Repair Cost Question

[MUELZHOG]

Well it turns out that the oil in my radiator was a result of a blown head gasket. I am very sad about the whole deal. My question is how much this repair should cost. I live in an area with not a whole lot of competition in the diesel repair buiz. Any estimates would be helpful.

[Dave Sponaugle]

I can tell you this.
According to the book price to remove and replace the heads in frame the hours are about 30 hours, mostly because of how hard it is to get to everything.
Remove and replace engine is 14 hours.

Depending on your local repair rates you can figure from there.

If I were doing the job, I would pull the engine to do it and probably come away with a better job for less money than doing it in frame.

I base that opinion on how tight it is in my 86 engine compartment to work on it.