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Posted by: Slow Nova

Any one on here have access to any Flat Rate Manuals?

I need some info to fight the mechanic that's working on my boat.

# of hours typically to repair/replace:

Intake Manifold Gasket
Valve cover gasket
Retorque head bolts
Change Distributor Cap, Rotor, Points, & Condenser
Adjust Timing
Replace Battery Cable
Compression Test

All on a Chevy 350 (1967-74).

I brought my boat in because I don't have time to work on it, and it had water in the oil. When I dropped it off, I asked them to find the source of the leak, and change the oil a few times to flush the water out.

They called me back a few days later and told me about all this other work that they had done that I never authorized. I signed some paperwork authorizing them to start working on the engine, and aknowledging liabilities and such.

Now they're trying to stick me with a $1,700 repair bill, and the engine is still leaking water into the oil!!! They still haven't found the root of the problem!

I took the boat to this shop, because they were highly recommended by a few people on a fishing website I belong to. I don't have much experience dealing with mechanics/shops, because I normally do all my own wrenching...

Any feedback would be very much appreciated!

Posted by: Slow Nova

The mechanic's a moron. He said he put 34 hours into the boat, and is charging us for only 1/2. He's not willing to budge on the price.

The owner calls up and says "We run an honest business. Name a price". $850 ($600 labor, $250 parts) was agreed on.

One of the managers called up and said "Pay us the $1,700 or we're keeping your boat!" and hung up.

What the hell kind of games are they playing? I'm heading up to small claims court...

Posted by: Slow Nova

The owner called back, after I got the paperwork for small claims court, and apologized up and down for the actions of the mechanic & manager. He said he'll stick with the agreed amount.

He said my business is welcome there in the future.

We'll see what happens when I pick it up tomorrow morning.

Posted by: skeezix

Intake Manifold Gasket = $30 and 1 hr. of me taking my sweet ass time.

Valve cover gasket = $20 and 1/2 hr. of me taking my sweet ass time.

Retorque head bolts = 65 ft. lbs. and 15 minutes later. (Correction: Forgot to add an hr. for removing the manifolds!

)

Change Distributor Cap, Rotor, Points, & Condenser = 15 minutes when I put the points distributor on the shelf and drop in an HEI unit from one of the billion small blocks from 75-86.
Adjust Timing = 10 minutes of me taking my sweet ass time and a timing light.

Replace Battery Cable = 1/2 hr. and $10 for cable and lugs.

Compression Test = 45 mins. with a compression gauge.

Wish I was nearby, I'd have you geared up within a day.

But, that's what I've heard about marine mechanics/shops. Considering most people that own boats are lawyers and doctors, they can charge and arm and a leg for anything.

Posted by: Slow Nova

So, basically, it took the guy 34 hours to do 3 hours worth of work, plus a few oil changes. that's pretty much what I was expecting.

Posted by: VETTKLR

Damn, Chris. You gonna name her the "Money Pit"?

Posted by: Slow Nova

Quote:

Originally Posted by VETTKLR


	Damn, Chris. You gonna name her the "Money Pit"?

Pretty fitting so far. Since the day I picked it up (August this year), I think it's spent about 5 days in the shop for every 1 day on the water.

Since my cousin Phil owns/operates a marina/boat repair shop in CT, I've been talking to him, and he suggests just throwing a new longblock in there...save myself the headache of pulling the heads, getting them magnafluxed, and probably finding out that the leak is coming from somewhere else. Phil can get me a new longblock, install all the external stuff from the current engine (intake, water pump, alternator, exhaust manifolds, etc), and ship it to me at cost.

Then what I'll do is use the old motor as a learning tool. I've never actually taken a large engine apart. Who knows, maybe while I'm digging into it, I'll find the source of the problem.

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