What's the labor cost to change an Engine?
- Thread starter Bob Dunahugh
- Start date
I've never seen a flatrate manual for the GMC. If the shop has the equipment, replacing the engine and trans as a unit could be done in a day.
Either alone might take a bit longer. Anyhow, two days with an eztra mechanic for half the time is three mechanic - days or 24 hours at ~~ 100 per
hour, 2400 bux. Sounds reasonable. It's taking me a couple of weeks, working several hours day day and learning as I go. (With George Z's help, we
did the second transmission R&R in about half the time of the first. I figure the engine time would reduce about equally.)
Anyone got a GM flat rate manual which covers the Toro?
--johnny
--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
Either alone might take a bit longer. Anyhow, two days with an eztra mechanic for half the time is three mechanic - days or 24 hours at ~~ 100 per
hour, 2400 bux. Sounds reasonable. It's taking me a couple of weeks, working several hours day day and learning as I go. (With George Z's help, we
did the second transmission R&R in about half the time of the first. I figure the engine time would reduce about equally.)
Anyone got a GM flat rate manual which covers the Toro?
--johnny
--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
No flat rate on motor homes. I charge 22 hours at shop rate. I have done
many. Out the top. Fancy interior coaches take longer, extra stuff like
remote coolers, take longer. You are not standing around at this rate.
Stuff like aluminum intakes etc take longer.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or.
78 GMC ROYALE 403
On Mon, Mar 11, 2019, 6:32 AM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <
> I've never seen a flatrate manual for the GMC. If the shop has the
> equipment, replacing the engine and trans as a unit could be done in a day.
> Either alone might take a bit longer. Anyhow, two days with an eztra
> mechanic for half the time is three mechanic - days or 24 hours at ~~ 100
> per
> hour, 2400 bux. Sounds reasonable. It's taking me a couple of weeks,
> working several hours day day and learning as I go. (With George Z's help,
> we
> did the second transmission R&R in about half the time of the first. I
> figure the engine time would reduce about equally.)
>
> Anyone got a GM flat rate manual which covers the Toro?
>
> --johnny
>
>
> --
> Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> "I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
many. Out the top. Fancy interior coaches take longer, extra stuff like
remote coolers, take longer. You are not standing around at this rate.
Stuff like aluminum intakes etc take longer.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or.
78 GMC ROYALE 403
On Mon, Mar 11, 2019, 6:32 AM Johnny Bridges via Gmclist <
> I've never seen a flatrate manual for the GMC. If the shop has the
> equipment, replacing the engine and trans as a unit could be done in a day.
> Either alone might take a bit longer. Anyhow, two days with an eztra
> mechanic for half the time is three mechanic - days or 24 hours at ~~ 100
> per
> hour, 2400 bux. Sounds reasonable. It's taking me a couple of weeks,
> working several hours day day and learning as I go. (With George Z's help,
> we
> did the second transmission R&R in about half the time of the first. I
> figure the engine time would reduce about equally.)
>
> Anyone got a GM flat rate manual which covers the Toro?
>
> --johnny
>
>
> --
> Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> "I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me
> in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
Cost is a very small problem in my opinon. Getting someone to do it properly is what is damn near impossible.
I have seen people spend $5k on R&R only to sit on the side of the road with a blown engine. One I looked at last year you can tell they mucked up
the engine swap. I have seen that on cars too, not just GMC's. I did my own very carefully. At least if mine fails I know exactly what I did or
did not do and it is my fault. Not all have that luxury.
I have talked to people who have paid a couple grand, up to 6-7 grand for labor.
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
I have seen people spend $5k on R&R only to sit on the side of the road with a blown engine. One I looked at last year you can tell they mucked up
the engine swap. I have seen that on cars too, not just GMC's. I did my own very carefully. At least if mine fails I know exactly what I did or
did not do and it is my fault. Not all have that luxury.
I have talked to people who have paid a couple grand, up to 6-7 grand for labor.
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
A few years back, I posted that I'd installed my engine and transmission,
alone, in something like 45 minutes. That was ONLY hoisting it from
beneath the coach into the engine compartment. No wires, hoses, etc.,
connected, and with the chain already hooked up. But, some interpreted
that as being a much more complete job and harassed Jim Bounds, wanting to
know why he charges 30 hours for an R&R.
