[JStang00]

My engine died about 1month ago and has been sitting in the shop.

I was originally quoted at $2825.00 for the rebuilt engine and labor.
$1990.00 -- Rebuild V6 3.8L engine from LKQ (delivered to shop)
$835.00 -- Labor (7-8hrs, $145-$165 per hr)

They also said there's between $200 to $300 in parts (engine fluids, sealants, etc)

So before tax I was expecting to pay about $3,000.

I just got a call from the shop and they told me that there's an additional $500 (usually $1000) in transfer time because the rebuilt engine arrived without an oil pan, timing cover, water pump, intake manifold, ac compressor, exhaust, gaskets, etc...

Is that reasonable?

I feel like that should be included in the original $835 that they quoted me at.

I just did some research on how much these parts cost new:
$102 - Oil Pan
$10 - Oil Pan Gaskets
$164 - Timing Cover
$10 - Valve Cover Gaskets
$30 - Water Pump
$40 - Intake Manifold Gasket Set
$110 - AC Compressor
?? - Exhaust?
------
$466

How much time does it take to hook that stuff up?

Should I but these parts new?

Should this all be included in the original labor quote of $835?

[SlowSix]

for 4 grand you might as well do a built 4.2

[ESG-642T]

You like getting ripped off huh?

You could have had a local shop rebuild your motor for 600-800$ and done the labor yourself.

[xtreme 2]

Agreed with Kyle. You can buy a whole new low mileage V6 for a little over $4k. Hell, you can buy a GT with 60k miles for around $5k.

so let me get this straight, they bought a motor from LKQ and are rebuilding it? Or is the $2000 for just a used motor?

I would tell him to let you know when he starts and you will come swap the accessories over. Save yourself $500 and help out in the process.

Honestly, I think I would just cut my losses with that shop and go somewhere else. He can't legal do any work until you approve, so just tell him nevermind.

What exactly happened anyway?

[Froush]

Hell, I bought a donor gt and have everything needed for the v8 swap for about half of what that is. And the car I bought is built. Built 302 stroker with a lot of other goodies =)

[GreenMustang00]

I wouldn't pay 4 grand to swap a motor... Especially a 3.8 lol

[mcqueen]

Have you actually looked at the motor? I had a shop tell me that my wheels were ruined (while in the shop for brake lines/calipers) and they needed to be replaced before they could let the car leave. I wouldn't put it past a shop to buy an engine (no parts missing), say some parts are missing, charge you for the parts, and never do shit but install the engine. And if it really is missing those parts, shit could have gotten in the engine if the intake runners weren't covered.

[JStang00]

Maybe I wasn't clear.

I've already made the following decisions:
1. I'm replacing my engine with a rebuilt 3.8L v6.
-- I plan to keep my car for a while. I'm not buying a new mustang b/c I've put a lot of money into mine already and I like it. Also, $3K divided by 12months is $250 per month. That's about what it costs to lease a new car for 1 year. Except you can't lease a car for one year; I'd have to pay 3K for 3 (or more) years. I expect that after doing this swap my car will be good for another 5+ years.

2. I don't have the time to do it myself. Sure, I could learn but I need my car back ASAP. There's lots of small pieces and I'd surely fuck something up. I work long hours 5days/week and don't know enough about engines to do the swap on weekends. If you want to come to my place in CA and help, sure. Otherwise, I need a shop to do it.

With that said, my question still stands.

How much should it cost for labor to drop a rebuilt engine in my car? Does it really cost $500 more to clean and transfer the parts below?
Oil Pan
Oil Pan Gaskets
Timing Cover
Valve Cover Gaskets
Water Pump
Intake Manifold Gasket Set
AC Compressor
?? - Exhaust?

Thanks.

[JStang00]

Originally Posted by ESG-642T You like getting ripped off huh? You could have had a local shop rebuild your motor for 600-800$ and done the labor yourself.

Dude, nobody likes getting ripped off.

The reason started this thread is so that I DON'T get ripped off.

If you really want to help, give me the number to shop (near San Mateo) that will do this labor for less.

[JStang00]

Originally Posted by xtreme 2 Agreed with Kyle. You can buy a whole new low mileage V6 for a little over $4k. Hell, you can buy a GT with 60k miles for around $5k. so let me get this straight, they bought a motor from LKQ and are rebuilding it? Or is the $2000 for just a used motor? I would tell him to let you know when he starts and you will come swap the accessories over. Save yourself $500 and help out in the process. Honestly, I think I would just cut my losses with that shop and go somewhere else. He can't legal do any work until you approve, so just tell him nevermind. What exactly happened anyway?

