How much would it cost to rebuild an engine/trans?

[Matt Brandsema]

So, I have an old car that isn’t doing anything and I am pretty mechanically inclined, I would love to rebuild the engine and transmission as a project. It would be pretty much all for learning experience.

So my question is, generally how much would it cost to rebuild the engine and transmission. The car in question is a 1998 Chevy Cavalier, 2.2L 4cyl OHV engine 3 speed automatic (mechanically controlled) trans. The engine runs fine but it has some oil pressure problems (indicative of a rebuild needed!). I know for both the engine and transmission you can buy “Rebuild Kits” that have all the parts normally replaced in a rebuild. But this doesn’t factor in the machine shop work I would probably have to get done to it.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Topic

[Lord Ihcalam]

depends on the shop used and their hourly rate and what needs to be replaced. i didnt look up your specific engine, but a rebuild for a 4.3 v6 was going to run a friend of mine 1300.00-1600.00 for a basic tear down, replace the rings bearings and that (no pistons or rods) and oil pump while adding a good gasket kit to it and replacing valve seals too. the machine shop was going to plane the heads and hone the cylinder walls. not bore them out just make them even and smooth as possible again. the price quoted was with dipping the block and checking heads for cracks too. he decided to scrap the old engine because he found a used one on craigslist for 800.00 that had less than 60k on it.

[Charles]

I would go to a u-pull-it type salvage yard and pick out a compatible engine and transmission, it is all a guess but you can get a replacement warranty if you like. Take the engine and transmission home, work on each at your leisure and if you have good results, replace the ones in your car. You will have the advantage of being able to have a running car while you rebuild the engine and transmission. Great experience with little risk.

[EricTheCarGuy]

To do a proper rebuild would cost way more than that car is worth. It’s a lot more involved if you want to do it properly. For that reason I would recommend that you find a salvage replacement OR purchase an engine and trans that have already been rebuilt. Also, given that you haven’t done this work before means there is a high risk of failure. I’d hate to have you go through all that only to find that you forgot to do a key thing and as a result you either have an engine and trans that does’t run or you damage it permanently.

[Erin]

hmm, IIRC, that thing has a 125-C trans.
problem with rebuilding a trans if you have never done one – it is REAL easy to mess something up and have no way of knowing what just happened –
Like say you are taking apart the valve body incorrectly and the check balls fall all over the floor. Where do those go? That and trying to fit the gaskets etc… You can compare the old gaskets to the new, IF the old ones come off in one piece. Sometimes they tear up so bad that the neighborhood vandalist would be proud.
That and trying to rebuild the clutch packs is a pain if you don’t have the proper tools.

If you try to tackle the trans, just make real sure to do your homework first. Then go back and re-do your homework.

OH and finally – the converter clutch solenoid on the trans needs replaced – it is bad. That is why some cavaliers drive OK but stall out at lights (as if not disengaging the clutch on a manual)if you were driving faster than say 35.

[Lord Ihcalam]

take pictures of your entire disassemble part too. that way you can refer to them as you put it back together.

[Author]

Replies