30 replies to this topic

[Cooperman]

If the OP is doing the final assembly then the price is about right.

 

I just got some machining done, and I get a trade price, which included a re-bore +0.020", a flywheel lightened, fitted valve seat inserts and a valve seat cut, a crank micro-polish, a full dynamic balance, the block deck skimmed and the head skimmed, the valve seats machined down to get the correct fitted length and a full chemical clean. Total cost was just on £1000 which I think is reasonable. Parts for the full engine build were around £800 which included a new and better cam, new valves, oil pump, clutch, in fact everything new or reconditioned properly.

 

GuessWorks did the box (lovely job, John) and I don't know what he charged for the super job he did.

 

With the gas-flowing of the head, the trial builds, the painting of the block and other parts, accurate cam timing, plus the complete assembly including carb and distributor re-build total labour hours were just over 40.

 

If the OP is not doing the assembly, then it is right to ask what sort of job he will be getting for the quoted price.

[grizzler73]

Not sure anybody gave any information, just that it seems a very good price for what the OP was after. I hope it does come up trumps. Not sure what my location has to do with my view on the cost of engine building, I can get work done anywhere, what with the Internet and that...

[grizzler73]

Not sure anybody gave any information, just that it seems a very good price for what the OP was after. I hope it does come up trumps. Not sure what my location has to do with my view on the cost of engine building, I can get work done anywhere, what with the Internet and that...

[beardylondon]

OK, thanks for all the replies, I have since phoned them back for a full breakdown, as follows:

 

Rebored to +20, +40 or +60 (whichever I want)

Nural Cooper S pistons

Block decked

Heavy duty bearings

Everything chemically cleaned

Head flowed, new unleaded seats

New larger 35.6mm inlet valves

New exhaust valves same size

Camshaft with new followers

New oil pump

New clutch

steel duplex timing chain

Recon gearbox and strap, new bearings, new bulk rings for synchromesh

Head and block painted

 

The original price does not include it being balanced, but he said there is a local guy to them who is one of the best, that costs £160 extra, making it £2360, plus the cost for me to get it there an back.

 

I will not be doing assembly myself, this is for a fully rebuilt engine.

Edited by beardylondon, 06 September 2017 - 04:15 PM.

[Jukesr]

Good stuff..

I would defo recommend pal... Go for it

[NuFab]

I also had an engine built by Bromsgrove Engine Services, and it was spot on. I think it came to £1800 but that was back in 2005... I supplied the cam and they built the rest, and tuned it in their engine dyno. Top work and great to deal with.

[beardylondon]

Thanks NuFab, good to know, they sound like proper genuine engineers, who are not just in it for the money, which explains the reasonable prices.

 

I also had an engine built by Bromsgrove Engine Services, and it was spot on. I think it came to £1800 but that was back in 2005... I supplied the cam and they built the rest, and tuned it in their engine dyno. Top work and great to deal with.

[Allrounder]

That does seem like a crazy deal. Wonder what kind of warranty/guarantees come with the build.

Didn't see a centre oil pickup pipe for the gearbox on the list which I'd suggest is a must on any fast road build.

[RooBoonix]

+1 on a centre oil pickup, simple and cheap add-on well worthwhile

[Northernpower]

Looks like an unbelievable deal, if you've got good very recent feedback you'll have to give it a go.

[beardylondon]

Thank all again, good tip!

 

and also I missed off that they will regrind the crank!

[beardylondon]

Hi All,

 

So the engine is finally coming back this week, I will report on the build at a later date.

 

I would like some advice on putting it all back together.

 

The A+ has been bored to 1293, and I will use my 1.75" HIF44 carb which is in serviceable condition, will just change the gaskets in it. Already have a 1 year old Maniflow LCB, stainless steel Playmini exhaust

 

My question is the cooling system, I am going purchase the following

 

Minispares 4 core rad, with drain plug

15lb Cap (seems to be the one?)

82 degree thermostat

Obviously all new pipes all new water pump

 

Just wondered if that is the right cooling set up for this engine?

 

thanks.

[cal844]

The proposed coolant setup will suit the engine well, especially if you have hills everywhere

[Stu1961]

Bromsgrove Engines did all the machining on mine. +0.020" rebore, decked block, reworked head, bigger inlets, centre strap, crank re grind and a few other bits and pieces on top of that charged me £700 about 4 years ago. Put it back together myself SW5 cam, duplex, turbo clutch (brand new Unipart item for Metro a tenner on eBay)  , rebuilt HIF44, probably spent about £2500 in all add to that £400 for the box again rebuilt by me. Halesowen Engines did the cam bearings and valve guides.     

[beardylondon]

UPDATE: So the engine went in the summer and after 500 miles, albeit with niggles, all is well thus far.

 

Bromsgrove were good, not the fastest in the world, but I feel like a got a good deal considering what others charge for the set up I have.  My only gripe is they machined the engine number plate off leaving the screws in the holes. If I had known, I would put a slot in them and tried to remove them both and kept the plate, which got destroyed, so I had to order a new one, and superglue it to the block.

 

The final bill was £2465, as I added two extra studs to the head, and the centre oil pick up as suggested on here.

 

I will report back when I've got more miles on it and had it on a rolling road at around 1000 miles.