So, I guess it is time to try and put this together.

I want to see how many members would be interested, seriously, in a top hat block. If you are not in the market and just curious, please do not sign up.

Once I have at least 4 serious inquiries I will approach both companies here in CA for a group buy.

PM me with your email address and zip code and I will also look in to the shipping costs.

 

Just talked to the manager at Q and E. He says he could do $50 off on 4 or more blocks. They need a block with front and rear bearing end caps to do the work. The deck, hone and install the liners. They also install the cam bearing!

I asked if he wanted to buy core blocks and he said he would give me $75 a block.

So, I guess the question now is how much does it cost to ship a block?

I'll report back on what LA Sleeve says.

 

LA sleeve: $115 a sleeve

$2300 installed to a block.

Lets go with Q and E.

 

i'm most likely going to be in, i've been talking to Vance via email over at Q&E, just flipped you what he quoted me. I'm getting clarification on his comment regarding the core charge since he advised they don't have any in stock.

Shipping to the east cost wasnt as bad as I expected at 90 bucks

Chris

 

Who is Q&E. I've not heard of them. Otherwise I'd be in for gb on cannibal's blocks or engines

NM...found them online. So can I get a few testimonials?

 

So, Cannibal's are $3k for a bare top hat block and Q&E's are $1,450 with Abran's discount.
That's quite a difference in pricing.
Are both of those prices with a core?
And what is required as far as the core, do they take cracked cores and weld them up or only take good cores that don't need welding?
and if they only give $75 for a core how much would they add to the price if you didn't send them a core?
If they are all out of blocks I guess they would have to have a core?

 

They charge a $350 core charge, $75 is what they will pay me for surplus cores. Not sure about the core condition, cracked block vs. Slipped liner.

I mentioned 4 as a group buy and that's when he said $1450, but maybe with further negotiating we could get it to $1400.

 

I was also wondering about one more thing....If someone sent in a core with a slipped liner but no crack, would they get back the same block that hasn't had any welding?

Don't let me waste your time cause no way I can get one of these until after x-mas. New $4k septic system, new $1.5k cooktop, and $3k for metal roofing I have to put on a building has me choked out right now. Everything always seems to happen at once...

 

I hear you on the "everything breaking at once" deal.

I want to know as well, so I will follow up with them, I am thinking a face to face to just to make sure all details are hammered out.

 

I might be inline also after the Holiday. Just depends when this is going to happen. wondering if we need to supply the pistons for a final hone.