Hey everyone. I just got done rebuilding my D16Y8 in my 97 Civic Ex. I used a 96 block and my 97 head and did all the engine work myself. I took it into a shop to do timing and check my electrical work.

I am just wondering if anyone has book times for doing both a engine rebuild reinstall and a timing belt job. The shop I went to charged me for 10hrs labor to look my work over and fix a couple things with no parts. I am thinking that is a little steep. Thanks in advance for replies!

 

what exactly are they doing??
check timing and what sort of electical work?

 

They just checked all my connections to make sure they all were correct and traced the ones I couldn't figure out. The put on a new timing belt because the old one lost tension somehow. I took it to them with the new engine put in and all the accesories in the trunk so they had to install those all well. I did all the heavy engine work, all that was left was superficial stuff to make sure the car was in running order.

 

Tracing wires can be pretty time-intensive...especially since they were starting fresh. Along with the other things, i dont doubt that it could take that long at a shop. You have to remember that 15 minutes of every hour is smoke/coffee break

 

Ok. Well do you all have an actual book time for doing either a timing belt swap or a engine rebuild? At this shop I bet it's actually like 25 mins per hour for smoke drink breaks. Lol.

 

i agree with schister66

 

So you rebuilt the engine yourself but couldn't put on a timing belt? As far as I know, most shops will charge about 3 hours for a timing belt job, or around $300-400. As far as the wiring goes, that could take a good bit of time depending on what state it was in when you brought it.

 

I couldnt get the harmonic balancer bolt off without air tools which i don't have.

 

I see. Well like I said, most shops I know of charge a grip to change a timing belt. But even with that taking up 3-4 hours labor, I don't see how they could charge another 6-7 hours to check electrical work. But that's how shops make money.

 

shop in town charges about $500 for t belt so thats 5 hours. It doesnt take 5 hours to do the wiring unless it's going to be 2 guys working on your car for 2.5 hours which translates to 5 hours of man labor

 

I had my timing done at the dealership, after I let a friend of a friend replace the headgasket, and they only charged me $250 or so. They also checked valve clearance and a few other things. I know in this situation it would have been difficult, but always try and get some sort of cost down on paper and sign that before you leave your ride with them.

 

250, damn that seems like a good deal.