Thinking of getting a new timimg chain put in my daily driver Chevy Caprice V8 305. Looks like the water pump has to come off, and then the timing cover is right there. The dealer wants $500 (wow), but that's probably high. What would an independent garage want?? How about labor for a new cam too ?? Thanks

 

For a garage, I would say probably around 300. The dealer is ALWAYS expensive. To install a new cam the only thing else you have to do is remove the intake manifold and valve covers. This will probably be over 1000 at the chevy dealer, at a garage probably 2/3 of that. I would strongly urge you to do these yourself, because think of all of the other mods you could do with the money you're saving. You could buy a new base, roller rockers, and headers for that kind of money.

One more thing, you could buy the highest quality tools available with the money you're saving..keep that in mind too.

[This message has been edited by rezinn (edited November 08, 2001).]

 

plus if you do them yourself you get the experience of doing it, and can help others out and save them money. and when you do it again you'll aready have the tools and experience.

 

Oil pan needs to have all the bolts loosened,and front of pan needs to drop about 1/2" before the front cover will come off.Even if you're careful chances are good that pan will seep a little after bolting it back up.It would be a lot easier if the pan didn't overlap the front cover, but it does,so keep this in mind.
-Rich-