hello
I would like to get your opinion on the cost of 3 seperate jobs for my new '68 chevelle because I am not sure if I am being taken for a ride....
1. head gaskets for the 396 325 horse
2. ALL new suspension bushings...front and rear
3. Motor mounts including tranny.....?
If you guys can tell me what a ball park figure for EACH job should be I certainly would appreciate it...thanks G

Head gaskets 9.2 hrs at my labor rate would be 506.00 plus another 300.00 in parts? Front bushings labor 4.0 hrs would be 220.00 parts another 160.00 to 230.00 plus alignment 70.00. Mounts 2.5 hrs 137.50 plus parts maybe 100.00. This does not include any diagnoses time. Hope this helps

Mike,
Your labor rate is waaaaaaay too low. Stop cheating yourself !!! There is not a single shop within 20 miles of me that is less than $80 per hr, and they charge more for the type of work we are looking at here. Most are up around $95

thanks for the fast response...my quote is for $89 per hour...I will tell you guys my quotes after I get some more feedback...thanks

Thats pretty low. My shop charges $120 an hr.

Good grief, I need to take another look at my own labor rates. ;)

Are these quotes firm, or ballpark? Have you discussed the possibility that you're going to need ball joints and other parts before that bushing job is back together? It's a very real possibility, unless they've recently been replaced.

I'm glad I work on my own cars!

I'm glad I work on my own cars!


I'm with ya!!! :)

In my area the going rate at independent shops is 60.00, dealers are around 70.00 - 90.00.

Good grief, I need to take another look at my own labor rates. ;)

Are these quotes firm, or ballpark? Have you discussed the possibility that you're going to need ball joints and other parts before that bushing job is back together? It's a very real possibility, unless they've recently been replaced.

My quote is fairly accurate given the information supplied. As with doing any site unseen quote there is always unknown items that may need to be replaced and I always tell my customers that the only way to give them a more accurate quote is to see the car.

My quote is fairly accurate given the information supplied.

I know, I was just kiddin'. I only do work on select cars anyway, through a group of trusted friends. I'm thinkin' I'm too cheap these days, haven't raised rates in a few years. ;)

thank you for your replies...I didn't really get an answer to my question though....here are my quotes....$1000 for head gaskets including valve adjustment...$1100 for all new bushings....$500 for all motor mounts including tranny....these prices include labor....what do you guys think of these prices?....thanks

thank you for your replies...I didn't really get an answer to my question though....here are my quotes....$1000 for head gaskets including valve adjustment...$1100 for all new bushings....$500 for all motor mounts including tranny....these prices include labor....what do you guys think of these prices?....thanks

:eek: I'm thinking do it myself and save myself a couple grand :yes: Don't know what your skill level is.

thank you for your replies...I didn't really get an answer to my question though....here are my quotes....$1000 for head gaskets including valve adjustment...$1100 for all new bushings....$500 for all motor mounts including tranny....these prices include labor....what do you guys think of these prices?....thanks

You should at least know how to do your own motor mounts replacement for under $100

I can do some of the work myself but a back injury has me limited in my ability....thanks for your help

Go to car shows in your area, make friends with the guy with the unfinished car that is built right. He most likely has the tools for the job, just not the time to finish his own. He'll charge cheaper, too. ;)

I can do some of the work myself but a back injury has me limited in my ability....thanks for your help

Now thats a whole different story. The Bad back thing is bad news and you can hardly work on cars with a bad back. Especially under the dash...ouch

Now thats a whole different story. The Bad back thing is bad news and you can hardly work on cars with a bad back. Especially under the dash...ouch

Even worse trying to pull a BB cast Iron head off the block while leaning over the fender... :eek: My backs just sore thinking about it...

I'd definitely get some other estimates...

I assume if you need head gaskets, that the car doesn't run... Do you "need" both?

I just had my rear control arms changed and it took them 6.5 hrs to get the old ones off and the new ones on. They said it was one of the hardest ones that they have ever done, after 40 years they are pretty rusted on. Good luck.

Even worse trying to pull a BB cast Iron head off the block while leaning over the fender... :eek: My backs just sore thinking about it...


LOL !!! I remember that, I swear I was going to leave my body impression in each fender.