I don't know the validity of that 30 hour claim, but it wouldn't surprise
me, especially if it includes any engine compartment cleanup, wire & hose
replacement, etc.
Ken H.
On Mon, Mar 11, 2019 at 10:46 AM Jon Roche via Gmclist <
> Cost is a very small problem in my opinon. Getting someone to do it
> properly is what is damn near impossible.
>
> I have seen people spend $5k on R&R only to sit on the side of the road
> with a blown engine. One I looked at last year you can tell they mucked
> up
> the engine swap. I have seen that on cars too, not just GMC's. I did
> my own very carefully. At least if mine fails I know exactly what I did or
> did not do and it is my fault. Not all have that luxury.
>
> I have talked to people who have paid a couple grand, up to 6-7 grand for
> labor.
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
alone, in something like 45 minutes. That was ONLY hoisting it from
beneath the coach into the engine compartment. No wires, hoses, etc.,
connected, and with the chain already hooked up. But, some interpreted
that as being a much more complete job and harassed Jim Bounds, wanting to
know why he charges 30 hours for an R&R.
I don't know the validity of that 30 hour claim, but it wouldn't surprise
me, especially if it includes any engine compartment cleanup, wire & hose
replacement, etc.
Ken H.
On Mon, Mar 11, 2019 at 10:46 AM Jon Roche via Gmclist <
> Cost is a very small problem in my opinon. Getting someone to do it
> properly is what is damn near impossible.
>
> I have seen people spend $5k on R&R only to sit on the side of the road
> with a blown engine. One I looked at last year you can tell they mucked
> up
> the engine swap. I have seen that on cars too, not just GMC's. I did
> my own very carefully. At least if mine fails I know exactly what I did or
> did not do and it is my fault. Not all have that luxury.
>
> I have talked to people who have paid a couple grand, up to 6-7 grand for
> labor.
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
It took me about 36 - 40 hours to do mine. Of course that included a lot of cleaning, painting, etc that a professional mechanic would not have
necessarily done. I'm sure a professional mechanic, with the right tools and equipment, could do it in a lot less time, especially if he has done
more than one. There are a LOT of details to attend to.
The average shop time in my area is around $110 - 120.00 per hour.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
necessarily done. I'm sure a professional mechanic, with the right tools and equipment, could do it in a lot less time, especially if he has done
more than one. There are a LOT of details to attend to.
The average shop time in my area is around $110 - 120.00 per hour.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
I was referring to chargeable time, not clock hours. Lots of elapsed time
is not chargeable to the customer.
Jim Hupy
On Mon, Mar 11, 2019, 12:10 PM Carl Stouffer via Gmclist <
> It took me about 36 - 40 hours to do mine. Of course that included a lot
> of cleaning, painting, etc that a professional mechanic would not have
> necessarily done. I'm sure a professional mechanic, with the right tools
> and equipment, could do it in a lot less time, especially if he has done
> more than one. There are a LOT of details to attend to.
>
> The average shop time in my area is around $110 - 120.00 per hour.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive,
> Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American
> Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
is not chargeable to the customer.
Jim Hupy
On Mon, Mar 11, 2019, 12:10 PM Carl Stouffer via Gmclist <
> It took me about 36 - 40 hours to do mine. Of course that included a lot
> of cleaning, painting, etc that a professional mechanic would not have
> necessarily done. I'm sure a professional mechanic, with the right tools
> and equipment, could do it in a lot less time, especially if he has done
> more than one. There are a LOT of details to attend to.
>
> The average shop time in my area is around $110 - 120.00 per hour.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive,
> Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American
> Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> It took me about 36 - 40 hours to do mine. Of course that included a lot of cleaning, painting, etc that a professional mechanic would not have
> necessarily done. I'm sure a professional mechanic, with the right tools and equipment, could do it in a lot less time, especially if he has done
> more than one. There are a LOT of details to attend to.
>
> The average shop time in my area is around $110 - 120.00 per hour.
That is about the time I spent when I did the R&R of my engine/transmission/final drive as a complete assembly back in 2010. That was over a 2 week
period. Lots of time doing extra stuff beyond the drive train.
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Lenzi stuff, Manny Tranny etc.
