Wondering, can you still buy, let's say a 400 rebuilt shortblock? I have good heads.

Asking for me

I'd want to know that the guy is conscientious/meticulous. then you can add your choice of appropriate heads/intake/cam/carb/ign & know that your core foundation (the short block) is solid.

Years ago there were some industrial motors floating around the area that were all new on skids and never ran...
Don't know if there's anything like that floating around up your way...

Sure can. Just ask at your local auto parts store

I've checked with Advance, some MoPar engines are, but no 400's or 440's

Are there any Mopar heads there locally that you are comfortable (competent/trusting) with?

I'm just searching out my options. The reman folks are cheaper, even w/shipping, etc.. than all my locals for the most part.

PAW always had several to choose from but I dont think they are even in business anymore. You take stuff for granted but time slips away

I understand a lot of our engines are 30,40, 50 yrs old but , GEEZ the lack of rebuilders is alarming.

Doing my little search, I saw prices range from $3K to $14K+ and that's using your engine,

Wow.

I had a hard time trying to find a machine shop locally 16 yrs ago. Now that I can't even find cotter pins locally, I don't think it's gotten any better. And the crazy part (to me) is that http://samtech.edu/ is located in Houston. Where are the graduates going? They sure aren't staying here in Houston.

IMO as an engine rebuilder. The engine rebuilding trade of the 21st c. is now on the same path as the blacksmith trade of the 19th c.. With the advent of computer controlled engine management systems the modern engine is capable of 300,000+ km. without need of repair. The main income of an automotive machine shop was (is) jobber shop (Joe's garage) type engine repair. With the average engine now lasting 15+ yrs, the complexity of multi cam multi valve vvt type engines and the insurance companies writing off a higher percentage of low mile vehicles thereby creating a supply of low mileage parts, there is not enough demand to support the investment needed to equip and maintain a proliferation of modern machine shops. Another current trend that has spelled the end of the machine shop is that there is a very small percentage of the last couple of generations becoming involved with the automotive hobby or trade.

Randy

I build them for myself and friends. Good cores are tougher to come buy now for big blocks. Lots are choosing to either build a stroker small block or switch to a 3G hemi. If you have a decent core and are building a mildly hopped up street engine it is not hard to build one yourself. Despite what some will tell you, it isn't necessary to spend $1500 on just block machine work to build a nice running street engine and have fun with it. Yes, factory tolerances can be improved upon, but lots of engines ran a lot of miles with factory parts for decades.

Check this shop out! Some fast MOPARS had machine work done there!

http://tedsenginemachineservice.com/

Exactly.

The volume rebuilders are all but gone.

For several years I would routinely get fliers for auctions where some big rebuilder had closed its doors and the machinery and inventory was being auctioned off.

Actually, I’d get them for the not so big machine shops too.

It would be interesting to know just how many US based shops closed their doors in the last 10-15 years....... especially in a year by year type of list.

Might want to check out Jasper Engines, for rebuilt units.
I know they are still in business.
When i was wrenching for a living, my employer bought from them, on a regular basis.