Need an estimate for engine work . . .

[Donnie]

Well, given that seats run around $10 each (don't forget shipping!), that's $80 just in those parts, not including the added cost if it needs any guides, valves or springs replaced. At an average of $90-120/hr labor, you can do the math. It would cost me around $100 to do the work by myself, for myself, with no billable labor. If you know someone willing to do the entire job for $100 and do it well, please give me their number! They're working for peanuts. But beware - as the old saying goes, if you pay peanuts, you only hire monkeys.

It is almost always cheaper to buy a reconditioned head than to have yours reconditioned. Remember that those rebuilders are doing them in bulk, thus getting a bulk discount on the parts and not having to change the setup on their machines from head to head. Setup time on a mill is billable time.

That Pontiac head was tanked, fluxed, skimmed, and completely disassembled for inspection. I think one of the valves had to be relapped, but the head had only minor damage, mostly pitting from the coolant leaks. In this area, the $345 charge was lower than average for that work. My rebuilder's rate is $65/hr, very reasonable for a specialist.

Mech

If U R paying $10 per seat U are getting hosed. They are available,,good quality, for much less.............also, bronze thin wall guide liners work well and are inexpensive.

[grant]

Thanks for the many enlightening responses so far. Unfortunately, I was not able to get by the shop today as I couldn't get back in town before they closed. I plan on trying to stop by tommorrow to get all the information.

I did not get a quote in writing. Obviously, my mistake, but we had talked about it and we discussed a range but he said (truthfully I believe) he could not give an exact price until he knew exactly what would be needed on the engine. I knew he had a very busy shop and I was in no hurry when I took it there in the beginning of the summer because I knew I wouldn't begin to have any time to reinstall it until this winter, so I certainly didn't put any rush on it. Anyway, when I called and stopped by a few times (usually every 3-4 weeks) he showed me the engine block and told me it was actually in very good shape and he didn't even recommend new bearings, pistons or rings. He sent the head out but he never indicated there was any problem with that at all either. In short, he has never given any indication that there were any unforeseen issues with the head or block. Now, I delivered the engine to him with no anillaries but completely intact. Based on my discussions with him and with previous machine shops before I settled on him, I was anticipating paying roughly somewhere between $400-700 for all the work. I was told by my relative who saw the engine and the bill that the total charge is a little over $1,500 with about $500 of that for just the head work. If that's the case, I just don't think that is within the realm of reasonableness for the work done. By the way, his hourly shop rate is $60. Even with the high end estimates discussed in this thread, it doesn't sound like the total charge shouldn't have exceeded $1000.

You know, shops are going out of business all the time and yet they still seem baffled why people won't just rebuild their high-mileage engines on their everyday cars instead of buying a newer vehicle. Merry #$@&!-ing Christmas to me!

I'll keep you all updated. Thanks.

[SafeAirOne]

No disrespect to your relatives, but I might just wait to find out what the bill is from the actual shop before I start worrying.

[meatblanket]

FYI, many states have a motor vehicle repair act that requires that a mechanic provide an estimate and obtain authorization before performing the work.

This protects the mechanic and the consumer, and was designed to eliminate the exact position that you find yourself in-- wondering how much you might owe.

In my state, and probably yours as well, you are not required to pay any more than the dollar amount that you authorized.

I'm not sure how that would apply in a case where you brought them an engine instead of a car, however......

[gambrinus]

$1500??

Tell the shop to enjoy their freshly rebuilt engine.

Go get another lump.

Call a different machine shop

Get quote in writing...

lesson learned.


RW

[Tim Smith]

$1500??

Tell the shop to enjoy their freshly rebuilt engine.

Go get another lump.

Call a different machine shop

Get quote in writing...

lesson learned.


RW

But now he's in a predicament. Where is he going to find another motor (all fixed up mind you) for $1500?

Grant, if you do go that route and the shop is close to me, let me know and I'll pick up the motor for $1500.

[SafeAirOne]

Grant, you must have had time to go by the shop by now...the impression I got by your last post is that you only had preliminary information. What did you find out in the end?