Need Opinion ASAP...

[toneybarber]

On average, what SHOULD it cost me to have my engine taken down to the heads and then put back together, NOT including the cost of gaskets, bolts, replacement of plugs and wires, etc? This is a labor estimate only.

On a seperate question, what is the normal cost of scanning the heads for cracks?

 

[marragtop]

I'd say about 4-5 hrs labor. Depending on the rate, about $350-400.

 

[Maniak]

I can do mine in < 11 hours. I don't know what book time is but I'm sure it must be less than 11 hours.

To check for cracks, they should be magnafluxed and pressure tested (I had one head that cracked where you couldn't see it when fluxed but the pressure test showed it was bad).

~Mark

EDIT: I should have said I can remove the heads and put everything back together in under 11 hours.

 

[toneybarber]

Thanks, marragtop. Any thoughts on the cost of having the heads tested?

 

[toneybarber]

Maniak, 11 hours seems kind of high. Would you think that a fair estimate for an experienced mechanic?

 

[toneybarber]

BTW, anyone know if the "Book" is accessible anywhere?

 

[Maniak]

Using air tools etc would speed things up. I think I pulled the heads last time in about 3 hours (using air tools).. I don't know how long it took me to put it back together since I didn't do it alone (I was teaching someone the explorer). I do know the First time I did it it was 11 hours which is why I say it better be under 11 hours.

If you extrapolate from my 3 hour take apart I'd say about 7 hours total, maybe less to take it apart and put it back together. It takes a little longer to put things back together becuase you need to torque things down to specs and then you have the joyus 85 degree turn when torqing(sp?) the heads down.

As for the cost of the testing of the heads I paid < $100 for testing of my heads. One was pressure tested and the other was pressure tested and fluxed. One head was found bad during the flux so it wasn't pressure tested like the other was.

I hope that helps..

~Mark

 

[toneybarber]

Thanks a million, Maniak. This is very helpful and insightful information.