Curious about certain costs...

Not every owner has disposable income

 

Estimate I recieved from a local independent shop was "under" $3,500. That was for the timing belt only. Water pump, bearings, etc. would add to that.

 

super price for an engine out service....even adding hills bearings, oem tensioners & water pump (if needed) still makes for a very reasonable basic service.

 

I just paid close to 9k for my 355's 4th major. This included all the fluids, belts, tensioners, water pump, full 30k kit, and about 800 in random sensors bolts and electrical connectors. 6 of this was labor and the rest parts.

 

Thats 27 hours and I have seen it done many times. You should drop by Daytona sometime Mike. Actually try to come by for the grand opening of their new place or should I say palace later in the year. You will be amazed, believe me.

 

There are book hours. Ive seen the book and it has the hours for every single job you could imagine. Cant remember the hours for a 355 engine out service. Just watched a 355 challenge engine done in no time...no corners cut.

 

Agree 100%. These are very special cars which require special attention.

This is also true, as I do not have a large amount for disposable income. However, I just have an understanding with myself that anything that needs done with my 348 just needs to be done, no exceptions and certainly no shortcuts.

 

I've been to Daytona. Alex is terrific.

When is the grand opening of the new place and where?

 

Probably late next spring or summer. Depends on the weather right now. It won't be too far from FoO.

 

I think the $3,500 figure was a base labor number without parts. When I had mine done two really good Indys quoted me round numbers of $4,000 for labor and $2,000 for parts plus any "while you are in there" costs. Total out the door for me was $7,100 after a few minor "additional" items.

 

1 1/2 hours may be realistic if you assume the engine is out. And all 20 bolts and nuts are in new condition, and none of the studs come out with the nut. And the motor is sitting on the stand in such a way that you can access all the nuts from underneath with just a universal jointed socket. And you use power tools to take off and install each of the 20 nuts and bolts (that ok with you?). And you have all the tools sitting out. And the parts being installed, including the 8 exhaust gaskets and 2 donuts are sitting out. And all parts, including the area around and near the exhaust flange are clean. And when you reinstall the cats, they are perfectly clocked to accept the muffler when you reinstall that.
Lessee, you've got 90 minutes from start to finish. 20 nuts off. Old headers off. 8 gaskets off. 8 new ones on. 2 new donuts on. New headers on. 20 nuts on. 60 functions. 90 seconds for each, including the time to make up tools. Yeah, that's realistic.

 

Back off. You are talking to a guy that has 4 Ferraris, does 10 major engine outs a year all on his back, breathes Ferrari knowledge out of his nostrils, and good enough to lend a hand with his free advice. So, if Bruce tells you it takes 1 1/2 hours, then it takes 1 1/2 hours.

Bruce is our resident Stooge number 1. It does not come more prestigious than that.

 

Here is my real life experience. I just finished some work on a car that had a major service right before the sale by a shop, and a PPI done by another independent mechanic. The new owner asked me to change the muffler. I put it on the lift and it snowballed into a lot more. Here is what I found:

Death rattle caused by Kluber grease has totally leaked out of the flywheel assembly.
Two dead engine mounts.
One cat converter totally rodded out.
One leaking oil hose at the oil tank.
Two heater hoses missing, not connected, not there. One pipe is missing. Probably broke during removal and bypassed instead of replaced.
Leaking valve cover gasket oozing with black silicon, and still leaking.
One loud thunk from rear suspension because the bushing is totally pulled out.
One cracked and leaking radiator
AC compressor replaced but bolts and nuts are loose.
And sub frame at the left upper A-arm totally cracked through.
The steering rack boot leaks, and is broken.
On the good side, the valve covers were repainted wrinkled red.
The service bill clearly states the Water pump S hose was replaced. But, it is not there.

I don't know how much that service cost, but whatever it was, it was not worth it. Many corners were cut to lower the price, perhaps?

I am also incredulous that the PPI mechanic did not spot any of those issues.

You are only as good as your mechanic. Good ones cost more than bad ones. It is the reason I do all my own work.

 

It would if you have to enlarge one of the holes to make it fit. And muscle the bad fitting after market headers to fit the geometry. Please press on with your life.