Question.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GMCjunkie · 10-15-2002, 03:22 PM

Im waiting on a guy to call me back with an estimate on some work I need done on my Burb, and was wondering what y'all would consider a "fair" price and down time. Any and all opinions and guesstimates are appreciated.

My truck is a 71 GMC Burb, 4X4, 350/350, Rochester Quadrajet, and also have aftermarket AMA a/c set up...

I need to have the engine pulled and have a COMPLETE gasket change (engine resealed), Rebuild and tune the carb, and set the timming.

Sooo whatcha think???

Smooth68 · 10-15-2002, 03:26 PM

1 week and $500 - 600

dubie · 10-15-2002, 03:53 PM

I would say 7-10 days for sure. But when you say rebuild, do you want the cranck pulled and have the cylinders honed and crosshatched? or do you just want a rebuild kit. The kit would include a set of piston rings and all the seal and gaskets to seal up the engine. If you go with the rebuild kit, then you down time will be about 7 days and a cost of 500-800 bucks. That's my best estimate, but i'm not some screw ball garage owner .

good luck with the quotes Jodie

my new 72 · 10-15-2002, 03:56 PM

Well, it is a little tricky. A week at the most is what it should take down time. As far as actual work time , it will take a little more than a total of 10-12 hours, if it includes head gaskets, and is done properly. What is the hourly labor rate for mechanics around there?? Here it is between $100-125 per hour for auto mechanics, and $60-100 per hour for motorcycle mechanics. I think $500-600 would be a little low, and I would really question myself as to whether I would want them to do the job for that. There may be a reason that they would be that cheap, you know. Good gaskets are not cheap either, and make a big difference. I would have to say look atleast at paying $1000 total for parts and labor.

jmil1974 · 10-15-2002, 03:56 PM

Those estimates sound about right to me, and I live in TX. Just remember the old matrix: good, cheap, fast -- pick TWO.

**COBALT** · 10-15-2002, 04:16 PM

Do you have blown head gaskets and leaking oil like crazy? or are you just leaking some oil? In other words why the complete gasket change? I would consider rebuilding the engine with all that you're planning to do.

I have oil leaks with my 350, so I've been resealing it as I go. Finished the intake and rebuilt the carburetor. Head gaskets are ok, so I won't be pulling the engine until I have a different one to drop in. All I have left is the oil pan, rear main seal, and fuel pump to reseal, and the engine is still in the truck. Of course the transmission is coming out to reseal it, and that's what will make getting to the oil pan easy, but I suppose if you have to replace head gaskets, well...

You might consider having the torque converter inspected too, and the front main seal on the tranny replaced as a matter of course. Fluid replacement, and new filter. That should be cheap with the tranny exposed....just a thought.

GMCjunkie · 10-15-2002, 04:29 PM

No thanks to supposed "mechanics" who cared nothing about anything except the money I was paying them, my truck leaks from virtually every fricken seam, I just had the enine rebuilt about 30,000 miles ago and know that the machine shop did their part, its the rest of the rebuild that I got taken on. I have a pretty long journey to take in December with my daughter, and my truck needs to be in excellent running condition.
Still waiting on the quote, ill let y'all know when I get it,
thanks again.

TERRYP · 10-15-2002, 05:19 PM

I think the writer of this post wanted to rebuild the carb, not the engine.
I see no reason to pull the engine to seal it. You might want to jack it up to pull the pan, but all other gaskets are just as easily changed while the engine is in the truck. Can't see paying any more than $50 plus the kit to rebuild your carb (why not do it yourself, it's fun!). If you do not have a head gasket leak, or an intake manifold leak, you should be able to change the rear seal, pan, timing and water pump, fuel pump and valve cover gaskets in a day at most if you are an amateur.

*Randy70C-10* · 10-15-2002, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GMCjunkie
I need to have the engine pulled and have a COMPLETE gasket change (engine resealed), Rebuild and tune the carb, and set the timming.

Sooo whatcha think???

Maximum Overdrive · 10-15-2002, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by my new 72
What is the hourly labor rate for mechanics around there?? Here it is between $100-125 per hour for auto mechanics, and $60-100 per hour for motorcycle mechanics.

Damn and I thought the labor at $60 an hour was bad here!

Blue_71 · 10-15-2002, 05:56 PM

i thought the $35-50 here was a bad price!! thats why i learned to do it

i dont think it should take over a day, two at most on the gaskets.

weasel29gm · 10-15-2002, 06:10 PM

Whatever the price don't let the guy say you need this or that etc. And get it in writing!!!!!!!!! I would say around 400.00 tops.

Longhorn Man · 10-15-2002, 11:52 PM

Jodie...throw in a couple cans or orange paint, you KNOW you wanna...

