I call BS...cost to replace 307

[ReagansRollsRoyce]

My main bearing on my '87 FWB is shot at 128K. 3 different mechanics say so. Car has no rust, clean underside, and a lot invested in new parts over 4 years.

I took it to the guy I always go to for tough jobs. Thus far he has always been reliable and has never charged me unless something was done properly.

He wants to put a Jasper remanufacutued 307 in and claims the total cost of this adventure is going to be... $4500. He claims the car does not appear to need a new tranny.

He claims that Jaspers are the "only engines he would trust."

As far as I can tell, all Jaspers are are the most expensive remanufactured engines. They appear to cost about $1200 more than any other remanufactured 307.

I'm tempted to call Major BS on his part and never trust him on anything again. I had more in mind the $2500-3000, $3500 tops range for this replacement.

If you were me, what would you do?

1. Take down the at least 5 companies online that sell remanufactured 307s and present him with the prices, and insist that he use a cheaper engine from there or go get one from the junkyard.

2. Take the car elsewhere since he's trying to screw me and try to get a better price overall.

3. Take the car out to the pasture and shoot it...meaning either offer it for sale as parts on here, somewhere else, junkyard it, or try to sell it to a sucker.


Assume:
1. You COULD afford the $4500 if you had to but would probably get rid of the car rather than spend that much. At some point, rediculous trumps sentimental.
2. You definitely do not have the skills to put in the new engine yourself.


Thanks.

[Cadillac Giovanni]

That does sound like a lot, especially for just a 307. You live in Connecticut, right? Here's an option...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/86-89...spagenameZWDVW

I've seen this engine on Ebay for a long time, and I'd hate to see it go to waste. They price has gone down steadily, and no one has bid on it at all. You have to pick it up yourself, but It's only in Jersey. You may be able to arrange something easily.

He says 44k on the engine, but we don't really know. For 250, it's not that big of a risk...

I have another option, let me look it up for you...

http://hiperformer.com/engines/cadil...ld_307rlb.html

I don't know anyone specifically who's gotten an engine from them, but feedback seems to be very positive, and they're affordable. They also buy your engine back as a core to lighten the load.

Ultimately, It's up to you, but I'd probably look into that $250 unit in Jersey.

[Technochef]

4500 for an engine and install. WOW. thats Straight STUPID. hes f**ckin you in the ass hard no lube no warning.

you can get a reman 307 for way cheaper. like 1200 and you got a damn good one. at least in vegas you can. id tell him if he likes jasper so much buy the car and fix it himself.

[jayoldschool]

Way too much. More than the value of the car! (I know, sentimentality...)

Why not get the engine rebuilt? If it is a main, you could get away with new oversized mains and having the crank turned.

I would start talking to other mechs...

Might want to PM 1990CaddyBrougham... he might have a 307 for you up in MA...

[1990CaddyBrougham]

You could
A: give it to me
Or
B: I have a 90 Brougham with 77k miles on it, parts car, for frame rot reasons, and a bad motor mount. Give me $200 (thats what the junkyard is going to give me for scrap) and take the car and use the motor. Complete nose is off the car for easy motor changing and pulling access. Starts and runs everytime, even though it has been sitting being picked apart for the last 2 years. If the 307 went in my 90 there is no question id use this motor. And look, your a state below me.

[1990CaddyBrougham]

My buddy Jay, your good!

[jayoldschool]

See? I told you he would hook you up! Paypal him some $$, make arrangements to get your new car home! After the motor has been taken out, throw the bad one between the frame rails, then flip it for scrap. The motor won't cost you a dime!

Call your guy, and ask him a price and hours for a re/re on the motor if you supply everything. Before you agree, call a GM dealer and ask what "book time" is on the same job. You will quickly see if he is screwing you. Also, offer him cash, since the used motor won't have a warranty.

[ReagansRollsRoyce]

I knew he was full of it. I just wanted to hear it from you guys.

Hiperformance was the name I had heard tossed around too. It looks like you have to swap over the "engine accessories" from the old engine...I have had a bunch of leaks repaired(intake manifold, oil pan, etc) over time on the old engine...the rear main seal had a slow leak...so could a swap like that go through okay if I went with hiperformance?

1990Brougham. thanks, but I live in a highrise apartment building in the middle of a city and my FWB lives in an underground garage (I own one parking spot) so I'd have no place to put your parts car. And the engine job is something I can't do myself.

Unless it could be arranged to take your car to the/a mechanic's place, not my place. I don't have a trailer or towtruck or anything either. I'd have to send AAA Plus for your car hahaha.

[ReagansRollsRoyce]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

See? I told you he would hook you up! Paypal him some $$, make arrangements to get your new car home! After the motor has been taken out, throw the bad one between the frame rails, then flip it for scrap. The motor won't cost you a dime!

Call your guy, and ask him a price and hours for a re/re on the motor if you supply everything. Before you agree, call a GM dealer and ask what "book time" is on the same job. You will quickly see if he is screwing you. Also, offer him cash, since the used motor won't have a warranty.

I believe I would go elsewhere then...because he has a policy of not accepting customer supplied parts under any circumstances. At first this was no problem, I wasn't going to go out and buy an oil pan, and I change bulbs and plugs and such myself, but now I see where this is really just a way for him to make you pay through the nose.

[1990CaddyBrougham]

Or you could just take the parts car right to whomever isnt going to rape you on the work, have him pull the motor from my creampuff, and then do what jay said, dump your old motor back in and call the scrapyard to pick it up from your mechanic. Wont have to see your house. And also like Jay said, its almost be a free motor if you get the scrap money from the bone yard. Just pay to get it towed down. Maby even AAA Plus if you have it. Then the cost of the swap. Like i said, my car i took the nose off of, so to take the motor out and access everyting will be cake.

[ReagansRollsRoyce]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

Why not get the engine rebuilt? If it is a main, you could get away with new oversized mains and having the crank turned.

I thought about getting it rebuilt...would that be much cheaper than a reman?

And it would it take a lot more time (The Arse-Rapist said the engine switch would take 3-5 days including shipping of the engine).?

[ReagansRollsRoyce]

Originally Posted by 1990CaddyBrougham

Or you could just take the parts car right to whomever isnt going to rape you on the work, have him pull the motor from my creampuff, and then do what jay said, dump your old motor back in and call the scrapyard to pick it up from your mechanic. Wont have to see your house. And also like Jay said, its almost be a free motor if you get the scrap money from the bone yard. Just pay to get it towed down. Maby even AAA Plus if you have it. Then the cost of the swap. Like i said, my car i took the nose off of, so to take the motor out and access everyting will be cake.

I will get back to you on PM about this tomorrow (Thurs) pending a few other answers here and other mechanics I can get ahold of tomorrow morning. I understand you may end up selling it in the meantime, that's life.

[1990CaddyBrougham]

Originally Posted by ReagansRollsRoyce

I believe I would go elsewhere then...because he has a policy of not accepting customer supplied parts under any circumstances. At first this was no problem, I wasn't going to go out and buy an oil pan, and I change bulbs and plugs and such myself, but now I see where this is really just a way for him to make you pay through the nose.

He makes money on the parts. He gets them cheaper Vs. the geneal public. Geat a % discount. He can easily mark it up also.

[1990CaddyBrougham]

Let me know. Car aint going anywhere soon. It will be scrapped soon, but not within the next month.

[ReagansRollsRoyce]

What really ticks me is that the bearing went at 128K. I thought these 307s were famous for lasting and lasting. I took good care of it, too. I thought I would at least make it to 200K without the need for some kind of rebuild.