> necessarily done. I'm sure a professional mechanic, with the right tools and equipment, could do it in a lot less time, especially if he has done
> more than one. There are a LOT of details to attend to.
>
> The average shop time in my area is around $110 - 120.00 per hour.
That is about the time I spent when I did the R&R of my engine/transmission/final drive as a complete assembly back in 2010. That was over a 2 week
period. Lots of time doing extra stuff beyond the drive train.
--
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator, Lenzi stuff, Manny Tranny etc.
I "watched" two experienced Canadian GMCers change an engine on a 4 post lift in a day. They started at 7 AM. I drove there and did arrive until 12
noon. I was not a worker on this project. I was just an out of town "supervisor". When I arrived I asked where the new engine was. The response
was "Installed" in the coach. I took them 5 hours to remove and place the new one in position by dropping out of the bottom. They spent the rest of
the afternoon eating lunch and attaching stuff back to the new engine. At 6 PM we all sat down for dinner as the coach was done and at 7 PM I headed
back home.
So I calculate that it took them 19 man hours total. I missed the important part by by arriving at noon which was more than 1/2 way into the project.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
noon. I was not a worker on this project. I was just an out of town "supervisor". When I arrived I asked where the new engine was. The response
was "Installed" in the coach. I took them 5 hours to remove and place the new one in position by dropping out of the bottom. They spent the rest of
the afternoon eating lunch and attaching stuff back to the new engine. At 6 PM we all sat down for dinner as the coach was done and at 7 PM I headed
back home.
So I calculate that it took them 19 man hours total. I missed the important part by by arriving at noon which was more than 1/2 way into the project.
--
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
Being young enough to be vigorous, yet old enough to know what you are
doing, and familiar with the machine you are working on, as well as
organized, has a whole bunch to do with it. I am not describing myself.
Jim Hupy
On Mon, Mar 11, 2019, 7:35 PM Ken Burton via Gmclist <
> I "watched" two experienced Canadian GMCers change an engine on a 4 post
> lift in a day. They started at 7 AM. I drove there and did arrive until 12
> noon. I was not a worker on this project. I was just an out of town
> "supervisor". When I arrived I asked where the new engine was. The
> response
> was "Installed" in the coach. I took them 5 hours to remove and place the
> new one in position by dropping out of the bottom. They spent the rest of
> the afternoon eating lunch and attaching stuff back to the new engine. At
> 6 PM we all sat down for dinner as the coach was done and at 7 PM I headed
> back home.
>
> So I calculate that it took them 19 man hours total. I missed the
> important part by by arriving at noon which was more than 1/2 way into the
> project.
>
>
>
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
doing, and familiar with the machine you are working on, as well as
organized, has a whole bunch to do with it. I am not describing myself.
Jim Hupy
On Mon, Mar 11, 2019, 7:35 PM Ken Burton via Gmclist <
> I "watched" two experienced Canadian GMCers change an engine on a 4 post
> lift in a day. They started at 7 AM. I drove there and did arrive until 12
> noon. I was not a worker on this project. I was just an out of town
> "supervisor". When I arrived I asked where the new engine was. The
> response
> was "Installed" in the coach. I took them 5 hours to remove and place the
> new one in position by dropping out of the bottom. They spent the rest of
> the afternoon eating lunch and attaching stuff back to the new engine. At
> 6 PM we all sat down for dinner as the coach was done and at 7 PM I headed
> back home.
>
> So I calculate that it took them 19 man hours total. I missed the
> important part by by arriving at noon which was more than 1/2 way into the
> project.
>
>
>
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
Well ..... I have to find out ...
Since last Wednesday our GMC, The Flying Dutchman, came to a stop at Seguin, TX ....
I already experienced shifting getting worse, sometimes no 3 gear in the days before, but at that point manually "helping" ... helped....
On the Wednesday morning it was cold, coming from a nice but also very cold stay at the Alamo City RV Park of 2 days, bringing the shifter from P to D
was very difficult. Much resistance. Driving .... only till second gear. On highway I only drove at 3300 rpm, about 55-56 mph (GPS reading)
Normally my oil pressure was about 40 psa, now 35 .... and as I approached the exit at Seguin, TX, it dropped to 20psi and seeing that, I instantly
took that exit, whilst rolling on that exit ramp it dropped to almost zero. I could swing in a nice parking spot between some trucks an switched the
engine off.
