Major Repair?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Major Repair?
I just took my 88 corvette into the shop last week because it was spitting coolant all over the place. Originally, the shop thought this was caused by a broken lower intake manifold gasket. Unfortunatley, I got a call this morning saying that that gasket was not the problem and it was primarily caused by a break in the back left bank of the cylinder head. (I hope I got that verbage correct.) Either way, he quoted this work at 11 hours and $1300. If I weren't getting ready to close on a house this Friday, I may consider having the work done, but I really can't afford to pay that right now.
Does $1300 or 11 hours of work sound like it would be in the ball park to fix at a shop? What all is involved if I ever decide to tackle this fix in the future?
Thanks for your input.
Does $1300 or 11 hours of work sound like it would be in the ball park to fix at a shop? What all is involved if I ever decide to tackle this fix in the future?
Thanks for your input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 2
From: seattle WA
well, it sounds a little pricey but if they're including a new head(if that's what it is, and I'd want to see it) it may not be outa line. Helps to know what state or city your in.I'd also like to know if the drivers side would be refurbished or included.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 17,101
Likes: 5
From: No more yankee my wankee, the Donger is tired!
I just took my 88 corvette into the shop last week because it was spitting coolant all over the place. Originally, the shop thought this was caused by a broken lower intake manifold gasket. Unfortunatley, I got a call this morning saying that that gasket was not the problem and it was primarily caused by a break in the back left bank of the cylinder head. (I hope I got that verbage correct.) Either way, he quoted this work at 11 hours and $1300. If I weren't getting ready to close on a house this Friday, I may consider having the work done, but I really can't afford to pay that right now.
Does $1300 or 11 hours of work sound like it would be in the ball park to fix at a shop? What all is involved if I ever decide to tackle this fix in the future?
Thanks for your input.
Does $1300 or 11 hours of work sound like it would be in the ball park to fix at a shop? What all is involved if I ever decide to tackle this fix in the future?
Thanks for your input.
Considering what all needs to be done as far as removal, clean up, prep. It's in the ballpark. Pulling heads is not a fun chore on a L98 or LT1 car. If you have the tools and the space, do it yourself.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 163
From: Davis CA
What do you mean by spitting coolant? Could you see it coming out? If it really is a cracked head, ask what they plan to replace it with? With a new head and the markup you would pay, the price doesn't sound that bad to me.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,382
Likes: 2
From: Kathleen FL
Time for a nice heads/cam combo! I would DIY as there are a lot of shops in general that rip off us Corvette owners. Its just a small block Chevy with an EFI intake. No more, no less. Just a wiring harness and a few more things...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 936
Likes: 2
From: Tyrone PA
I just took my 88 corvette into the shop last week because it was spitting coolant all over the place. Originally, the shop thought this was caused by a broken lower intake manifold gasket. Unfortunatley, I got a call this morning saying that that gasket was not the problem and it was primarily caused by a break in the back left bank of the cylinder head. (I hope I got that verbage correct.) Either way, he quoted this work at 11 hours and $1300. If I weren't getting ready to close on a house this Friday, I may consider having the work done, but I really can't afford to pay that right now.
Does $1300 or 11 hours of work sound like it would be in the ball park to fix at a shop? What all is involved if I ever decide to tackle this fix in the future?
Thanks for your input.
Does $1300 or 11 hours of work sound like it would be in the ball park to fix at a shop? What all is involved if I ever decide to tackle this fix in the future?
Thanks for your input.
I would really highly doubt you have a cracked or broken cylinder head. If it is a head gasket, then I would think about $800. My brother's firebird got new head gaskets by a local mechanic, it was $650 for labor and gaskets and all.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 18
From: Raleigh, NC
Where are you located? If you're nearby I'll check out the head for you.
It sounds kinda odd that a head would crack and externally leak coolant, but it is possible.
I don't think $1300 is out of line, but only if that includes most/all the parts. If that's just labor, that puts them at over $100 and hour, and that's just a tad high for labor rate. Our shop charges $70 an hour for labor, and there's a shade tree guy up the road who only charges $40.
It sounds kinda odd that a head would crack and externally leak coolant, but it is possible.
I don't think $1300 is out of line, but only if that includes most/all the parts. If that's just labor, that puts them at over $100 and hour, and that's just a tad high for labor rate. Our shop charges $70 an hour for labor, and there's a shade tree guy up the road who only charges $40.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
Did this problem suddely happen? Was there evidence of a leak in the last few weeks?
My advice is going to be different from the other posts!
1. Get another opinion on the problem from another competant mechanic.
2. Examine the water connections (2) on the throttle body coolant lines. A leak in this area will run toward the back of the engine and appear to coming from this area.
3. Make sure the intake bolts are tight. I have found coolant leaks on SBC engines and the intake bolts were loose. Guess how I fixed the problem
4. It is not normal for a head to suddenly crack and this is probably not your problem.
Do some more leg work before you get out the folding $$$
My advice is going to be different from the other posts!
1. Get another opinion on the problem from another competant mechanic.
2. Examine the water connections (2) on the throttle body coolant lines. A leak in this area will run toward the back of the engine and appear to coming from this area.
3. Make sure the intake bolts are tight. I have found coolant leaks on SBC engines and the intake bolts were loose. Guess how I fixed the problem
4. It is not normal for a head to suddenly crack and this is probably not your problem.
Do some more leg work before you get out the folding $$$
