Here we sit in Soldotna ... the Blazer is still up in the Anchorage area getting a new motor

Not many steelhead, but lots of golf and some site-debugging while I hang out

We're hoping to actually get 8-10 of fishin in before our break is over ... but we'll see!

A question for any mechanics or people with access to the labor hours guides out there for car repairs:

We're a little concerned about the amount of labor the dealer in Anchorage might end up claiming on our repairs, perhaps someone has access to one the guides (I figured I'd ask before I paid for the info online) for labor time for the following:

1996 Blazer, 4.3, 4WD, A/C

R&R a new crate engine from GM (long block), accessories needed to be R&R'd as well (alternator, water pump, a/c compressor, intake manifold, etc.)

If anyone has any idea please let us know .. thanks!

Unfortunatly I don't know the rate but I am sure it aint gonna be cheap. If it's not one thing its something worse! Hope things get done to your satisfaction and with out to much pain in the wallet area.

Fishslayer75 works at a shop in Auburn and was real helpful to me when I was looking at a few used rigs, give him a try, great guy!

Wish I could have had the work done down south, but alas, it wasn't an option.

I'm more worried about being charged excessive labor since they've had it for some time now and I really don't know how many hours they're into it. They're supposed to charge what the book says, but ...

Thus, I'm trying to see what the book actually says

Well Bob, its like this. First off hopefully you got an estimate, I'm sure you did, and should have parts and labor break down. Average long block time is approx. 8 to 12 on labor alone. Since no head work has to be done and probably they'll tell you about water pump, alternator, belt(s) replacement since they're that far, it should be all included in the R&R time. Book time is another thing. Which book are they going out from? Then is your rig a rust bucket? We charge extra in certain circumstances due to rusted bolts (east coast cars especially cause of the salts they use winter time) and the book does'nt cover where we'd have to torch or cut them off. Oh yeah, our shop labor rate is at $85 an hour avrg. depending on the job, and yes it is a multi car dealership I work for in Renton. I'll get back with you with exact numbers tommorow as I'll ask my service advisor. Reason for the wait is that they probably had to order the long block as not very many parts department will not stock an item like that since it is not a fast moving item that isn't sold on a daily basis but should have given you a time frame also.

Robert

Bob, I posted part of your question on another forum I frequent and the knowledgeable guys seemed to think between 15 and 20 hours billed, for a 4WD.

One said he'd check his book tomorrow at work. I'll let you know if he gets back to me.

Skywalker, boy I'd sure would like to get into there shop for those hours on a long block. I'm in the wrong shop. Also be aware that independent shops do charge less on hourly rates, but make it up on the time. And in a dealer shop we keep up on all the updates on changes to parts from different manufacturers...

Robert

Actually, the motor was in stock. GM dealers in the area all seem to have them. No, no estimates unfortunately as we were kinda under the gun being on the road. I always figured if it was too out of line, I can always charge back on the card and get the hard numbers from the books if need be and fight it from there.

Anyhow, thanks for looking into things, I know they have low, avg. and high guidelines and I figure if it isn't much over the high, I'll live with it. If it's way out of whack, then we'll have a messy battle

Depending on a/c and any other acc. should be no more than 8 hr.s

Alright Bob, got the book out and looked and here is the low down. Your vehicle in the Mitchell book is listed at 18.5 plus add time of a couple so yes I was way off. Probably why I don't own a shop or I'd put myself in the red. If they have the motor in stock, maybe other items the had to get, but did they give at least a time frame? And if you're wondering I work on the Toyota line of vehicles and never delt with long blocks since they only offer short blocks.....good luck and hopes this eases the pain in the wallet some.

Robert

My local Chevy dealer states in an ad, that labor for a crate install is app. 7 to 9 hours.

Ten days they've had it and we're still sitting here

Good thing we haven't seen a drop of rain and had sunny skies and the golf courses are still open ... getting rich off all the other guides' summer earnings

Could be worse ... I rember this time on the Al Can in a little town called Fort Nelson in early May for over a week ....

Thanks for the info, if anyone else has other guides, that'd be great, but I appreciate the help so far and should have some ground to stand on!

Hello, I just got the bid to do my Gmc Suburban. I know its a diffrent motor a 5.7. Still a new engine. I am having a very good shop do the work. they said the engine is 2700.oo new. It would be 1000.oo to put it in. There hourly rate is 65.00 an hour. They gave this in a written estimate. I know that there is the ac, anitfrezze, oil, tranny fluid for auto trans., and alot of little things. I hope this gives you an idea of what is cost on the lower 48. I asked around before I gave them the ok for the new engine. There price was in the ball park. They did not break down hours and parts but they do alot of these so I am sure they make money at this price. Mine should take 2 days after they get the engine, they had to order it. It a bummer to put a new one. They got you by the @alls when your rig is there shop and you need it fixed.----Good luck and keep fishing

bigbait, do you know how do to cvc joints and changinf the thing that keeps the tire on? i dont know the name, i have a 94' nissan which i recently totalled and in the process of rebuilding...if so, do you work on them part time for xtra cash?

Sorry BB75, wish I could help you out, but if any consolation, probably a whole lot cheaper and time efficient to get a rebuilt axle. All it take would be to R&R the axle and always remember to replace the axle seal too. I usually tell people I could work on their vehicle when fishing season is over, course then they find out that my fishing season last all year round......

Robert