fair price for head replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: crystal lake Il.
fair price for head replacement
I`ve got a 75 L-48. I got a set of dart heads-complete-the engine has had headers & anw intake within 6 months, so no rusted bolts to contend with. I have all parts needed. What`s a fair price for installation? I got 2 prices today and was shocked!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
I'd do it for $50 in my driveway...or you can do it yourself. It's not tough and only takes a couple hours. Make sure you sure you have a torque wrench and know the torque sequence and values of all the bolts (found in any Haynes, etc) and you can't hardly go wrong...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by painterman52
I`ve got a 75 L-48. I got a set of dart heads-complete-the engine has had headers & anw intake within 6 months, so no rusted bolts to contend with. I have all parts needed. What`s a fair price for installation? I got 2 prices today and was shocked!
lets start with labor hours....2-3 taking everything off, swap 2 hrs, putting everything back on and adjusting valves 4 hours....so they are probably trying to hit you up for 8-10 hrs for labor? times $70 plus $200 for parts/fluids i'd guess $1000 to $1200 smackeroonies....
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
It's a big job, you think a couple of hours but the times above ar more like it for me anyway, I like to make sure I don't have any bolts left over and no crap gets it's way into the open engine, a problem you could have if you hurry a job like this, realistically forget a couple of hours I would put aside a weekend to do it, some might laugh but my motor usually runs after, so $1000 is not out of line
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
I would take the time and do it myself. It is not a small job and will take some time but it is not that difficult. Get a Haynes manual (for torque spec's and sequence) and a torque wrench and do it yourself. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Looks like are you learning the hard way. Changing items piece by piece gets expensive. Labor, gaskets, fluids, etc are repeated over again. I suggest that you make as many mods at one time as you think you need. Changing heads is quite involved and takes time. I would guess 4 to 8 hours to do. If you are planning on a cam change or touching the bottom end, now would be the time.
I am changing the complete engine in my 76. I was only going to do a cam/head swap but the more I thought about it the more sense it made to do everything at once and get it over with. The downside is I started buying parts (air cleaner to the oil pan) 2 years ago versus having it done right away.
I am changing the complete engine in my 76. I was only going to do a cam/head swap but the more I thought about it the more sense it made to do everything at once and get it over with. The downside is I started buying parts (air cleaner to the oil pan) 2 years ago versus having it done right away.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: crystal lake Il.
I`m definetly learning the hard way. headers first. 3 months later cam intake carb. 3 weeks later rearend. then front end rebuild. I really like the car. It runs great I just want a bit more oooph. I hope these heads do it. I think I will do it myself. Only worry is valve adjustment. I was told there is no adjustment with hydraulic lifters.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by painterman52
I`m definetly learning the hard way. headers first. 3 months later cam intake carb. 3 weeks later rearend. then front end rebuild. I really like the car. It runs great I just want a bit more oooph. I hope these heads do it. I think I will do it myself. Only worry is valve adjustment. I was told there is no adjustment with hydraulic lifters.
don't be scared to piece meal workout to a shop.....i do most if not all of my own work...however on this project i needed to compress time and i had two local shops help me out....talk to them many places are receptive to lending a helping hand....and if not find another shop....just use them for other repairs on your other cars and build a rapport with them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by painterman52
I was told there is no adjustment with hydraulic lifters.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Do it yourself - no shop will spend more time on your car than absolutely necessary ... they just want to get the job done ....and of course they want your money...
Label all the parts you remove so everything you want to re-install goes back to where it belongs.... if you need help during the re-assembly ask questions here on this forum...
Label all the parts you remove so everything you want to re-install goes back to where it belongs.... if you need help during the re-assembly ask questions here on this forum...