95Torch

After flushing my radiator, replacing my thermostat and checking the fans, my 95 still had overheating problems. I then took my car into a shop for further diagnosis. They informed me that I have a blown head gasket and the repair cost would be $2,300.00 (ouch!) Is this a fair price? I was also going to get a second opinion at another local shop that specializes in Corvettes.

lead foot 85 vet

I was quoted $800 by my local speed shop........ended up pulling the engine because of a cracked cylinder wall but thats another story......try someone else.

Morley

$150 for gaskets, sealers and such. $10 for a Machinists straight edge (to check heads for true) $5 for oil filter, $20 for Mobile 1 oil (5 qts), $5 for a gallon of antifreeze, 1 weekend alone with the car.... I don't pay anyone to do anything I can do myself..even if I have to learn how to do it.

gbody5

$2300 is nuts. go somewhere else.

AORoads

Yeah, if you think about it, that's about $200 worth of parts,mentioned by one poster.

Usually, like turning brake rotors even if they don't seem to need it, most techs will true the heads, cya. So, add another $100???.

Now, you're up at $300. Figure a high of $85/hr. labor. I don't know what the labor book says, but even if it was 4 hours, that's another $340.

Assume a 25% "off factor" and add to the $640, $160. That brings you to......$800!

Anything around there should include a breakdown. Anything way above MUST have a breakdown.

Experts: tell me if I'm way off, plz.

BTW, 95, I'd put your question in the TEch or General section of C4, not that guys here don't know, but you may even get some suggestions on where to go in Houston, if you don't already know.

tjwong

Going by the flat rate manual to do both headgaskets on a LT1 Y body is 13.5 hours at a given $85/hr shop rate that equals $1147.50

Two headgaskets at retail: $80
Intake gasket set: $35.00
Two exh manifold gaskets: $40

Most shops charge enviromental fees and shop supplies fees, for a job like this its probably another $25

If you have headers, thats another adder

So far I total $1327.50, that is still a far cry from $2300! If that job had come into my shop I would give the person a $1400 estimate. That would not include resurfacing the heads which would cost about $150 extra to do. Dealer shop rates around my area vary from $95 to $110/hr, even at those rates it still doesn't add up to $2300. And if you are only going to do one head then you can deduct about 4.5 hours from the job and the appropriate parts.

Red Tornado

i was just going to quote approx $1300 total, and then tjwong spelled it all out perfectly. i agree 100% with approx $1300. The $2300 is thoroughly outrageous highway robbery. going to another shop "who specializes in corvettes" imho is simply ripping yourself off (there's nothing particularly secret about a 350 sbc!)......go to another small shop with a mechanic who simply does solid work with a good reputation --- you'll get to that $1300 figure by doing this.

AORoads

So I was spot on, and right with my $800 figure?

Whew, I almost got that one wrong. Thanks guys for confirming my estimate.

(I'm home now, soaking my head in the toilet.... )


[thanks tj and bradv, 4 hours??? what was I thinking?? or not...]

95Torch

Thanks for all of your input...I am definitely going to try another shop this week. I thought that may have seemed kinda high. I had been using a small shop for about the last 10 - 12 years, however they recently closed their doors. So far I've had hard time finding a replacement for them.

hippy

You have an overheating problem. Did your coolant turn brown like mud? Is you exhaust white? Just curious if you truly have a head gasket problem. How hot is hot, are you in the red on the temp gauge.

SunCr

Agree with above, you might want to verify the problem first or have the shop give you the full details. Also, depending on your mileage, your old Heads might need more than just resurfacing. If the shop's estimate includes the cost to completely rebuild them, I don't think they're that far off - the last time I asked at NAPA, they wanted $400/head for a basic rebuild (so I bought new instead). So, if a shop quoted me $1400 plus whatever the heads needed, I wouldn't be shocked to see a total bill somewhat north of 2 grand. Also, if your heads need a lot of work, consider new, I'm guessing about a 1/3 more than a typical rebuild (I know you have an LT4, but my GM performance parts 113's were a grand vs. $800 for the Napa rebuild).

okies93

but don't forget about the corvette tax....