are easy engines to work on (with the help of this board of course), and the security of driving a car that you know you can repair is a very comforting feeling.

[Amanda]

Time is the limiting factor (I'd like to drive my car sometime this year ), otherwise I definitely would do it. But I'm interested in the class. Do you know where I can get more info?

[Early_S_Man]

Bruce's web site:

http://www.911handbook.com/

[craigster59]

I've taken the class. It's a great tool even if you're not going to do it yourself. You can take it and do it , or take it and know when someone is not doing it right. That's the beauty, you'll have the knowledge.

[Amanda]

I just looked at Bruce's site. Of course, I'm out of town the week of his engine class, and I'll get back too late for the tune up class on May 27th. I am going through Wayne's rebuild book.

So, as far as 3.0 upgrades (SSI, cams, JE pistons, etc.), any suggestions on where my $$ might be best spent? If anyone can throw out ballpark costs, too, that would be great.

[rlh930]

Jerry Woods is top quality. Here is a picture of the engine they are doing for me, which is representative of their work.



For a full rebuild, done right, you are looking at around $3K in parts if you don't replace the P&C's, $6K if you do. Add $1-2K in machine work, and 40-50 hours labor. You are easily into the $10-12K range. You could go to 3.2 CIS P&C's as a "street friendly" upgrade, but most of the other things you could do will require replacing the CIS and make it difficult to register the car.

Have reasonable expectations about warranty. Even the larger shops are small businesses and are not in a position to give you the 50K/5yr warranty you get on a GM crate motor. If they screw up they will make it right but if you screw up (over-rev, under-oil) you're most likely on your own.

[Amanda]

rlh930, that's beautiful. Heard nothing but good things about Jerry Woods.

Well, took the car out for a bit this A.M., broken head studs and all. Man, I just wanted to drive it all day! But I need a little discretion, right? No more until the top end :P

I'm sure the rebuild will restore lost power, but I think I want to take it a notch up. Nothing too elaborate, but if I'm willing to put more $$ into it, any suggestions?

[Eagledriver]

Amanda,

There is really not much you can do for more power without getting rid of your CIS. You can go with bigger cylinders but that is 3k or more for maybe 15 HP. Your pistons and cylinders are likely fine and you'll save alot of money keeping them. You can put on an early exhaust for 20 HP or so but lose smog legality. These cars have plenty of power and they will not be competitive with newer sports cars power without 10K dollars worth of mods. Be happy with what you have and get the headstuds fixed is my advice.

-Andy

[Amanda]

Andy, thanks for the reply. I'm sure I'll be more than happy once the top end is done and head studs are replaced. Just thought I'd ask. Yeah, based on those numbers, definitely not cost effective to go beyond that at this point.