$400 for replacing intake gaskets on 350 TPI...fair price??? - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

maks10 · 10-16-2009, 03:34 PM

Any feedback would help thanks

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3rd gen Will · 10-16-2009, 04:29 PM

Is that total? (parts+labor)

Or just labor cost?

maks10 · 10-16-2009, 05:11 PM

total with tax $428.00...I was looking on how to do it myself and looks too much for a beginner. I hoping this is a good price since he was reffered by a friend.

3rd gen Will · 10-16-2009, 05:18 PM

It took me about 3 hours to put the TPI back together on my car. The complete fel pro gasket kit is about $40 from autozone. So you are paying about 385 for labor. I was a mechanic in the air force, I have never paid to have anything worked on, except a transmission build, so I am not to savvy on labor costs. If I were to do if for someone else I'd charge around $200+parts to do it personally, so for having a shop do it that doesn't seem to out of line price wise to me.

maks10 · 10-16-2009, 05:53 PM

Thanks for the info! Really appreciate it.

transam85dudeman · 10-16-2009, 06:07 PM

yeah. you got do look at it this way..if his rate is 80 dollars an hour and he worked for 4 hours and bought a really expensive manifold kit then no. My friend paid a mechanic 200 bucks to replace my fpr, injectors, throttle body gasket, plenum gasket etc, excluding parts. in take gasket is probably better to have down by a pro if you're a beginner. but thats the beauty of learning. Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. give a man a fishing pole, he'll eat for a lifetime.

afremont · 10-16-2009, 06:13 PM

When they are putting it back together, have them drop in some replacement injectors from some place like FIC.

3rd gen Will · 10-16-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afremont

When they are putting it back together, have them drop in some replacement injectors from some place like FIC.

Or get a set of SVO 24# they can be had for $75 off ebay.

bgood71 · 10-16-2009, 10:30 PM

Been awhile since I looked up the labor for tpi intake gaskets, but I think its close to 8hrs to r&r upper and lower and clean the the egr passages.However, an expierenced mechanic should be able to do the job properly in about 3-4hrs.I think it took around 3hrs to do mine the 1st time I did one. So at $400 with a labor rate of $80/hr, the labor time is 5hrs which is very reasonble.

poppa843 · 10-17-2009, 02:02 AM

The mechanic I take my car to told me it would cost 650 for the same job on mine. I'm putting it off till I work up the courage to do it myself or find a better deal.

maks10 · 10-17-2009, 10:29 AM

Are new injectors a need as well? Or is it a convenience factor since the intake is off? I never thought to replace them. Yea I was hoping to do this job myself but realized after looking at this site it maybe to advanced for me at the moment. Right now Im just finding out how these gaskets work/peice together with the motor. Learning everyday. Still love the car!

Thanks everyone for all the feedback, really appreciate it!

jv9999 · 10-17-2009, 03:28 PM

The $400 would be better spent on tools and a shop manual. At least that's always been my philosophy. I've never had good luck paying others to work on my cars.

alloy · 10-17-2009, 05:18 PM

Pulling the intake isn't that tough of a job. Yes a few special tool like torx bits are required, and a timing light would be needed to set your timing. You can buy all these for way less that what the shop wants and have the knowledge and satisfaction you did it yourself.

One thing a newbie does when pulling an intake off it they don't get the engine to where #1 cylinder is in the firing position. If you don't do this you will have to find #1 TDC on the compression stroke. So, a little pre planning makes the job much easier. It's easy to find TDC, pull the distributor cap and bump the engine over til the rotor is pointing to the #1 terminal on the cap BEFORE pulling the distributor out. This way when you put it all back together you just need to get the distributor and rotor back in the same position, and make sure the oil pump shaft is engaged with the distributor and the distributor is fully seated. We can explain further if you do decide to do this. Doing a little work before pulling the intake will allow you to easily fire the car up and use a timing light to set the timing. Again if you attempt this many of us here would be more than happy to help you with advise.

And as JV999 said, a shop manual is the first place for you to start. Take a good look at it, ask questions, then decide if you want to tackle this on your own.