thats it, i'm selling the PI's!

[RysRed96GT]

mother****er!!!! i got an estimate from a mechanic a month ago for doing the headswap for 500 bucks. i figured it was a great price so i didnt shop around. it's been a month because he kept putting me off, and also because there was a car there to which the owner hasnt come and picked it up, so i couldnt get mine in there. so i waited for a month. finally i call the guy and he says he talked to the mechanic and it and said its much more complex then he thought. he gave me a price for over 1000 bucks. i just hung up. i dont get it. he told me they swapped heads on similiar year mustangs all the time. how is this so different? only thing different is changing the heat transfer tube and drilling the tap. so now i gotta call around more places now and find a shop. if i had a damn garage i would do it myself right now. i got the heads really cheap and i really dont wanna sell them but im sick and tired of waiting and having people **** with me. what should i do?

PS. if anyone wants to come to baltimore and help me do this, i'll pay handsomely.

 

[RysRed96GT]

also, how much would a used 99 motor cost? im debating on selling the heads and using that money, coupled with the money i saved for labor and other money for a new motor instead.

 

[pinski]

mother****er!!!! i got an estimate from a mechanic a month ago for doing the headswap for 500 bucks. i figured it was a great price so i didnt shop around. it's been a month because he kept putting me off, and also because there was a car there to which the owner hasnt come and picked it up, so i couldnt get mine in there. so i waited for a month. finally i call the guy and he says he talked to the mechanic and it and said its much more complex then he thought. he gave me a price for over 1000 bucks. i just hung up. i dont get it. he told me they swapped heads on similiar year mustangs all the time. how is this so different? only thing different is changing the heat transfer tube and drilling the tap. so now i gotta call around more places now and find a shop. if i had a damn garage i would do it myself right now. i got the heads really cheap and i really dont wanna sell them but im sick and tired of waiting and having people **** with me. what should i do?

PS. if anyone wants to come to baltimore and help me do this, i'll pay handsomely.

That sucks ryan, but if you ever decide to sell them, shoot me a pm.

 

[bierbelly]

Oh, so he found out it's a 4.6 and not a 5.0 huh? The general rule is about 20 hrs work. Multiply that by his hourly rate (usually about $50/hr)...why should he take a $500 beating for you, just because he misquoted. Just be thankful he didn't get half way into the job and then tell you. My HS cost $1200 for labor, and I think the wrench who did it won't do any more. It is a major PITA. At least you got the heads cheap. It IS worth the money, though. Big kick in the pants.

 

[GelatiCruiser]

Bummer.

 

[mrvax]

Heck, my HS install cost $1500, including a few gaskets and very high NYS tax.
Total cost was $3000.

Here labor is 70-75 an hour and they mulitply the headswap for 19 hours. It's a PITA.

Call that guy back up, apologise and offer to help. Get a firm price before starting.

 

[gruntman31]

I got mine done for $400 by a backyard mechanic I knew. The motor took a dump on me 2 weeks after the swap was finished. He had gotten dirt inside the motor. My setup was nice, too. Ported heads, crower cam regrinds(.275 dur @.050 lift). The moral is: You get what you pay for. Don't be afraid to spend $1000 to get it done right. It'll save you major headaches in the long run.

Oh, BTW I've still got the cams if anybody wants them. They're in perfect condition. I actaully sent them back to crower to be inspected for damage and to be super polished. PM for a price.

 

[RysRed96GT]

im actually thinking of just renting a garage and doing it myself. i know exactly how to. plus i'll have people who already did it helping me out.

 

[Yellow4.6]

The guy thats doing mine is charging $500 for the install. Thankfully all he deals w/ is Modular motors, he mostly builds 4V motors and he races a 9 sec. 4V Cobra. So he's very capable and i fully trust him.

I'd keep the heads and find someone alittle more reasonable that has done a few. I could see charging 1k 2-3 yrs when they first starting doing this, but not now

BTW: I'm looking for some windsor (99-00) valve covers if anyone has any?

 

[bierbelly]

I could see charging 1k 2-3 yrs when they first starting doing this, but not now

What, it takes less time now than it did 2-3 years ago? Time is money.

 

[Halcyon_Dolour]

I had a local guy do it for $500 on the side. No problems what so ever.

 

[JonJon]

I wish places would know WTF they're talking about before giving out quotes

 

[2k2SilverBullet]

for close to 3grand u could have gotten a 4v

 

[COramprat]

also, how much would a used 99 motor cost? im debating on selling the heads and using that money, coupled with the money i saved for labor and other money for a new motor instead.

I've seen crate 99+ motors for $2k. Used ones will go for less. That is why I don't plan to do a headswap on mine. I'll just spend the cash on a newer motor and install myself.

 

[RysRed96GT]

thanx for the info. would u happen to know how much a new or used shortblock would cost? i might as well just put the PI's on a new block and start from that instead of selling the heads, then buying a new motor when i already have the heads and intake.

 

[matsm21]

check out karkraft.com, they have good prices.

 

[stangman]

try www.stangparts.com too i'm sure you could find a decent deal on a used shortblock there

 

[MadMarquis]

A lead on an engine

Just got a notice of someone selling a 4.6 from a p71 police cruiser near me, intake to oil pan. It's from a 99 Crown Vic. They say it has a bad rod and piston. I'll let anyone have it for $500 if I get a hold of it for a good price. A little boring would give you a nice shortblock. Would you consider swapping it for those heads?

 

[Sam98]

also, how much would a used 99 motor cost? im debating on selling the heads and using that money, coupled with the money i saved for labor and other money for a new motor instead.

If you shop around, you can probably pick up a used 99+ GT motor for around $1000, but it will probably cost another $2000 to get it installed...

 

[asthmaticZeater]

those labor charges are rediculous. 20hrs of labor? come on now. when i replace dmy headgaskets (basicly teh same damn job as a headswap) it took me 12 hours. that includes plenty smoke breaks and bull****ting with my buddys when they stoppe dby. not to mention it was my 1st time taking the heads off of anything except a lawnmower.

the second time i removed them (from one of my headgaskets being bad) it took me a lil over 8hrs.

the job isnt that hard at all.