Engine Removal Time

Karl

Karl

Well-known member
I would be interested in what people feel is an acceptable time to remove an engine and replace it with a new engine . Have just had the shop do this , the vehicle was in the shop for 3 1/2 weeks and I have received a bill for 23 hours of work They did do it twice as the engine had to come out again after being installed the first time (through no fault of theirs). However the engine swap was all they did No other mechanical work was required . So I guess they are saying 11 1/2 hours for each engine swap :cool:. That sounds rather excessive to me. Am I being Harsh ? I'm no Henry Ford but I'm sure I could have done it quicker than that (and will next time)
 
I'm assuming your car is a finished one by your Avatar. If not and it's a little less important to be careful like a parts car then the answer will be less time. Also does the shop routinely work on early Fords? If the car is pretty and the shop normally does this then a couple hours for out and three to fire up for just a straight swap is a more common time. That's with the engine completely ready to go in. If you dropped it off needing to be finished up with accessories 11 hours is not too far off for a good job. You want them to be careful and detailed. I always figure about a day 8+/- hours if I'm just changing one out*. But there's alot of variables in there-did you change the clutch, change carb, exhaust, plugs wires, dizzy, water pump etc. All of this takes time to do correctly. And the fact they had to do it twice doesn't help either. That's a little over a day each time. Remember if they had to remove the hood, radiator, grill shell, light bar, and re-do the mount each time on a painted car it gets a little dicey and will take longer. Re-aligning all that front stuff can be a real time consumer. Lots of variables for sure and if the shop doesn't do it all the time it's going to take longer. The actual unbolting and re-installing is the easy part. If you can do it yourself you probably should, then there's no question and it's alot more satisfying. Maybe I'm just too slow and meticulous but I hate repairing hangar rash.

But if it runs and drives great now the hood shuts right and the lights all work call it a win and drive the wheels off of it!

Tim
 
WE have removed eng and replaced with a new one in about 3-4hrs start to finish say 3 to 4 people including lighting ,wiring etc ready to drive. your people seem to be a bit high. Happy Holidays www.whidbeymodelaclub.com
 
If the car went to the shop with just the bare engine to be changed then the time is excessive.

On the other hand, if the shop had to remove all the accessories (gen., manifold, dizzy, starter, water pump, etc., not to mention radiator, engine pans, hood, headlight bar, and floor boards then turn around and install all that was removed then the time is not excessive.

I figure, working at a constant pace it's a minimum of eight hours to take a complete Model "A" R&R all the parts plus install the engine.

JD
 
Thanks Guys They did a good job and did have to switch all the ancillaries so perhaps I am being a little critical -Karl
 
23 hours????:eek: and 3 1/2 weeks!!!:confused:

It comes no where close to that to change an engine, even if they have to pull it twice. At most, and i mean the absolute most, it should take no more than 6-8 hours. My 77 year old grandpa gets out there in the shop and can knock one out in about 3 hours. And he is slowww and miticulous. I would go back to the shop and ask for some type of explanation why it took that long, and what they did for every hour they worked on it.
Some one wanted to squeeze every last penny out of you. JMHO
 
Russ/40 said:
Just curious, but why did they do it twice? If you don't mind my asking.
Click to expand...

The reconditioned engine had a missed small rust hole in the back of the block which leaked water when we fillled up the radiator => the fully installed engine had to come out to repair it then it had to go back in again
 
Logan said:
23 hours????:eek: and 3 1/2 weeks!!!:confused:

It comes no where close to that to change an engine, ........
Some one wanted to squeeze every last penny out of you. JMHO
Click to expand...

Maybe - However if so they have done it for the last time.
 
I can usually drive in the shop and have the engine out wile its still warm. 1 hour
By myself. I normaly have the other engine ready to go,less generator...then I get picky putting it back in. I take breaks,neighbors drop in to chat,have to change the radio station,snacks,Tend to whats cooking on the smoker,maybe a nap.
So my 6 hour job turns into all day. 20 years ago a junk yard would charge $200.00 to drop a engine in a old car.
Enjoy your A
Wick
 
11 hrs is not to far off if your working carefully not to make a scratch and doing a professional job. i also assume they don't work on these everyday. yea any hack shop can r&r quicker but i am sure they were being very carefull and thorough. did you get your car back in the same condition that you gave it nicks, scratches etc? if so you were treated fairly in my opinion.
just to add something usually when i do something twice it gets done faster they could have trimmed a couple hours off the second install and at the same time even though it wasn't their fault for having to do it twice it would have made a nice goodwill gesture to you for repeat business..
 
I have a 1 man repair shop, and I tink 11 hrs. is right on for a engine swap. head light bar, radiator, engine pans, alligning the hood CORRECTLY takes time. I also paint the frame rails & front cross member, and all accessories.

mike
 
When I had my 32 coupe with olds engine/39 trans I could pull motor in about an hour, don't ask why. Full fendered, painted car (driver). Maybe 1 1/2 going back together working by myself.
Paul in CT
 
WOW $1300.00 in labor to swap out an engine!

I'm sorry but I just can't see anyone with any mechanical skill, let alone a repair shop, working for 11 1/2 straight hours to remove and replace an engine. They did it twice for a total of 23 hours of labor and no other work to be done to the engine except bolt on the extras.
 
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