So I cant seem to win. I am trying to sell my 66 cuz I am getting out of the army and need the cash. Today I was letting her run and some guy wanted to see the motor. I popped the hood and coolant is pouring out from between the timing cover and the block. Tomorrow I have to move out of my house and today I have to finish moving so I have no time to fix it today, and tomorrow I have no where to fix it, the Army has already packed and shipped my stuff so I have no tools to fix it, and all my friends came to me for tools so they dont have any. So long story short I am gonna have to take it to a shop and pay to fix it instead of doing like usual and reading my dummy book and fumbling my way through it. And ideas on what I should expect to pay for this and how long it takes to do it? Thanks much!

 

Jeeze, all you need is a set of socket wrenches to do this job, and that'll cost only a fraction of what paying a shop will cost.

 

No, a harmonic balancer puller (at the least) would be required as well...

As far as cost for someone else to do the work, the cover will be about $100, plus labor, I have to imagine that this would be a 4 or 5 hour job flat rate.

I would have to say that this would cost about $300 in a shop... and then you have the issue of getting the part...

Is it possible that it is just a gasket issue?

Although, I have to say that I am 2 for 2 on needing to replace timing covers on old SBFs... (one to corrosion, the other due to corrosion + a crack...

You could be that "other PO" and use a combination JB WELD and STOP LEAK...

 

OK, so another $20 for a puller. That's about 15 minutes of shop time.

 

For a guy who has no tools of his own, limited time, a family who is in need of the time available to him, (BlueOval is in the process of MOVING) doing the repair himself really isn't a practical option.

What we have to think about is BOG working under his carport in the HOT HUMID SE Oklahoma summer, sweat dripping from his brow into his eyes, working with a CHINA socket set and a CHINA adjustable wrench, taking the last LONG bolt out of the water pump, and SNAP... it breaks off in the front of the block.....

Now instead of only needing a "socket set", he needs a drill, some vise grips, a heli coil AND some really good luck...

WE might call this a MISERABLE beginning to a MISERABLE day..

Frankly anymore, If I don't have all of MY tools I need to do a job I don't start the job at all. Call me spoiled...

If it were me, I say EITHER bite the bullet and take it to a shop, or resign yourself to a hokey repair and "patch it up" to meet the desired end. (being honest with the buyer about what should be done to make it right)

This is called practical reality...

 

Maybe I need to add that my plate is a bit full right now with everything else and I dont have the time to do it myself. Time is money, and right now I have more money than time (believe me that aint saying I have alot of either).

 

Bite the bullit and take it to the shop. Whenever I rush a job on my 1966 vert, stuff always goes wrong and a $50 job can turn into a $150 dollar job, plus hours of frustration in the garage and computer. I know you don't want to hear it but take her into the shop.

 

I hear you. Trying to rush things is always bad, and I have pretty bad luck as it is lately, so I dont wanna push it. Plus, I just dont have the time.

She was going to the shop, I just wanted to know what to expect pricewise. Thanks JMD!