S55 Gas engine rebuild cost

FarmerBlair · Jul 29, 2014

Hi,
I took my Super 55 (gas) tractor in to the local repair shop to be split to replace leaking seals. The engine does smoke quite a bit, but has good oil pressure. Since the engine would be split anyway, the shop mechanic suggested going through the engine and to do it right... including rings, valve job, etc. Estimate of cost was $4000. I said what about just doing the rings, and he said the cost would be half that.
I can't afford that right now, but cost (for either option) seems pretty high anyway. I was thinking a complete rebuild would be more like $2000 maximum. Am I way off base?
Thanks!

rrlund · Jul 29, 2014

A piston and sleeve set is $320.25.Bearings will probably run you around $60. Use your own judgment on how much he's soaking you for labor. Just seems kind of foolish to me to spend $4000 on a $3500 tractor.

Gambles · Jul 29, 2014

One of the biggest costs for an overhaul is machine work. I have a local machine shop that is so clean you could probably eat off the floor. But lately, their prices have gone through the roof. A couple of years ago, I took a cylinder head in to have it magnafluxed. They charged me over $50 to tell me that I had a cracked head. A couple of months ago, I priced a valve grind for my Ford V6. He printed up a sheet that said the price for an automotive V6 was $190. When I picked up the heads, I got hit with a bill that was over $500. The parts that they had put into the heads were spring shims and new valve guides. They told me the $190 price was for a SINGLE head. Time to start looking for a new machinist.

Thompson Mike · Jul 29, 2014

my 2 cents.. you will save some money doing it while he has it apart. if it is smoking and has good oil pressure it should need rings for sure and probably a valve job RR is right about the overall price however when you look at what a newer tractor costs and how nice a super 55 works it helps to justify spending some money on an old friend.

Row Crop · Jul 30, 2014

I re-rung my Super 55, and replaced the rod and main bearings myself. Cost: less then $350.00. I"m not a mechanic, I"m a farmer. It"s not rocket science. I got my ridge reamer, cylinder hone, ring compressor, etc, at Sears. It was fun!

Anonymous-0 · Jul 30, 2014

Earlier this summer I had a 200 CI ford six rebuilt by Austin Jordan's (616-247-9960)in Grand Rapids. His general rebuild was quoted at$1800.00. New cam, new oil pump, new valves and he did it in 24 hours. I ended up with more due to a none repairable head and I up graded the cam to a bit lumpier one for a total of $2,100.00. At some point I too will be taking my super 55 engine to him. Very pleased. I must say the time it took shocked me. He quoted me a week.

SW3 · Jul 30, 2014

Just finishing up on my 550. Full engine rebuild. Engine parts from Korves Oliver were approx. $650. Local machine shop did the head, installed new pistons and sleeves, ground crank and cam .010, and assembled that much of the motor. Cost $1171. That brings parts and labor to around $1800 for everything.
I bought lots of other stuff for this rebuild/restore, so total cost will be around $2500.

Good Luck

Tramway Guy · Jul 30, 2014

Smoking could also be the valve stems/guides. What does a compression test read?

FarmerBlair · Jul 30, 2014

Good question on the compression... I was going to ask the shop to do a compression test; or maybe they did and just didn't tell me the results. I'll inquire. Thanks

FarmerBlair · Jul 30, 2014

That's closer to what I was thinking it would cost! Except in my quote, the shop would be handling the entire breakdown and assembly. So might expect it to be a bit more expensive.

S55 Gas engine rebuild cost

FarmerBlair

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rrlund

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Gambles

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Thompson Mike

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Row Crop

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Anonymous-0

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SW3

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Tramway Guy

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FarmerBlair

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FarmerBlair

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