ok so the other day, not sure how, i blew both head gaskets(i have water residue gunk on both valve covers so i belive thats head gaskets correct) and somethin in my bottom end broke. rod, pistion, not sure yet havent torn it open yet but somethin is broken. you can hear it knockin around. what am i lookin at here? whats the best route to take? should i rebuild the whole block(i never delt with anything down below before so i would have to learn) or should i just find a short block with pistions and rods and bearings and all. what would you do and what am i lookin at as far as $$? i know noone can be sure till i can be more specific with the damage but more than likely what am i lookin at?

 

i've always found it to be cheaper to do it yourself. but if u need it done fast buying a new bottom end may be easier

 

Agreed! I would just start pricing bottom ends, I hate being in the "what will happen next" mind set. And with a stock rebuilt after carnage bottom you will be!

 

schwanke engines has good prices on short blocks.

 

ok well i have never delt with anything like this before. i have the know how to pull the engine and disassemble it no problem, but as far as working with pistons and rods and bearings, i'm a little lost. can someone do me a favor and break down some estimated expenses for me? for example: will my block need to be machined? whats the going rate for that? price for pistons, rods, bearings...will i need any specialty tools? or is there something that i'm going to HAVE to pay a specialist to do? if someone can help me break this down so i have an idea financially what i'm looking at with a rebuild

 

Go to a website like summit racing or maybe one of the sponsors to get an idea on short block parts prices.

Machine work is different at most shops, find some in your area and call to get an idea.

Sometimes, its cheaper to buy a new short block, put your heads/cam/intake and put it in (if your installing it yourself) than it is to rebuild what you have.