to all real mechanics and shop owners
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to all real mechanics and shop owners
ok guys i got a question for the real pros in here, not wanabees *cough* *cough* like my self *cough* lol . ok i need to change my heads and every single shop i talked to tells me that to change the heads is like 11-15 hours. That doesn't seem right to me, i ask one of the guys if that time was taking out the engine, and he told me that was only for the heads, and quoted me like 1k for the job according to the computer. I already asked on here and was told by most people around $500 for the job but i just wanted the pros in here to tell me just what computer this local guys are looking at or what are they smoking over here in south florida.
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We normally charge $600 to R&R heads on the car. It is a good 8 hours of labor when done right. We scrape all of the carbon off the pistons, and clean every single bolt hole before reinstallation.
- Matt
- Matt
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Originally Posted by TTPMatt
We normally charge $600 to R&R heads on the car. It is a good 8 hours of labor when done right. We scrape all of the carbon off the pistons, and clean every single bolt hole before reinstallation.
- Matt
- Matt
#4
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Cleaning the bolt holes is the most boring process.
I have heads of guys doing it in 3 hours, but thats BS, unless you just fly through it and torque the bolts to whatever you arm tell's you is good.
Matt is probally right on, normally a 7-9 hour job if you dont get a lot of people distracting you.
I have heads of guys doing it in 3 hours, but thats BS, unless you just fly through it and torque the bolts to whatever you arm tell's you is good.
Matt is probally right on, normally a 7-9 hour job if you dont get a lot of people distracting you.
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Originally Posted by JZ'sTA
Cleaning the bolt holes is the most boring process.
I have heads of guys doing it in 3 hours, but thats BS, unless you just fly through it and torque the bolts to whatever you arm tell's you is good.
Matt is probally right on, normally a 7-9 hour job if you dont get a lot of people distracting you.
I have heads of guys doing it in 3 hours, but thats BS, unless you just fly through it and torque the bolts to whatever you arm tell's you is good.
Matt is probally right on, normally a 7-9 hour job if you dont get a lot of people distracting you.
if i were a paying customer i'd spent a bit more on labor that was done right and thorough then save a couple of bucks and have potential problems and have to go back and fix the work that should of been done right in the first place.
i dont remember off hand how long it took me to install my heads.
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Have them do studs while they are at it . . . those aluminum threads are only good for one time around at that kind of torque, imho. At the very least they should be chased out, and that's time consuming too. Swapping heads on a LS1 is definately something you don't want to rush through. Get a shop that has done it before, or study up on it and do yourself, slow and methodical
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#8
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Originally Posted by jrp
if i were a paying customer i'd spent a bit more on labor that was done right and thorough then save a couple of bucks and have potential problems and have to go back and fix the work that should of been done right in the first place.
i dont remember off hand how long it took me to install my heads.
I wrote my sentence incorrectly.
I ment to say I have seen threads where guys have done the job in 3-4 hours, and was calling BS on this.
Doing it correct the first time is the only way to go.
Just clearing that up because of my fast typing and non proof reading self.
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Originally Posted by Cal
Have them do studs while they are at it . . . those aluminum threads are only good for one time around at that kind of torque, imho. At the very least they should be chased out, and that's time consuming too. Swapping heads on a LS1 is definately something you don't want to rush through. Get a shop that has done it before, or study up on it and do yourself, slow and methodical
agreed, studs are a extra piece of mind.
#10
You will have to remove the motor to install or remove heads from the head studs. I know of one shop that drops the motor from bottom for just a cam install. They say it is easier that way.
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Originally Posted by gollum
You will have to remove the motor to install or remove heads from the head studs.
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You can install the heads on stud in the car on a vette or f-body. Dropping the motor would be so much unecessary work for a cam swap. I agree that 8 hours is a pretty good guesstimate to swap heads. It does take a long time cleaning out the bolt holes and piston before reassembly. Studs are definately a good thing.
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I think all the normal everyday shops you talk to will charge full book time. They usually wont cut a deal on a job, thats how they make money. The sponsors shops on the otherhand do these all the time. They know this job well from doing alot of them. They got it down & can wip them out from experience, so you can get a better price from them.
I think that is the answer you wanted?
I think that is the answer you wanted?
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Originally Posted by wrencher
I think all the normal everyday shops you talk to will charge full book time. They usually wont cut a deal on a job, thats how they make money. The sponsors shops on the otherhand do these all the time. They know this job well from doing alot of them. They got it down & can wip them out from experience, so you can get a better price from them.
I think that is the answer you wanted?
I think that is the answer you wanted?
#20
Originally Posted by JZ'sTA
Cleaning the bolt holes is the most boring process.
I have heads of guys doing it in 3 hours, but thats BS, unless you just fly through it and torque the bolts to whatever you arm tell's you is good.
Matt is probally right on, normally a 7-9 hour job if you dont get a lot of people distracting you.
I have heads of guys doing it in 3 hours, but thats BS, unless you just fly through it and torque the bolts to whatever you arm tell's you is good.
Matt is probally right on, normally a 7-9 hour job if you dont get a lot of people distracting you.
Originally Posted by gollum
Sorry. I was thinking F body only.
Originally Posted by Builder
Is it worth pulling the old heads yourself? That could save a couple of hours labor. Tow or drag it to shop after...