Cost of setting timing, on a V8 ??

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YY1 said:
you don't even need a timing light.
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Gone are the those days.

The interwebz says you need a timing light. The interwebz must be right.

My old man could do it be ear and save the money on the timing light.

Guess the "experts" aren't as good as they think.
 
j par said:
You have a point here. My son is an ASE certified mechanic and he's never touch a carburetor before I bought him one.
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It's certainly a dying art as you point out because they ain't teaching kids carb stuff any more.


BTW, did you bring me a T shirt back from Colorado?
 
yellow rose said:
Exactly. If you don't charge like that, you'd be lucky to make it six months. Some people have no idea what it costs to operate a shop. How outrageous that taxes are and how quickly one can lose money than rather make it.
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You mean like having to deal with three different government agencies to be able to get a shop license?

Let's see...

Get my dBa. County clerk. There's a fee for that.

Code needs to give me a CO. There's a fee for that.

State won't give me a license until I can prove my shop is up to code as a repair shop. Won't give me one until I have a dBa.

Then I have to get ahold of the IRS for my EIN. Fee for that. Now I can pay the fee to get my license.

Of course, now, I have to actually build my business. Advertising costs money. Oh, I have my old pals who think I should work for the rate that I worked for when I was doing side jobs in my driveway.

Oh, you mean, now, I have commercial rate electric bills to pay? What do you mean my rate is three times higher than what I pay at home.

Fine. I've dreamed of owning my own shop, so I'll pay it. Hopefully. Hopefully I have enough paying jobs coming in to pay it.

Tax bills comes in. What do you mean my property taxes are so high? What's that? Commercial rates? Based on the value of the business, not on the property? Really? You've got to be kidding me.

Fine, I'll pay it!

Now, let's see. I got a couple of thousand dollars in inventory. What do you mean I have to pay tax on my inventory? Well...okay. But I don't know why I should have to pay a tax on a 55 gallon drum on three different types of antifreeze, five different kinds of oil, a supply of filters, and on and on.

I got sent tools I can declare... Really? I can only deduct if I spent over $3500 for tools? Most of the damned tools I bought when I was twisting a wrench for someone else the last twenty years. And the lift and compressor came with the shop when I bought it, so no depreciation on those...

Tax time! Every freaking quarter.

And I really should pay comp and unemployment on myself, in case something happens with this old *** lift.

You mean like that?
 
ramenth said:
You mean like having to deal with three different government agencies to be able to get a shop license?

Let's see...

Get my dBa. County clerk. There's a fee for that.

Code needs to give me a CO. There's a fee for that.

State won't give me a license until I can prove my shop is up to code as a repair shop. Won't give me one until I have a dBa.

Then I have to get ahold of the IRS for my EIN. Fee for that. Now I can pay the fee to get my license.

Of course, now, I have to actually build my business. Advertising costs money. Oh, I have my old pals who think I should work for the rate that I worked for when I was doing side jobs in my driveway.

Oh, you mean, now, I have commercial rate electric bills to pay? What do you mean my rate is three times higher than what I pay at home.

Fine. I've dreamed of owning my own shop, so I'll pay it. Hopefully. Hopefully I have enough paying jobs coming in to pay it.

Tax bills comes in. What do you mean my property taxes are so high? What's that? Commercial rates? Based on the value of the business, not on the property? Really? You've got to be kidding me.

Fine, I'll pay it!

Now, let's see. I got a couple of thousand dollars in inventory. What do you mean I have to pay tax on my inventory? Well...okay. But I don't know why I should have to pay a tax on a 55 gallon drum on three different types of antifreeze, five different kinds of oil, a supply of filters, and on and on.

I got sent tools I can declare... Really? I can only deduct if I spent over $3500 for tools? Most of the damned tools I bought when I was twisting a wrench for someone else the last twenty years. And the lift and compressor came with the shop when I bought it, so no depreciation on those...

Tax time! Every freaking quarter.

And I really should pay comp and unemployment on myself, in case something happens with this old *** lift.

