I got an estimate of between 6-8 hours labor to replace a the 2 head gaskets on a 1987 Softail. Does this seem right? It looks like once you get the pipes and the tank off the heads are right there and the gaskets just below them. Is there more to it than meets the eye?

 

The heads are right there but the rocker boxes/breathers must come off first, push rod tubes collapse and have to be reinstated, etc. Still 6-8 hours does seem excessive; 4 hours would be reasonable. I should say that I can do it in 4 hours and I am not a pro.

 

never tore an evo apart,a shovel or ironhead has just as many parts,it could be done in 2-4 hours easy with a break..with experience,the entire bike can be tore down and reassembled in 6-8 hours

 

My third bike is a 88 fxstc. Find another quote, and find someone who really knows those motors. The kids working today no zip about carb. bikes. Personnely, I would find a mechanic who owns an old softail and go from there. I don't trust mechanics...especially ones at the dealership (when they get good they own their own shop). I do, and always have done my own work.

 

Tank(s) are removed, exhaust system removed, carb/t/body removed, rocker covers removed, heads removed, and gasket surfaces cleaned/prepped and assemble in reverse order, road test.
BTW, when we crack an engine open, here, we always change oil/filter as well.
We do this engine work here day after day here.
At LEAST 5 hrs.
Scott

 

It's a bigger job than it appears but they're probably milking you a little. Go find an experienced indy shop or do it yourself...really isn't hard, just time consuming the first time you do it.

Waldhorn is right...the really good mechs end up owning their own shops. They have to be good since they don't have the HD boob to suckle from any more if they hope to stay in business.

 

I agree with Scott, about 5 hours and maybe a bit more if you have the Kuryakin chrome covers or hot-toppers on the bolts and nuts. Yes, I can do it in 4 if hurrying and not cleaning everything 100% but that is not what you would want.

 

All right, now I am intrigued. When I built that engine 15 years ago I wasn't looking at a clock. I just bought some new rocker boxes that need to be installed so we will see the shop time it takes for a home mechanic to get the top off and back cleanly. Complete fluid change could add an hour.