good price for head gaskets

[kendl77]

I have a problem with my car shooting white smoke out of the exhaust after about 30 seconds of being started...ive narrowed it down to the head gaskets. I was going to put some new ones on myself but although i know a little about cars i dont think im ready for the job...what would be a good price to have them put on at a shop or by a mechanic..whats too high and whats a good price

 

[455rocket]

What car & motor?

 

[kendl77]

What car & motor?

its a 83 cutlass with a chevy 350 in it

 

[455rocket]

What car & motor?

its a 83 cutlass with a chevy 350 in it

Assuming there is no smog on it, I would charge just under $700 at my shop. Includes resurface and thats @ $55 an hour.

 

[monte olrac]

Questions:

1. Can you adjust rocker arms and install some push rods?

2. Do you know how to remove a intake manifold?

3. Do you know how to install a distributor and time your motor?

4. Can you remove/install the exhaust manifold and some new spark plugs?

5. Do you have access to a torque wrench and new head bolts?

If you said yes to all of the questions then you can install you own head gaskets, but i would take the heads to a machine shop to get them surfaced.

 

[kendl77]

Questions:

1. Can you adjust rocker arms and install some push rods?

2. Do you know how to remove a intake manifold?

3. Do you know how to install a distributor and time your motor?

4. Can you remove/install the exhaust manifold and some new spark plugs?

5. Do you have access to a torque wrench and new head bolts?

If you said yes to all of the questions then you can install you own head gaskets, but i would take the heads to a machine shop to get them surfaced.

how much would a machine shop charge me to surface them

 

[monte olrac]

probaby about 60 - 70 bucks

 

[Veltboy618]

What does resurfacing the heads do?

 

[pontiacgp]

makes sure the surface is flat and has the right finish for the type of material and gasket used