Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: perry113 on December 09, 2017, 23:49:36
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I am wondering if anyone might chime in on what you would think would be fair and reasonable times to do the following.
R & I engine for so engine could be rebuilt.
Once the engine is out labor times to fully rebuild.
I have been able to find any published labor times.
I am not factoring in incidentals that may include unknown diagnostic issues that may be uncovered in the process..
I am thinking there are a few out there that do this kind of work.
Many thanks
Peter
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I believe Dr Benz (Dan) has mentioned 40 hours as an estimate. When Joe Alexander and I did mine back in 2003 or so, we didn't keep track but I think it might have been just a bit less than that. Considering Metric Motors sold rebuilt engines for around $6,000 (exchange basis) not that long ago, figuring $2,000 in that for the parts, $4,000 divided by an hourly shop rate of $100 also yields 40, so that's probably a good guess.
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At a little nicer than driver condition level it could be around 40-50 hours. Bringing the entire engine compartment up to show standards could double that.
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So we can agree and I think it is fair to say 40-50 hours for the engine rebuild part of it alone.
Now that being said take it a step further in removal and re-installation of the engine. The complete process. Factoring in some realistic issues and small incidental repairs along the way.
Would it be fair to say the whole job soup to nut is a realistic 80 to 100 hours to do? From start to a turn key engine running finish.
What would profession qualified Mercedes repair and restoration shop say?
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The 40 hour estimate should also cover the things you mention (removal and installation and one or two minor things along the way). You can inquire at a regular shop about cost of removal and installation, and get the engine rebuilt at Metric. Then you know pretty much what it will cost for a job done correctly.
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An engine build isn't necessarily just about hours.......
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An engine build isn't necessarily just about hours.......
I have to agree with Stick .... still this is a very interesting subject and all of us would like to have some idea as to what it takes. Perhaps we can lay it out in the following format (of course only folks that actually engage in this type of work can make those estimates).
First; I would think that removing and reinstall steps of our engine is fairly routine and a range of hours to do this can properly be accurately established, I mentioned range of hours since one i’m Sure needs to allow for the unknown. So Shops that handle this on a regular basis should be in a position to provide a Customer with a fairly accurate estimate.
As for when the engine is on the floor (bolted in the engine support stand) the question of hours I think becomes a bit more difficult since we are dealing with the unknown as to what will be found once the engine is completely disassembled and all parts are cleaned for inspection and measurements. Only after the visual inspection and all measurements are completed will one know what will require to be replaced with new parts, what can be refurbished (and how long this would take) and what can be used as is.
To this end I would think that shops that handle inspection of our engines should be in a position to tell us the estimated hours of 1 to 3 I’ve listed as follows.
1) “Routine Engine Rebuild” a estimate of a routine engine rebuild were only a very minimum of parts are required to do the job.
2) “Minor Engine Rebuild” here an estimate could be made based up on a test drive and pre-inspection tests such as compression tests etc.
3) “Major Engine Rebuild” this might apply to an engine that is not operational and tests such as mentioned in item 2 above are simply not possible.
Again, I would think only professional shops that deal with this kind of work can provide those answers and then it needs to be in a range of hours to allow for continuances. Still then one needs to keep in mind it’s only an estimate.
My 2 cents
Dieter
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Definitely agree Stick, but that is what TS wanted to know. And why I suggested Metric Motors ...
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According to their website, a full rebuild of a long block 280 SE/SL engine at Metric is now $9,900 retail. To which will need to be added shipping and removal/installation, and this assumes your old engine can be rebuilt, otherwise another $2,100 is required (1,100 for cylinder head / $900 for the block / $300 for crankshaft / $200 for camshaft).
Here is the link, which has interesting other information on what is included in the typical rebuild:
http://mercedesengines.net/280sl-se/
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I am talking about billable hours.