Thanks.  I agree the situation could be much worse.  I have not had heated
arguments with AVP about this topic.  The difference is about $80 which
would feel nicer in my pocket.

Thanks
Ed

On Thu, 15 Apr 1999, The Bus Depot wrote:

> > Do all the pros do the headgaskets without pulling the engine?
>
> No, it can be done either way.  The shop that we refer to (which is the best
> in the area) used to do them in the van but now pulls the engine.  However,
> this is for logistical reasons only.  They only have 2 lifts, and if they
> pull the engine someone can be working on it without the van tying up a
> lift.  They would be the first to say that the job can be done well either
> way,
>
> > Is the average time for a pro 3+ hours to do the job from start to finish?
>
> Considering that the job was just done and therefore should be faster than
> usual (unlikely to find unexpected surprises such as frozen bolts, cracking
> water hoses, etc.), 3-4 hours for one side is probably in the ballpark.
>
> > Is your hour rate $36 an hour?
>
> They were $34.50 but just recently went up to closer to $45.  A couple years
> ago I'd have guessed that $36 was about right. Now I'd say it's slightly on
> the low side.
>
> For what it's worth, my experience with AVP has always been first-rate.
> They're honest folks and they stand behind their product.  An unscrupulous
> rebuilder would never have admitted that there was a problem with the gasket
> in the first place, instead blaming overheating, faulty installation, etc.,
> in the hope that you would go away.  It would have been difficult to "prove"
> otherwise, and while you could have sued, etc., getting them to make good
> would have cost more than fixing it yourself.  Believe it or not, rebuilders
> that think this way are not at all uncommon in this business.   A more
> typical rebuilder would have admitted the defect but required you to "return
> the engine to them for repair or replacement," thus leaving you in the lurch
> for both labor and shipping costs.  Again, they'd be hoping that you'd opt
> to fix the problem out of pocket rather than have to ship the engine back.
> Few other rebuilders would have been so quick to admit the defect much less
> offer to reimburse labor.  It seems to me that AVP is standing behind their
> product as well as could reasonably be expected.  The only quibble is
> whether their time and labor estimate is accurate, which is a minor issue
> compared to the ordeal you'd be facing if you'd dealt with a less reputable
> outfit.
>
> - Ron Salmon
>  The Bus Depot
>  http://www.busdepot.com
>