My engine builder was building me a motor using a bbc bow tie block for $10,000 he said it would be around 650 hp. Then I asked him if we could use a Merlin block and he said that would be a extra $3,000 with all the machine work on the block. Dose that sound right?
Thanks

Sounds a little high. You need to post more about your build. Bore stroke. What's amateur with the bowtie block? That power is fine. I would buy a dart nicer casting.

Bow tie block should be worth about 800 to sell it.

I may be able to get some better prices for you idk how far you are with your build.

i like the dart big m block.imo it is the best of the blocks mentioned.

He was taking about doing a 510 CI. With his bowtie block and a 589 CI. With the Dart block. He says I am not using junk in your motor you need to trust me. And said it took 5 weeks just to get the hydraulic roller lifters he wanted to use. I gave him $5,000 down.

i thought you said 3000 more for merlin block.now i am confused.

hydraulic roller lifters that's just me. And the five weeks to get them even makes it worse.

I really didnt like my merlin block i have, used a dart big m when i upgraded. Paid 1850 for my merlin block and another 1000 in machine work so 3000 is about right, that was 10 years ago. The only thing i wonder about the 3000$ hes telling you is i would assume you were already paying for some machine work which in that case the price is a little high.

Sounds to me like he's using used parts laying around to build your original motor and the Merlin block would have to be purchased new. Myself I like the newer Merlin blocks. The earlier Merlin blocks had some issues with machining but the new stuff is on point. With that said the Merlin Block are about $800 more than a Dart block and the Dart Block is just as good so why spend the extra money? Myself I would not use a set of lifters in a motor that takes 5 weeks to get unless I bought the lifters in bulk and kept them on the shelf. What happens if there is a failure? What happens if I build a new motor and one set of lifters doesn't pump up? Then your gonna wait another 5 weeks to get a set of lifters? I could be the best part in the world but if it's not available then what good is it? To me it doesn't sound like your builder has much common sense.

I can see this headed to the ( Beware ) section.................good luck, Id get a list of all the parts he's gonna use and drop in ( if its close ) and look at the short block before the pan and heads go on.