10-15-2002, 03:22 PM	#1
GMCjunkie Dude...I'm a CHICK Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lakeland Georgia Posts: 6,192	Question.... Im waiting on a guy to call me back with an estimate on some work I need done on my Burb, and was wondering what y'all would consider a "fair" price and down time. Any and all opinions and guesstimates are appreciated. My truck is a 71 GMC Burb, 4X4, 350/350, Rochester Quadrajet, and also have aftermarket AMA a/c set up... I need to have the engine pulled and have a COMPLETE gasket change (engine resealed), Rebuild and tune the carb, and set the timming. Sooo whatcha think??? __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4

10-15-2002, 03:26 PM	#2
Smooth68 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: West Fork, Arkansas - Razorback Country Posts: 1,826	1 week and $500 - 600 __________________ Smooth68's Web Site WTB 64-66 project or frame/cab, SWB or LWB...I have the fever! Whatcha got?? '68 Short Step - Shaved Body, Soon Bagged - *SOLD* Driver-2004 GMC Z-71 Ext-cab

10-15-2002, 03:53 PM	#3
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,855	I would say 7-10 days for sure. But when you say rebuild, do you want the cranck pulled and have the cylinders honed and crosshatched? or do you just want a rebuild kit. The kit would include a set of piston rings and all the seal and gaskets to seal up the engine. If you go with the rebuild kit, then you down time will be about 7 days and a cost of 500-800 bucks. That's my best estimate, but i'm not some screw ball garage owner . good luck with the quotes Jodie __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

10-15-2002, 03:56 PM	#4
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	Well, it is a little tricky. A week at the most is what it should take down time. As far as actual work time , it will take a little more than a total of 10-12 hours, if it includes head gaskets, and is done properly. What is the hourly labor rate for mechanics around there?? Here it is between $100-125 per hour for auto mechanics, and $60-100 per hour for motorcycle mechanics. I think $500-600 would be a little low, and I would really question myself as to whether I would want them to do the job for that. There may be a reason that they would be that cheap, you know. Good gaskets are not cheap either, and make a big difference. I would have to say look atleast at paying $1000 total for parts and labor. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

10-15-2002, 03:56 PM	#5
jmil1974 Ain't we cute? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Friendswood, TX Posts: 700	Those estimates sound about right to me, and I live in TX. Just remember the old matrix: good, cheap, fast -- pick TWO. __________________ 69 C10 2WD LWB Fleet 350/350 power front disc conversion (6 lug disc kit from gmcpauls) and new engine, PS, A/C, fresh fluids, SHE DRIVES! FOR SALE $3900

10-15-2002, 04:16 PM	#6
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Do you have blown head gaskets and leaking oil like crazy? or are you just leaking some oil? In other words why the complete gasket change? I would consider rebuilding the engine with all that you're planning to do. I have oil leaks with my 350, so I've been resealing it as I go. Finished the intake and rebuilt the carburetor. Head gaskets are ok, so I won't be pulling the engine until I have a different one to drop in. All I have left is the oil pan, rear main seal, and fuel pump to reseal, and the engine is still in the truck. Of course the transmission is coming out to reseal it, and that's what will make getting to the oil pan easy, but I suppose if you have to replace head gaskets, well... You might consider having the torque converter inspected too, and the front main seal on the tranny replaced as a matter of course. Fluid replacement, and new filter. That should be cheap with the tranny exposed....just a thought. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

10-15-2002, 04:29 PM	#7
GMCjunkie Dude...I'm a CHICK Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lakeland Georgia Posts: 6,192	No thanks to supposed "mechanics" who cared nothing about anything except the money I was paying them, my truck leaks from virtually every fricken seam, I just had the enine rebuilt about 30,000 miles ago and know that the machine shop did their part, its the rest of the rebuild that I got taken on. I have a pretty long journey to take in December with my daughter, and my truck needs to be in excellent running condition. Still waiting on the quote, ill let y'all know when I get it, thanks again. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4

10-15-2002, 05:19 PM	#8
TERRYP GYRO GEARLOOSE Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Nevada City, CAEverett, WA Posts: 361	I think the writer of this post wanted to rebuild the carb, not the engine. I see no reason to pull the engine to seal it. You might want to jack it up to pull the pan, but all other gaskets are just as easily changed while the engine is in the truck. Can't see paying any more than $50 plus the kit to rebuild your carb (why not do it yourself, it's fun!). If you do not have a head gasket leak, or an intake manifold leak, you should be able to change the rear seal, pan, timing and water pump, fuel pump and valve cover gaskets in a day at most if you are an amateur. __________________ Nevada City, CA Everett, Washington 57 3/4 rat, 235, 3spd 66 C-10 Panel, SWB. 350 from '68, 200R4 tranny, 3.07 rear ratio, restoring 68 C10 LWB 350 4spd, 4.56 rear dump runner 82 Camaro, 305, THM-200-R4 84 Monte Carlo 305 TH350, land tuna 85 Tercel SW, snow runner DISGRACED OUTLAW MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB

10-15-2002, 06:10 PM	#12
weasel29gm SLOW BUT SURE,BUT CLOSER Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: eleanor wv usa Posts: 3,093	Whatever the price don't let the guy say you need this or that etc. And get it in writing!!!!!!!!! I would say around 400.00 tops. __________________ 69 C-10, OWNED 35YRS... 350 over 30, 350 Turbo, 3:73 Posi P/S, P/B Black with red and black int. ''LOVE THESE OLD ''TRUCKS.......

10-15-2002, 11:52 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Jodie...throw in a couple cans or orange paint, you KNOW you wanna... Attached Images

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