I'd better get the hard part over with first. My 71 chevelle was hit for a "total loss" in Jan. 2003 and now I am in a battle to get every cent I can from my insurance company since they think my car isn't worth much. I am compiling some reciepts for them to deal with but am lacking the amount of labor time for each process. My older brother is an ASE Master Technician and is going to write the reciepts since he did almost all the engine work. SO I need some labor times for installing: World Heads, solid lifter camshaft, Electric water pump, electric fuel pump, install th 400, B&M shift kit, Holeshot 3000 torque converter, trans cooler, electric fan, 100 amp alternator, and resealing the entire engine. I am planning on fixing the chevelle since it was only hit in the front (bent frame). I think some old shop manuals are what I'm looking for, but I don't have any. Any help you guys can give would be greatly appreciated!

Aaron Your local library will have a lobor rate shop manuall that would be a place to start. Sorry to hear about your car

Your brother should have some access to online data for that kind of stuff.

Aaron, I went through this last year. Learned the best thing to do is get an appraiser and explain to him/her your predicament. Have him/her look at your car and estimate it's pre accident condition/worth. If you have pre accident photos that will help. Good Luck, Pete

Well I had an appraiser come out and he gave my insurance a value for the car, minus the upraded engine and tranny. He said there is no real way for him to estimate the worth of the engine, since he has no clue was is inside the engine (i.e. pistons, rods, cam, etc.). I did make sure to take plenty of pictures when the engine was out of the car about 2 yrs. ago. It is such a friggin headache!! My advice to everyone out there is to make sure you have uninsured motorist collision, it saved me! and of course get your car appraised.

Sorry about your car Aaron, that really hurts. I had a simular situation with an older truck that I had restored. I went roundy - roundy with the insurance people even when I had receipts.

When I got my 66 chevelle done I spent the extra cash and had an appraisal done on it. I worked with the guy and went over the whole car including engine. I showed all my receipts and he documented everything in writing. My main purpose was for replacement costs. I gave the appraisal to my insurance company and they would honor the whole amount if totalled, stolen, etc. I hope that I never have to use it, but with the amount of time and money most of us put into our cars it is well worth it... ;)