Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon
Forum Index -> Vanagon Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
JonCrop101
Samba Member


Joined: November 17, 2017
Posts: 3
Location: Tucson
JonCrop101 is offline 

PostPosted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 4:38 pm    Post subject: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

My 2.3 go westy failed due to overheat. How many labor hours should I expect a shop to charge to put a new go westy engine in? 1985 vanagon westfalia automatic trans...
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
hdenter
Samba Member


Joined: October 14, 2008
Posts: 2749
Location: San Luis Obispo, CA
hdenter is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 1:19 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

Well, I would say 1.5-2 hours to get the engine out and on the ground. 3 hours or so to swap over accessories (distributor, compressor, plenum...). An other 1.5 hours to get it back in. Provided all the accessories are in good order and the engine can fire right up, an other 1.5 hours to fill coolant, break in cam/lifters, adjust timing etc. Unfortunate problems like thermostat housing studs breaking and rusty bolts on exhaust could add on more time... So, about 8 hrs would be my guess.

Hans
_________________
'79 triple white convertible bug
'84 sunroof vanagon
'85 weekender
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Classifieds Feedback
CdnVWJunkie Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: February 01, 2004
Posts: 1107
Location: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
CdnVWJunkie is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 3:29 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

hdenter wrote:
Well, I would say 1.5-2 hours to get the engine out and on the ground. 3 hours or so to swap over accessories (distributor, compressor, plenum...). An other 1.5 hours to get it back in. Provided all the accessories are in good order and the engine can fire right up, an other 1.5 hours to fill coolant, break in cam/lifters, adjust timing etc. Unfortunate problems like thermostat housing studs breaking and rusty bolts on exhaust could add on more time... So, about 8 hrs would be my guess.

Hans


I would echo this portion of the statement and this issue is more prevalent in some regions... like mine. If your van is an AZ unit then these issues aren't likely to be a problem. I would agree if all went well 8-10 hrs. It certainly helps if the shop has T3 experience.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
MarkWard
Samba Member


Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17014
Location: Retired South Florida
MarkWard is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 5:02 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

From start to finish, I would expect it to take a week. I would have to be pretty hungry to agree to swap an engine into a 32 year old vanagon in a day. Main effort would be spent on insuring it did not overheat again.
_________________
☮️
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
djkeev
Samba Moderator


Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32433
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
djkeev is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 5:34 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

The FAQ's hold a tremendous amount of information within its pages.....

For example..... page 60-14 LONG BLOCK RENEW

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=670560&sid=0ae4ff47ba48d424ea673473473b2f27

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
DanHoug
Samba Member


Joined: December 05, 2016
Posts: 4717
Location: Bemidji, MN
DanHoug is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 5:57 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

i'm with Mark Ward on this one... is your van really in great, tip top shape where the only thing you need to do is 'simply' replace the engine?

fuel lines, coolant lines, ground repair, cleaning, wiring harness repair, throttle switch repair, AFM cleaning, repainting of the bits that are being reused, new radiator (a must with a new engine), starter/alternator overhaul, and well gosh, this list goes on.

my advice, which there are good reasons to ignore, is to buy an engine hoist for $200, add an engine leveler for $50, a set of tools for $200, and go for it yourself. you'll take the time to do everything that is necessary, you'll learn about the antique vehicle you own and operate, *maybe* save some money (tho this will be offset with everything you are buying to replace), and spend a huge amount of time on it that you couldn't afford to pay a mechanic for.

you're driving a 33 year old vehicle. no one gets away for free!

-dan
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
djkeev
Samba Moderator


Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32433
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
djkeev is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 6:02 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

Agree with Dan! ^^^^

On my Van IF I had to install a long block, the work would be minimal because of all the work already performed. But in most Vans, there are days and days of work and hundreds if not thousands of dollars in parts needed to do it correctly.

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert


Last edited by djkeev on Wed Feb 14, 2018 6:48 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
dougass
Samba Member


Joined: December 13, 2016
Posts: 300
Location: NJ
dougass is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 6:15 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

My guess that a shiop with experience would say 2-3days labor PLUS a few $100 for hardware, hoses, gaskets, fluids, ect along the way.
_________________
'91 GL - 2.1 automatic named Klaus for weekend adventures.

#klausvan & @thisisklausvan
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Ahwahnee
Samba Member


Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 9776
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
Ahwahnee is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 6:57 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

I did this - had a shop replace my 1.9 with a GoWesty rebuild.

It was not a VW specialist but they had worked on VWs before. They removed the old engine, swapped the usual ancillaries, stripped and crated it in the same box as the GW engine arrived in and did the install.

I had them replace fuel lines, clutch kit, and motor mounts while they were there.

They took particular care removing the manifolds to avoid breaking any studs as that would typically get you dinged on your core charge.

They billed me for 8 hours which I thought was quite fair.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.


