cost of cylinder head R & R

[kopy kat]

I need advice from a boat mechanic. My cylinder heads have cracked (second time in a year) and the shop doing the work is quoting 20 hours "according to the Mercury Manual" to do the work-at $75 hourly rate. The new Vortec heads for my '99 5.7 EFI Mercrusier are costing $300+ each. The last shop that did the first R & R charged 10 hours. Of course, this is the same shop that installed the new impeller wrong and caused the second incident. So I'm wondering what a good average would be to be charged for the R & R of the cylinder heads. Thanks, Kopy Kat

 

[CCrew]

Re: cost of cylinder head R & R

Just swapping heads? I'd say the 10 hours was the more correct estimate. 20 hours needs to come with free vaseline so it doesn't hurt as bad...

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: cost of cylinder head R & R

For that kind of money you could drive up to my shop here in Canada...and still get it done for less. 20 hours is pretty steep. 5-8 Might be more reasonable.<br /><br />Especially if they are just installing new heads.<br /><br />TMD

 

[merc 140 pontoon]

Re: cost of cylinder head R & R

I'm with CCrew--it better come with free vasoline AND Tucks pads.<br /><br />Go back to the mechanic. Ask him to show you the Flat Rate Manual entry for that job on that engine. I will tell you what it says: Part Code 412, Cylinder Head/Gasket (Both), Flat Rate Code MM52, V-8 5.7L, 8.4 hours. The mechanic will then laugh and say that the Flat Rate Manual is a joke. Then you laugh, tell him you're going to mail to Merc the written quote you have from him for 20 hours (you got it in writing, right?), and then leave and go somewhere else.<br /><br />Unless you like that vasoline and Tucks pad kind of thing.<br /><br />Steve<br /><br />P.S. You say "this is the same shop that installed the new impeller wrong and caused the second incident." If you can prove that, you may have other recourse. They should stand behind their work.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: cost of cylinder head R & R

Hello<br /> if this is the same shop that put the pump together incorecctly and caused the problem they should make the repairs for free. or at least eat the labor. you will have the minor problem of proving it. it takes quite a bit of heat to crack a head and the only way to know they are cracked is to take them off and dissasembe them and magnaflux or dye check them. dont just accept the cracks. if I was you and did not trust the shop. etch your intials in the head before they remove them and take them to a machine shop and have a machinist show you the crack. unfortunately there are a number of dishonest people in our profession. sad to say it but I have seen it in both boats and autos. <br /> good luck and keep us posted