Cost to redo valves and headliner

[mamali]

Hi car is a 72 280SE. Wanted to get an idea what a shop may charge to redo valves and seals? It smokes. Headliner is sagging as well. Would like to find out what it would cost to replace the headliner as well. Thanks in advance. I am trying to see if its better to fix and sell or sell her the way she is.

[Mike D]

As always, it depends on the condition of the head/valves. I just had mine done a few months ago and I got lucky. Only three guides needed to be replaced and all the valves/seats were good. $300.00 USD.

Headliner costs are all over the board. Due to the complexity and the need for windscreen seals R&R, I'd guess you're looking at $350.00 minimum plus seals. Labor only. More if you have a sunroof.

[rumb]

To clarify Mike D's response doesnt include the cost to remove and install the heads. He's just talking about the machine shop cost.

Are you going to do your own work or use a shop to do everything?

Of course there is all the while you are there costs; timing chain and guide, head gaskets and other gaskets, replace lots of rubber parts, etc...

I would guess a shop would be $3K minimum, but get estimates.

[mamali]

Mechanic. I asked a shop wanted 2K just to remove and replace the head!!!!

Originally Posted by rumb

To clarify Mike D's response doesnt include the cost to remove and install the heads. He's just talking about the machine shop cost.

Are you going to do your own work or use a shop to do everything?

Of course there is all the while you are there costs; timing chain and guide, head gaskets and other gaskets, replace lots of rubber parts, etc...

I would guess a shop would be $3K minimum, but get estimates.

[Sugar Bear]

Have the correct head gasket and valve stem seals in your hand before removing the head and possibly all new guides.

The 280SE often smoked due to ring problems. Does it smoke only on start-up? If yes it's probably valve seals. If it smokes most of the time it's probably the rings. The rings were less often the problem on carbureted versions.

Good luck!!!

[Frank Reiner]

Originally Posted by mamali

I am trying to see if its better to fix and sell or sell her the way she is.

1) You have indicated that the car is not for your personal use.

2) Unless the car is in all other respects a 9 or 10, the costs of the indicated work will likely not be recoverable.

[mamali]

Thanks

[mamali]

Originally Posted by Frank Reiner

1) You have indicated that the car is not for your personal use.

2) Unless the car is in all other respects a 9 or 10, the costs of the indicated work will likely not be recoverable.

I have owned her and used her for 15 years. I can not keep up with her needs.

[aluminum]

Originally Posted by mamali

I have owned her and used her for 15 years. I can not keep up with her needs.

Make it run another 15 years , your not doing anything anyway are you LOL
Yes be sure you have a Head gasket first and foremost and the correct one

[mamali]

Originally Posted by aluminum

Make it run another 15 years , your not doing anything anyway are you LOL
Yes be sure you have a Head gasket first and foremost and the correct one

Problem is I do not work on her and having a hard time finding a reasonable mechanic.

[barry12345]

Car in my opinion has to be in pretty well decent overall shape. To use paid for labor these days. Perhaps that one is. Most of us have lived long enough to see everything pretty much change.

Sometimes a solution can be found and sometimes not.