Engine Rebuild Cost Saving Tips: Rebuilding an Engine on a Budget

Engine Rebuild Cost Saving Tips

One of the big reasons to rebuild an engine is that, if done right, it can be significantly less expensive than purchasing a new one. If your budget is particularly tight, you’ll be looking to save every penny you can. Following these engine rebuild cost saving tips below will help your dollar go further when you’re working to get your favorite ride back on the road.

Do your research

When you have a limited budget, you can’t afford to throw away money on parts that don’t fit your engine or to make a mistake mid-rebuild. Make sure to do as much research as possible before beginning. Find out your engine’s model, year, displacement, etc. and determine what parts will match. Get an engine building manual as specific as possible to your engine with detailed instructions. And wait to order parts until you’re absolutely certain what you need.

Only replace what needs to be replaced

Why would you replace your block if it’s still in good enough shape to outlast the rest of the engine? If you’re on a budget, well-functioning is as good as new. You should still replace all bearing, seals, gaskets and piston rings as insurance against future failures. But if your deck is still straight, or if your cylinders only need to be honed, then roll with them. (You can also sell or scrap old parts to offset costs.)

Look for used engine parts

There are plenty of used-but-still-good engine parts available from vehicles that were taken off the road for other reasons. Check local junkyards, Craigslist, eBay and other second-hand sellers for these used parts. The seller is admittedly less likely to stand behind these parts with a warranty, so you’ll want to do your homework and inspect the parts for yourself before purchasing.

Prepare parts before bringing them to a shop

If you do need your cylinder heads bored or your deck milled, you may have to bring them to a machine shop. But you can still save money by preparing your parts beforehand. Disassembling and degreasing the engine core yourself is a lot cheaper than paying $75-100/hour for someone else to do it. (And it should go without saying, but make sure to pick a reputable shop that does fast, high-quality work.)

Not sure if you should rebuild your engine? Read more about rebuilding or buying new here: Rebuilding an Engine: What to Consider Before You Begin.