No, I bought the rebuilt engine from LKQ. They're installing it.

Honestly I wouldn't know how to swap the parts myself.

I guess the question is HOW MANY HOURS SHOULD IT TAKE TO DO THIS?

[SlowSix]

$145 an hour labor rate is absolutely ridiculous.

[xtreme 2]

You asked what the cost should be, we are telling you A LOT LESS than that.

Mechanic labor should be no more than $75 an hour. 8 hours is a good figure for a motor swap, but their hourly rates are way too high.

Have you physically seen the motor you bought or did they pick it out/up for you? $1990 for a motor with that much missing is WAY too much.

Basically you are saying that you bought a motor that looked like this:

2002 Ford Mustang V6, 3.8 L, 232 CID Rebuilt Engine - Rebuilt Engines Store



Unless the motor was built, vacuum sealed, and delivered to the shop, I would be scared to see what it looks like.

Even for a zero mileage motor, that seems like a lot. But if you already bought the motor, that's beside the point.

From that position in the build, it should take no more than an hour to assemble every other component of the engine. I think you should tell him $250, he is obviously taking advantage of your situation.

If he hasn't started any work yet, I would call around and get some other estimates.

How long is it going to take him to complete that 8 hours of labor? A week? Two?

[stephen]

Originally Posted by JStang00 I just got a call from the shop and they told me that there's an additional $500 (usually $1000) in transfer time because the rebuilt engine arrived without an oil pan, timing cover, water pump, intake manifold, ac compressor, exhaust, gaskets, etc... Is that reasonable? I feel like that should be included in the original $835 that they quoted me at. I just did some research on how much these parts cost new: $102 - Oil Pan $10 - Oil Pan Gaskets $164 - Timing Cover $10 - Valve Cover Gaskets $30 - Water Pump $40 - Intake Manifold Gasket Set $110 - AC Compressor ?? - Exhaust? ------ $466 How much time does it take to hook that stuff up? Should I but these parts new? Should this all be included in the original labor quote of $835?

They should have expected to swap over all those parts from the old engine. There's no need to buy any of those parts new other than the gaskets, which should have come with the rebuilt engine. (The rebuilder had to buy a complete gasket set anyway.) I guess the $835 plus $500 is reasonable for the labor for the whole engine swap. They also need to replace the oil and coolant and should replace various parts like the hoses, serpentine belt etc. for which $200 might be reasonable. Keep in mind that cleaning up all the parts is a time consuming operation.

I would ignore comments on here about putting in a different engine etc. You decided to put in a rebuilt engine, which was a reasonable choice, so go with it.

[GreenMustang00]

shit some mechanics will go up to 100 bucks an hour.. Those are the mechanics that usually would get a job like this done in half the time though.

[stephen]

Also keep in mind that you want everything from the old engine very carefully cleaned up.

If the old engine failed from lack of oil there is likely to be a lot of metal particles inside it. It's probably best if the oil pan, front cover, valve covers and everything else in contact with oil is sent out to a machine shop or parts cleaning service.

[Zatrekaz]

That is a stupid... and I mean STUPID high price.

[fastpony]

Originally Posted by stephen They should have expected to swap over all those parts from the old engine. There's no need to buy any of those parts new other than the gaskets, which should have come with the rebuilt engine. (The rebuilder had to buy a complete gasket set anyway.) I guess the $835 plus $500 is reasonable for the labor for the whole engine swap. They also need to replace the oil and coolant and should replace various parts like the hoses, serpentine belt etc. for which $200 might be reasonable. Keep in mind that cleaning up all the parts is a time consuming operation. I would ignore comments on here about putting in a different engine etc. You decided to put in a rebuilt engine, which was a reasonable choice, so go with it.

Agree'd if the parts on the old block arent bad they can be reused, but the gaskets i wouldnt skimp on. other wise what made the car go back... did it get hot or did it just loose compression?

Sorry to hear about the disabled stang

[88TempoGLS]

Having a bare engine w/o valve covers, oil pan, etc isnt bad. Companies keep them wrapped in plastic, and in a big box so no dirt/contaminents in in the motor. The labor rate is crazy though. We charge 76 bucks an hour, and we usually figure in time for changing over parts into our est. (usually 2 hours tops). You're getting the shaft dude.

[Macunicorn]

Ya that sure is expensive to have that motor swap done. Ouch.
Id rather get a bored and stroked 347 for 5k LOL.

[MustangV6Man?]

Waste of money dude !