Community Forums

nehuge · 01-16-2018, 09:48 AM

How many hours do you guys think it would take on a 1995 Class A Motorhome on the F53 Ford Chassis with a 460 for the following...

Power steering pump is at its end.

Figure while I'm in there I do:

Water Pump
Alternator
Thermostat
Idler pulleys, tensioner if there is one
Serpentine belt
Radiator hoses and the little ones that go to the cooler, etc.

What's your take on this on how long it would take? Once you're

First shop quote was $3,000, and that was with me supplying the water pump, alternator and thermostat! They had 2.5 hours down to replace serpentine belt. what....?

I await my other quotes as well as your input.....

MSHappyCampers · 01-16-2018, 09:56 AM

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Not a mechanic so can't comment on this! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

ThomB · 01-16-2018, 10:00 AM

Sounds like the shop you went to is going by the book hours like a dealer would. You may be better off finding a shop that will say "I can do all that for $X" and not try to say replacing a belt is 2.5 hours when their tech can probably do it in 30 minutes with their break included.

Your level of comfort in the matter is also something I can't answer. Consider the age and where you have been? Is there rust everywhere in the engine bay? If so maybe leave that to a shop. I have done plenty of small work that turned into large work when bolts and stuck components didn't allow the job to go as smooth as my mind thought it would be.

Cooperhawk · 01-16-2018, 10:03 AM

Since it's older technology, if you are at all mechanically inclined, why not try. Nothing too complicated. Otherwise find a small shop that will just do the work by the actual hour.

PJStough · 01-16-2018, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nehuge

How many hours do you guys think it would take on a 1995 Class A Motorhome on the F53 Ford Chassis with a 460 for the following...

Power steering pump is at its end.

Figure while I'm in there I do:

Water Pump
Alternator
Thermostat
Idler pulleys, tensioner if there is one
Serpentine belt
Radiator hoses and the little ones that go to the cooler, etc.

What's your take on this on how long it would take? Once you're

First shop quote was $3,000, and that was with me supplying the water pump, alternator and thermostat! They had 2.5 hours down to replace serpentine belt. what....?

I await my other quotes as well as your input.....

$3000 is not an insignificant amount of money, but after getting some estimates of various repairs to my 1999 Chevy Blazer, this quote doesnt seem out of line. To me, the deciding factor whether I would tackle the project myself, is how easy is the access to the front of the motor.

Hgrace56 · 01-16-2018, 10:15 AM

What kind of warranty do you offer yourself?

Mr_D · 01-16-2018, 10:24 AM

That is a job I'd tackle and I'm not a mechanic.

98FPA · 01-16-2018, 10:28 AM

nehuge, I have a 97 Ford F53 with a 460 and I had pretty much the same things done in 2015 with the exception of the alt., waterpump, thermostat, and power steering pump not being replaced. I did not think I could handle this project without more tools, etc. that I would need. I had a local repair shop do mine and the total bill was $945.00. They charged $125.00/hr. I furnished the belts and radiator hoses. While they had my MH I had them do a coolant change, LOF, and replace the heater hoses. Yeah, I probably could have saved some bucks but I just did not think I was capable of doing this project. I'm not sure your 460 would take the same belts and radiator hoses as mine but if you need to know what mine takes I can get you the information. As for the power steering pump, that was another challenge, Ford shows that as being an obsolete part and most parts houses did not have it. Nearly everyone said that you would have to have it sent in for repaired. I do not know if a good hydraulic shop would be able to do this but I think I would give it shot if you need one. There are some really knowledgeable Ford people on the forum so perhaps they will chime in as well.

Ken.

Hit_the_Rhod · 01-16-2018, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nehuge

How many hours do you guys think it would take on a 1995 Class A Motorhome on the F53 Ford Chassis with a 460 for the following...

Power steering pump is at its end.

Figure while I'm in there I do:

Water Pump
Alternator
Thermostat
Idler pulleys, tensioner if there is one
Serpentine belt
Radiator hoses and the little ones that go to the cooler, etc.

What's your take on this on how long it would take? Once you're

First shop quote was $3,000, and that was with me supplying the water pump, alternator and thermostat! They had 2.5 hours down to replace serpentine belt. what....?

I await my other quotes as well as your input.....

Drive it to Kentucky, and I'll do it for $500.00! Better yet, drive it here, and I'll help you do the repairs for nothing!

Quote was probably at book hours, and each item taken as a completely separate repair and hours added up. For Example, the water pump, idler pulley, and alternator will all require you to remove the serpentine belt. But if they figured the hours as if they were going in and:

ONLY R & Replace the PS pump
put it all back together and
ONLY replacing the water pump
put it all back together and
hours to ONLY replace the alternator
put it all back together
and ONLY replace the idler pulley
put it all back together
and ONLY replace the tensioner
put it all back together and
ONLY replace the serpentine belt
put it all back together and
ONLY replace the hoses

each of these repairs, hours added up will add up to a LOT of hours, but in reality, most of them will all happen at the same time,

remove serpentine belt
remove thermostat
replace thermostat
R & R water pump
R & R PS pump
R & R Alternator
R & R idler pulley's and tensioner
then last replace serpentine belt

The hours would add up to a LOT less!

Also, did their estimate include a radiator flush and new antifreeze, or were they going to capture what they could and just pour it back in . . . and was the water they were going to add distilled water, or heavy mineral tap water? Just thinking out loud!

I'm guessing 5 to 6 shop hours plus the cost of all the parts would be a fair estimate, so since they were only providing the belt, idler pulley's and tensioner and hoses (and possibly antifreeze), with you providing the water pump, alternator, and thermostat, a fair price would be in the neighborhood of $700 to $1000 in my book depending on the cost of the PS pump.

$3,000.00 sounds like the shop's owner want's top buy his 2nd mistress a new fur coat.

Bahamaniac · 01-16-2018, 10:35 AM

I would do it myself. As long as the weather would dictate a reasonable climate.

**TonyDi** · 01-16-2018, 10:39 AM

Judging from the time it will take them to replace your serpentine belt. I would say they have a college tuition payment due soon.
I am not a mechanical person, but I believe all those projects are within my capability assuming you can get to the front of the engine easily. Three thousand dollars for a few hours labor?
Good luck and Happy Trails!!!

Sweetbriar · 01-16-2018, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bahamaniac

I would do it myself. As long as the weather would dictate a reasonable climate.

Same for me. I'd even consider pulling the radiator and send it out for cleaning which will make the job that much easier with direct access to the front of the engine. Two weekends tops. Three if the weather doesn't cooperate unless you have a garage to work in.

twinboat · 01-16-2018, 11:20 AM

The 460 water pump uses long bolts that go thru the timming cover to the block.

With that old an engine, there is a chance that some of the bolts could snap. Then the right thing to do is pull the timming cover to get them out. That could add a few hours to the job.

Maybe he's bidding the job for the worst case senerio and will charge less if things go good. Talk to him.