'76 timing belt replacement cost

[Rascal]

Hi,

I'd like to have the timing belt on my '76 124 spider replaced, but I'm not comfortable doing it myself.
I did rebuild the top end of a 124 a very long time ago, but I'm a little rusty.

I called a place in Seattle specializing in European cars and they guestimated about $900 to do it.
Is this realistic? Can anyone recommend a good Fiat mechanic in or close to Seattle?

Thanks...

[doc18015]

Have to figure approx. 3-4 hours labor or approx. $300 or so plus parts: timing belt, water pump, gaskets and alter. belt. I think the price is exceedingly high. Even a F.I. model , adding another hour labor........I would look for other independent shops and get re-quote. OR......do like I did. Do it yourself. Get Fiat book for help and this great board. Many knowlegable people on this board . Good Luck!

[SLOSpider]

Heck buy my plane ticket and for the cost of parts we will put it in with new seals and then go party the weekend on the rest!

[So Cal Mark]

at $900, I'd ask for a detailed quote of parts and labor. That is pretty high for just a belt replacement

[Rascal]

Heck buy my plane ticket and for the cost of parts we will put it in with new seals and then go party the weekend on the rest!

Sounds tempting!

Turns out I called the most expensive foreign car repair shop in town. I'm now leaning toward DIY, since I did it before (30 years ago) and I have the Haynes repair manual, but my garage is barely big enough to park in, let alone work in.

[SLOSpider]

I got a 2 car garage but been doing all my work in the driveway...more light and room...

[DUCeditor]

I had mine replaced as part of the major mechanical restoration work. I think the mechanic who did the work originally said it'd take about 2.5 hours labor. The final bill, however, listed just 1.75 hours for this part of the job. That'd be less than $150 plus the cost of the parts (belt and pulley).

It may be the case, however, that some of the work normally needed for this job was distributed among other things I was having done. Final analysis: $2000 covered all new brake system (rotors, calibers, master cylinder, proportioning valve, etc.), rebuilt of front suspension including new A-arms, shocks, bushings, etc. Rehanging of provided exhaust system. Tuning of engine with new points and coil, balancing and installation of 4 new tires, state inspection and a half tank of gas.

That's a far cry from $900 just for the timing belt, don't ya think?

Locally mechanics get typically $75/ hour. I suspect that in some locales the rates are much higher.

-don

[Tango]

Its not a bad job. I think if I could do it pretty much anybody can -- I'm reasonably handy but have very little auto mechanics experience. I got lots of great advice and encouragement here and if you follow the prescribed steps and get a good impact wrench to take the crankshaft pulley bolt off, the rest was not too hard at all.

I think you can do the job as well as a pro and maybe better than some pro's because you care about quality, the job doesnt require specialized know-how or tools, and some shops are just about squeezing you for cash.

T

[rasouth]

I replaced my timing belt myself not long ago. Less than $100 for belt and gaskets, a couple hours and I was done. The one problem I had was that I could not remove the crankshaft nut. I did notice that there was just enough room to slide old belt out and squeeze the new one in. Just make sure camshaft pulleys and aux. air pulley are aligned right.