RJ - I am also looking to rebuild my 258, and have done some research on the whole project financially. Along the lines of machine work, if I were you, start asking around to see if you know anyone who has access to a machine shop and has some experience with engine work. You could save yourself some money, and not have to worry so much about whether they did a good job on your newly machined engine. But, if you were to strip everything down yourself, take a machine shop your block and have them bore it oh maybe say.....30 over, you would probably drop about a $100 depending on where you live. And, for the 258 engine, I have a few catalogs that sell AMC engine rebuild kits and the deluxe kit is just shy of $600. After you get the kit, and depending on how fast you want your engine rebuilt is up to you. If you are not in a big hurry, and you have another mode of transportation, I would suggest getting an engine stand and doing the rebuild for yourself. Oh yeah - depending on your tool collection, I would throw in another &400-500 for extra parts, tools, and supplies to get the engine peiced together. All in all, if you wanted a brand new 258 engine with nice performance parts, my research along this line has brought me up to about &1,300 - &1,400. I can't answer the transmission question yet because that's what I'm working on right now. :0 Cullen '76 258 manual -----Original Message----- From: rjstrong [mailto:rjstrong@xxxx] Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 5:39 AM To: gremlintime@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [gremlintime] what do i do all right gang got some questions and need some help ive been listening to the debate on here for some time now about keep it amc or some thing else i have also heard people say keep it original insted of turning a 6 to an 8 well what to do i now need to decide because my 258 is on its last leg and needs some help i knew it was weak when i baught but i really wanted the gremlin so i got it anyway so here are my questions 1.can i make a 258 scream and how if any one out there can tell me so i can have the machine shop build it that would be cool and roughly what would that cost i reallize prices may very but just so i have an idea 2.what would be a guess on how much a basic rebuild would cost and i can add 4 barrel and exhaust and air in take system my self i know how much that stuff costs 3.a v8 304 360 401 is there any others that are amc so when asking around i know what to look for 4. what would be recamended for a transmission with any of those or even for the 258 since mine isnt the best or can i use the auto thats in there if i have it rebuilt 5.and then the rear end in mine is good but is it good for a v8 or a screaming 258 6. with out any one gripping and moaning since i was a chevy man befor i ever got my gremlin i do have a couple sbcs (just keeping my options open)what are some things i would need to know about installing one them cutting? welding? new what ? i dont really want to cut nothing or change a whole lot to the integrity of the vehicle but like i said just checking my options if any one can help thanks and if these questions sound kinda dumb deal with me i can do about any thing to a chevy but amc is some what new to me so iam doing my home work befor i make any hasty desicions it may end up that i have to take my time at this and save up some cash but that would be ok for me its all about the gremlin but i do want to stay some what economical because iam not made of cash here (altough the wife thinks so lol) thanks guys and keep those gremlins going rj 74 auto 258 soon to be a ??????????? --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.317 / Virus Database: 176 - Release Date: 1/21/2002 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Community email addresses: Post message: gremlintime@xxxxxxxxxxx Subscribe: gremlintime-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxx Unsubscribe: gremlintime-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxx List owner: gremlintime-owner@xxxxxxxxxxx Shortcut URL to this page: http://www.onelist.com/community/gremlintime Gremlintime(Home of the AMC Gremlin on the WWW): http://www.geocities.com/gremlintime Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/