No overheating, nor temperature elevation on transmission temp meter, no smelling. Only I thought I heard in those last seconds a very light rattle.
Checking under the hood, there was some coolant got out against hood and dripping on ground, not excessive.
Checking oil, level still almost max. Transmission, good, red and not hot or smelling.
BTW before the start of this trip, all oil, transmission oil, filters, alternator, checking, new gasket with block off plates was done in Tuscon.
After consulting Alex and Espen, they advised me let it cooldown, 1-1,5 hours, then start it look at pressure and listen carefully.
I did, pressure up to 35 psi, but again dropping. And we heard a little rattle / knock ...
To summarize .... waited two days for the right wrecker, a Landoll with winch, luckycould spend the night in nearby motel, had food and gas station at
hand ...
And not to forget the help of several GMCers from around !
Billy, Stephen, Paul and Budd ... they managed to get me at Friday to the shop of Don Virta in Cedar Park, who promised me to get the job done, he is
going to get engine and transmission out, the whole clip ...
We decided to rent a MH, for 4 weeks, drove back with the help of Paul, to San Antonio, so we could continue our trip to Tallahassee GMCMI Meeting and
back .......
So the Flying Dutchman is immobilized for the time being, but I hope that he will come out of this, better and stronger then before
And to answer the question, asked here ... I don't yet know but we will see ... a down payment is already paid ....
--
Daniel Jacobs, NL-USA 1977 GMC Eleganza II, 455 newer Tranny+3.55 FD. FiTech and FCC, new Hoses, Selector Valve and Electric Pump, insulated Tanks,
APC, McDash, Dash AC to Enviro Safe. Schräder V+extern Fills, Ceramic Film TPMS FlexSteel Seats
Since last Wednesday our GMC, The Flying Dutchman, came to a stop at Seguin, TX ....
I already experienced shifting getting worse, sometimes no 3 gear in the days before, but at that point manually "helping" ... helped....
On the Wednesday morning it was cold, coming from a nice but also very cold stay at the Alamo City RV Park of 2 days, bringing the shifter from P to D
was very difficult. Much resistance. Driving .... only till second gear. On highway I only drove at 3300 rpm, about 55-56 mph (GPS reading)
Normally my oil pressure was about 40 psa, now 35 .... and as I approached the exit at Seguin, TX, it dropped to 20psi and seeing that, I instantly
took that exit, whilst rolling on that exit ramp it dropped to almost zero. I could swing in a nice parking spot between some trucks an switched the
engine off.
No overheating, nor temperature elevation on transmission temp meter, no smelling. Only I thought I heard in those last seconds a very light rattle.
Checking under the hood, there was some coolant got out against hood and dripping on ground, not excessive.
Checking oil, level still almost max. Transmission, good, red and not hot or smelling.
BTW before the start of this trip, all oil, transmission oil, filters, alternator, checking, new gasket with block off plates was done in Tuscon.
After consulting Alex and Espen, they advised me let it cooldown, 1-1,5 hours, then start it look at pressure and listen carefully.
I did, pressure up to 35 psi, but again dropping. And we heard a little rattle / knock ...
To summarize .... waited two days for the right wrecker, a Landoll with winch, luckycould spend the night in nearby motel, had food and gas station at
hand ...
And not to forget the help of several GMCers from around !
Billy, Stephen, Paul and Budd ... they managed to get me at Friday to the shop of Don Virta in Cedar Park, who promised me to get the job done, he is
going to get engine and transmission out, the whole clip ...
We decided to rent a MH, for 4 weeks, drove back with the help of Paul, to San Antonio, so we could continue our trip to Tallahassee GMCMI Meeting and
back .......
So the Flying Dutchman is immobilized for the time being, but I hope that he will come out of this, better and stronger then before
And to answer the question, asked here ... I don't yet know but we will see ... a down payment is already paid ....
--
Daniel Jacobs, NL-USA 1977 GMC Eleganza II, 455 newer Tranny+3.55 FD. FiTech and FCC, new Hoses, Selector Valve and Electric Pump, insulated Tanks,
APC, McDash, Dash AC to Enviro Safe. Schräder V+extern Fills, Ceramic Film TPMS FlexSteel Seats
