Cost to replace valve guide seals?
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 51
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From: Gadsden AL
Cost to replace valve guide seals?
Can anyone give me a rough idea of how much it will cost me to have the valve guide seals replaced on my 86? I have the smoking on startup problem and am not mechanically inclined enough to do this myself. Thanks for any input!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Re: Cost to replace valve guide seals? (joe ciechanowski)
$600 + tax?!!?!? MAN! Whoever would pay $600 to have VALVE SEALS replaced...well..you sir, don't deserve to own a corvette. Literally valve seals are SIMPLE! Any mechanic who knows anything shouldn't charge more than $150 (and THAT is even ALOT of $) I'm debating whether or not to put on new seals and do the springs while I'm at it...or just wait and get new heads...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,872
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From: Wilmington NC
Re: Cost to replace valve guide seals? (joe ciechanowski)
agreed that is entirely too much money unless they were planning on removing the heads and included monay for new heads gaskets and other gaskets involved in removal and replacing.. but you can replace valve spring your self with an air compressor, over head valve spring compressor, and a small press. the seals are 18 bucks at your local autoparts store, and voila you are finito!! best of luck!
Chris
:smash:
Chris
:smash:
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 873
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From: Dallas Texas tx
Re: Cost to replace valve guide seals? (joe ciechanowski)
I just had my Roller Rockers, pushrods, guideplates, seals, and Locks replaced on my car to the upgrade 1.6's. I was too lazy to do it... YEP I was quoted by two places at $600 :eek: . I was about to get the wrench out, but I found a speed shop for $250 and that included added the fuel injectors and painting the valve covers !.. some Grease monkeys see a vette and it's like a sailor seeing a sexy hooker on weekend leave... here comes the boner :lol:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,546
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From: Orlando FL
Re: Cost to replace valve guide seals? (goodson)
$600?!?! dont get ripped.. I'm about to get rebuilt heads for my car at a place called "National Cylinder Head Exchange" here in Orlando.. It is going to cost me $170 bucks.. Yup.. thats it..All i have to do is install them.. They are redone with all factory parts. ie. lifters springs an vg seals.. I also asked how much extra it would cost if i wanted to change the lift and put some performance lifters in.. Guess what?! They did not give me a definite price, but they said it would def. go down because they would no longer have to supply the new springs an lifters.. That would be my job.. Anyway.. If this sounds like something you might be interested in, email me an i get you some phone numbers.. :)
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
Re: Cost to replace valve guide seals? (TIMSPEED)
....well, you sir, don't deserve to own a corvette. Any mechanic who knows anything shouldn't charge more than $150
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From: dfw TX
Moderatrix
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Re: Cost to replace valve guide seals? (goodson)
Good question, I'm getting ready to do this too. I figured about $300, but if it's less even better! My normal mechanic charged me $300 (labor) for the pushrods, valve springs, lifters, caps and shims. Is this a quicker job?
Goodson, I'll call around and let you know what my mechanic and a few who've been recommended say.
My husband IS mechanically inclined but he hates working on the corvettes. I sent him the description that Lee sent me of how to do it and I have not heard anything :(
Goodson, I'll call around and let you know what my mechanic and a few who've been recommended say.
My husband IS mechanically inclined but he hates working on the corvettes. I sent him the description that Lee sent me of how to do it and I have not heard anything :(
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Cost to replace valve guide seals? (goodson)
Lets see, you have to pull the spark plugs, serpentine, valve covers (and whatever else is in the way), rocker arms, springs and such. Then hook up the air to each cylinder, remove the keepers, oil shedders , retainers and springs. Then you replace upper and lower seals and install and adjust the rocker arms. Finally replace valve covers with new FelPro gaskets and whatever else was removed for access (like the EGR tube).
Since Scrop says valve covers on an '87 aren't as much of a challenge as on an '88 I would guess 3-4hrs at $65/hr plus upper & lower seals and gaskets. How does $300-$400 sound as a fair price for parts & labor. Though I've done mine I wouldn't do someone elses for that price either.
As was mentioned "it ain't rocket science" but is labor intensive.
Since Scrop says valve covers on an '87 aren't as much of a challenge as on an '88 I would guess 3-4hrs at $65/hr plus upper & lower seals and gaskets. How does $300-$400 sound as a fair price for parts & labor. Though I've done mine I wouldn't do someone elses for that price either.
As was mentioned "it ain't rocket science" but is labor intensive.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Boston, MA
Since Scrop says valve covers on an '87 aren't as much of a challenge as on an '88 ....
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: (scorp508)
Scorp I gotta agree there.
I finally got the technique with a pair of pliers (for the "good side").:smash:
Unfortunately it's now too late to enlarge the holes a little on the "bad" side.:(
BTW, how's the reassembly comming; I'm about to take a trip "into the valley" this afternoon (the siamesed base is READY).
[Modified by 65Z01, 10:53 AM 4/24/2002]
I finally got the technique with a pair of pliers (for the "good side").:smash:
Unfortunately it's now too late to enlarge the holes a little on the "bad" side.:(
BTW, how's the reassembly comming; I'm about to take a trip "into the valley" this afternoon (the siamesed base is READY).
[Modified by 65Z01, 10:53 AM 4/24/2002]