It does (or at least did) reduce shipping costs each way by having the engine delivered and picked-up at their (commercial) address.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
dobryan
Samba Member


Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16474
Location: Brookeville, MD
dobryan is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 7:00 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

^^^^^ That was a VERY low charge for the work, it must have gone very smoothly. Good for you! Very Happy
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson

MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646

Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371

The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
bobbyblack Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: May 21, 2015
Posts: 4333
Location: United States, Iowa
bobbyblack is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:11 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

Not sure on how to give advice on this.

#1, overheated... This could be bad enough to break the thermostat housing.
#2, how long has the previous GW engine been in there? Salty roads, # of miles put on, etc, please?
#3, do you presently do any of the work on your rig on your own? Tools at hand? Physical abilities?


I have gotten (non WBX) engines out of VW's in less than half an hour (8 minutes was our team record -- me+my brother on a '67 splitty), replaced main seal and transmission input shaft seal, and had engine back in and started in 2 hours total. But, that was when I was a kid, and all my limbs worked as new. Also, NO coolant lines to deal with, etc.

Now days, a full remove of an engine takes me half a day. I would usually only have half a day of energy in my half century old body, so that would be "all day" really. Next day, I could get the new one back in, again, in half a day.

Being a DIY kind of guy AND needing to be budget conscious, AND needing to NOT OFFEND my mechanic by bringing him stuff he cant really make money on leads me to do things myself.

Having 30 years of tools gathering and VW tinkering has, of course, been the WHY I CAN portion...

Why I do is still a mystery, half crazy seems to be the answer.

Hope you have a good outcome. If able, as always, do whatever you can yourself. Even good mechanics appreciate folks who do what they can on their own, and its a good feeling for everyone. Investing in your self is always a great reward and return on investment is usually very high.

-bobby
_________________
'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Butcher
Samba Member


Joined: December 05, 2015
Posts: 1285
Location: Right Here
Butcher is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 9:33 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

I would spend more time in finding a good shop and just pay what they want.

Finding the lowest bidder sounds like a bad idea. Like Mark mentioned, you would have to be real hungry to take on a job like that. I enjoy what I do so the last thing I want to do is to work on a budget engine swap. I certainly would interview the client carefully to determine if it's something I want to do and if the client was concerned about money, I would pass. If I elected to take on the job, it would be done right and would schedule at least a week to allow me the time to make it right. Way too many pitfalls/quicksand.

What you could do to help the shop is to remove your junk in the back. It sucks to move/remove personal belongings and store them elsewhere in the shop/car.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Classifieds Feedback
MarkWard
Samba Member


Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 17014
Location: Retired South Florida
MarkWard is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 10:05 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

When I take a project on a classic, I charge straight time per hour. Flat rate times are only a reference.

If I was paying someone to do work for me, I'd want to pay for someone to take their time and do it right, not turn it into a Guinness world record attempt.
_________________
☮️
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Abscate Premium Member
Samba Member


Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22568
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
Abscate is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 10:23 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

Skills can do that in 30 minutes.

Your invoice will reflect market rates.
_________________
.ssS!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
61Scout
Samba Member


Joined: November 06, 2011
Posts: 1297
Location: Shoreline/Yakima WA
61Scout is offline 

PostPosted: Wed Feb 14, 2018 10:53 am    Post subject: Re: Labor hours to replace engine with a GoWesty engine 1985 Vanagon Reply with quote

Roughly 10-15hrs, $300 in misc (small parts, fluids and shop supplies), and a weeks worth of time. Parts and laobr could climb if issues are found while performing the work. IIRC, a 1985 Vanagon came with steel coolant pipes. Those really should be replaced if they haven't already, so factor in the cost of the main pipes. If the radiator is contaminated and clogged, then that needs to be replaced too. If the radiator is clogged, then the heater cores could be clogged too. With an overheating situation, all components need to be checked.

Jobs like this should be on the slow burner. It's not something you want to rush doing. Trust me, any shop doesn't want a project sticking around and eating up shop space for a month, but sometimes that's just the way it goes. Sometimes deeper problems are found, finding/waiting on parts can take time, retesting can take time, and so on. The shop will appreciate your patience. Quality shops will be fair on their prices, just make sure to choose a specialist or a shop with a solid reputation working on older vehicles.

Owning a classic ride is like owning an old house. And just like remodeling an old home, an estimate for work is merely a guideline. A contractor can give you an estimate for remodeling a kitchen, including new cabinets, appliances, flooring, etc. But once the work starts there is no turning back. If they open up the walls and find bad electrical, plumbing, framing, etc. those things will need to be addressed for the remodel to be done properly. Classic cars are no different. No one has x-ray vision and can know exactly what it's going to take to perform a repair. This is especially true on a 30+ year old vehicle.

-Kevin
_________________
1986 Westfalia Weekender Wolfsburg, RJE 2.3
1985 Tin Top, Subie 2.2 + 5MT
Floppy Mirrors no more: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=653018&highlight=
Remove the front spindle nut with ease: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679567&highlight=
Remove the rear wheel bearing housing without messing with the big 46mm nut: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=679507&highlight=

-Nec Spe, Nec Metu
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Vanagon All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.