How many billable hours to change cam and heads?

[TurboChris]

On my 66 Fairlane, I'm seriously considering upgrading the Edlebrock heads and cam to TFS and a custom grind. The thought of going from 500 hp to 600+ is VERY appealing. I would consider doing it myself but I already work 10 hour days and my list is way too long. It'd end up taking forever. Gonna hit up my local classic Ford performance shop

My question is for those who know, how many billable hours should I be expecting to be quoted?

My shock towers have been shaved about an inch so that's helpful.

[My427stang]

I don't have an old parts and time guide that would be accurate, but I'd say, most guys are going to run from that job.

Cam change in the car, cleaning surfaces, degree, rocker patterns, valve clearance, pushrod measuring, header bolts, intake fitting, all done pretty easily on the stand but not nearly as much fun in the car  Not to mention dropping the pan or using the little repair gasket that comes with the timing set is just a little goofy for a real nice build.

If no issues, a day job plus parts with the engine on the stand, if paying to pull the engine, I'd say 4-6 hrs to pull, 8 hrs to prep, clean and assemble (plus chasing parts) and an 8 hr day to get it in and running.  Likely parts to chase in the middle mean it would be a week or so job.

[mike7570]

Headers don’t have to leave the engine compartment so that’s a plus. Water pump radiator and front grill for cam, top end for heads. I would pull it apart and clean up in one day, get a good nights rest and have it all back together the next day. I don’t know how many hours, it depends on how much beer is in the refrigerator!

[TurboChris]

Thanks guys!

[DuckRyder]

I haven't done it in a Faiirlane but i'm with Ross. Ive done it in a truck and I would take the motor out if i had to do it again. 

[Rory428]

Depending on the existing build, it may be more involved that a simple replacement of parts. When I replaced my original Cobra Jet heads on my 428, with a new set of TFS heads, when I checked various things, I found the the exhaust valves on the TFS heads, were not in the same location, and did not allow  adequate piston to valve clearance with the original pistons. The valve notches in the pistons needed to be enlarged outwards, to allow enough radial clearance for the valves. Not to mention, a different cam may also effect piston to valve clearance. If the engine is in the car, how would you plan to address such a situation? As mentioned, what if the new heads don`t allow the intake manifold to fit properly? TFS heads have taller rocker stand bosses, how will the geometry and pushrod problems be addressed? Pretty difficult to try to do a labor quote, when you have no idea when potential extra steps and parts may be required to do a good job. You MAY get away with just slapping a new pair of heads and a different cam in the existing engine, but it can be a slippery slope.

[FrozenMerc]

I would only take on that job as a "Time and Materials" deal.  Rough estimate would be around 20 hrs, but lots of unknowns as others have previously pointed to. Hell, I would probably have an hour or 2 into just removing / reinstalling the master cylinder and bleeding the brakes as it doesn't look like a head (or the motor) is getting pulled with that in there.  So, if I get it done in 16, you get a cheaper bill, if it takes 24 hours, not as much.

The motor is definitely coming out.  I have done head gaskets in chassis on a few Dentside trucks, and yuck. 

[e philpott]

you can throw that book time out the window or maybe triple it might be close, no professional shop is going to want to do that job for flat rate with non original parts and you don't want someone trying to "beat" the book for flat rate either