rebuilt engine for 79 beetle

I want to buy an older beetle and found one that is in descent condition but needs a new motor. How much is a rebuilt 1600cc engine and does anyone have any recommendations for the san diego area?
thanks carey

There's a few routes you can take.

Serrano's has brand new Turnkey 1600's for under $2g. MY friends have had good dealings with him recently. I had a great engine built years ago by his shop. I do my own now.

He's out of Torrance. Not sure about the san diego area. You could try craigslist, but lord knows what you'd end up with.

Check out the classifieds at thesamba.com there's loads of stuff. I've seen a few rebuilts for a couple hundred.

Hope that helps some.

I second Seranos for a good new engine, but it will take a drive up the coast to pick it up, unless you want to pay shipping.

If you don't want to spring for a brand new or rebuilt. You might try http://www.interstateusedparts.com/. They have a bunch of good used engines for sale.

You might also give www.jbugs.com (http://www.jbugs.com) (Oceanside) a call. Gary can tell you where to get a good rebuilt in the SD area.

Thanks so much for the replies! One other question, if I would go and pick up the engine in Torrance, who can I trust to install it down here? Any thoughts?

Carey