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Author Topic: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads  (Read 7914 times)

Offline MarkS

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How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« on: October 26, 2009, 02:56:44 pm »
1987 350 TBI. I'm buying the rebuilt heads and gasket set. What's a reasonable time to make this repair? One shop told me $1200 for the complete job with parts but I can buy the heads and gaskets for about $350. Seems kinda high?
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2009, 04:21:53 pm »
12.6 hours

12.6 x $90 = $1134
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Offline fitz

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2009, 10:29:23 pm »
 What caused your heads to go? If your keeping the truck it may be worth looking into a rebuilt or crate motor. Some extra money now could save you some aggravation down the road.
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Offline team39763

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2009, 10:39:45 pm »
A while back a shop in Killeen quoted me $600 to swap the heads, but that was if everything went smoothly(no stripped threads or broken bolts).
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Offline MarkS

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2009, 07:36:43 am »
The valve seals (and maybe guides) are bad... blue smoke on start-up. The truck is suposed to be a 35K original truck. I have title docs confirming this but everyday I wonder if it's true.

Maybe I should try this job myself? I haven't taken on a major engine repair before but I can follow instructions well. What does everybody think about a novice doing this job?
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2009, 08:17:32 am »
Go for it. A great learning experience and you've got help here.
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Offline fitz

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2009, 03:34:47 pm »
 The mileage could be right. Even back in The late 80's many of the TBI/TPI motors put out a little smoke on start up. I don't know if it had anything to due with GM switching over to the center bolt valve cover heads but I've seen a bunch of them with that problem. My 88 Jimmy that I bought in 91 did it, it never caused any problems like fouling plugs or anything, just a little annoying smoke.
 If the motor runs good otherwise, I would leave it alone.
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Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #7 on: October 28, 2009, 02:50:40 am »
when i worked for autozone i would see what shops paid for parts yeah you maybe able to buy them for 350 they will probably get them for 275 then charge you 550 for them then put labor on top of that. I'm with vile do it your self its an easy job just remember how to put everything back together thats the hard part or at least for me  ::)
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Offline SUX2BU99

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2009, 02:42:40 pm »
The good ole SBC "puff o' blue". I remember in high school in the early 90's it was a badge of honor to have a SBC-powered vehicle that DIDN'T puff on startup. It was quite the insult to think your truck didn't and then have a buddy say "I think I saw a puff when you started it up"  lol   Why did they do that so much back then? And what did they do to fix it, if anything? It was always said the valve guides were worn and let hot oil dribble in to the cylinder. It was worse when the motor was warmed up and shut off then when it was cold.
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #9 on: October 30, 2009, 05:06:34 pm »
O-ring valve seals instead of umbrellas. Positive seals do a better job of preventing the puff.
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Offline MarkS

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #10 on: October 30, 2009, 05:51:27 pm »
Are you saying that the old chevy heads had different seals? I had a 2006 f-150 (glad it's gone) and my wife has a 2007 expedition and both puffed a little smoke occationaly (both very low miles). Not always on cold start like my chevy but smoke none the less. The dealer said it was fine.
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Offline joesgarage71

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #11 on: October 30, 2009, 08:17:18 pm »
Quote from: VileZambonie on October 26, 2009, 04:21:53 pm
12.6 hours

12.6 x $90 = $1134
Wow labor guide said that much?
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #12 on: October 30, 2009, 08:36:33 pm »
Cylinder Head Gasket
   Replace
      One Side B 0.0 7.1   
            Includes: Remove Carbon And Make Necessary Adjustments. 
 
      Both Sides B 0.0 10.4   
            Includes: Remove Carbon And Make Necessary Adjustments. 
 
      Note
         With AC, Add B 0.4 0.7   
                Includes: Remove Carbon And Make Necessary Adjustments. 
 
         With A.I.R., Add
            Right Bank B 0.3 0.5   
                    Includes: Remove Carbon And Make Necessary Adjustments. 
 
            Left Bank B 0.2 0.4   
                    Includes: Remove Carbon And Make Necessary Adjustments. 
 
            Both Banks B 0.4 0.7   
                    Includes: Remove Carbon And Make Necessary Adjustments. 
 
         With PS, Add B 0.2 0.4   
                Includes: Remove Carbon And Make Necessary Adjustments. 
 
         With Cruise Control, Add B 0.1 0.2   
                Includes: Remove Carbon And Make Necessary Adjustments. 
 
 



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Offline Jim Rockford

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #13 on: November 05, 2009, 01:31:31 pm »
If you take a set of TBI heads off, throw them in the dumpster, they are not worth putting any money in and reinstalling.
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Offline MarkS

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Re: How many hrs should an average shop charge for replacing the heads
« Reply #14 on: November 06, 2009, 07:45:06 am »
What do you suggest?
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