blown head gaskets, how much $$ to fix

[scootersbellissimo]

Looking at a running 76 Fiat spider with a blown head gasket, (owner says) How much should I expect to pay to have a professional do this repair?

[puddin]

i suppose if it's only a blown gasket $200-$300. but be concerned with what caused the gasket to blow==

[majicwrench]

There are a LOT of things that can cause the price to go up or down. If someone came into my shop and asked I would not give them an estimate. THere is no way to get even close with tearing it down first. That said, since you are not my customer I would certainly sell a timing belt at the same time, expect to change oil, at least bid the job with a head surface, it may not be needed. Also on a car that old I would just about bet there is gonna be some sort of complication along the way. I'm in the boondocks and charge $50 per hour, and if I HAD to say and price, I would say $600. But again, there are LOTS AND LOTS of things that can drive that up, or down.
YMMV
Keith

[So Cal Mark]

it's very rarely that you can just lift off the head and replace the gasket without doing other work. That is a recipe for another failure in the near future. If the head is warped (expect it with a failed gasket), surfacing requires removing the valves

[narfire]

A friend that helps me with the heads, would charge a hour or two to take it apart and then would have a better idea as to what the final tally would be.

[scootersbellissimo]

Thanks all! That helps a lot.