You mean like that?
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Again, as RRR has said..........PUZACTLY like that.
 
Thanks for all of Your inputs. ---- I'm signing off, from this series of posts. -- Have a good day. And Yes, I'm getting a timing light. I already have a vacuum gage, the knowledge, and a shop to do the work in. -- Thanks again.
 
If you need some assistance PM me I am retired and like helping people in the Mopar hobby. I am in Danielsville Pa. 18038. Remember test and tune at local tracks are $20. You will always find guys there to help you for free. And you can see the results every pass. Most racers have all the parts you will need on hand.
 
ramenth said:
You mean like having to deal with three different government agencies to be able to get a shop license?

Let's see...

Get my dBa. County clerk. There's a fee for that.

Code needs to give me a CO. There's a fee for that.

State won't give me a license until I can prove my shop is up to code as a repair shop. Won't give me one until I have a dBa.

Then I have to get ahold of the IRS for my EIN. Fee for that. Now I can pay the fee to get my license.

Of course, now, I have to actually build my business. Advertising costs money. Oh, I have my old pals who think I should work for the rate that I worked for when I was doing side jobs in my driveway.

Oh, you mean, now, I have commercial rate electric bills to pay? What do you mean my rate is three times higher than what I pay at home.

Fine. I've dreamed of owning my own shop, so I'll pay it. Hopefully. Hopefully I have enough paying jobs coming in to pay it.

Tax bills comes in. What do you mean my property taxes are so high? What's that? Commercial rates? Based on the value of the business, not on the property? Really? You've got to be kidding me.

Fine, I'll pay it!

Now, let's see. I got a couple of thousand dollars in inventory. What do you mean I have to pay tax on my inventory? Well...okay. But I don't know why I should have to pay a tax on a 55 gallon drum on three different types of antifreeze, five different kinds of oil, a supply of filters, and on and on.

I got sent tools I can declare... Really? I can only deduct if I spent over $3500 for tools? Most of the damned tools I bought when I was twisting a wrench for someone else the last twenty years. And the lift and compressor came with the shop when I bought it, so no depreciation on those...

Tax time! Every freaking quarter.

And I really should pay comp and unemployment on myself, in case something happens with this old *** lift.

You mean like that?
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I think you may have started to scratch the surface there...
 
yellow rose said:
Did you miss post 52?
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Look if I was to buy you a t-shirt Everywhere I Go I wouldn't have any money left to put into my car to kick your butt out on the drag strip. Which is probably what you trying to do. Get me to spend all my money on t-shirts for you.... LOL
I didn't even get a t-shirt on this last trip, as matter of fact it cost quite a bit.
 
j par said:
I think you may have started to scratch the surface there...
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I could have written a post that would take me all day to write.

But then, some guy comes in, doing it in his home garage a lot cheaper because he doesn't have the overhead to pay. It's all beer money for him.

The other guy is paying his bills for the shop and all his household bills hoping he can break through and make a go of it.
 
ramenth said:
Gone are the those days.

The interwebz says you need a timing light. The interwebz must be right.

My old man could do it be ear and save the money on the timing light.

Guess the "experts" aren't as good as they think.
Click to expand...
I can’t tell you how many times I pulled the timing light set the spec went for road test ,then road timed it after , just my experience and I have a snap on tool box:icon_fU:
 
Oldmanmopar said:
Remember test and tune at local tracks are $20. You will always find guys there to help you for free. And you can see the results every pass. Most racers have all the parts you will need on hand.
Click to expand...

IMHO, this is the way to do it. Tune with the guys in the "trenches", go on a run, come back and adjust. Everybody wins cuz everybody is there to do the same thing. Getting your car dialed in to go as fast as it can. No egos, no money, just tune, race, and have fun. Luckily, I live less than 25 miles from the track....
 
ramenth said:
You mean like having to deal with three different government agencies to be able to get a shop license?

Let's see...

Get my dBa. County clerk. There's a fee for that.

Code needs to give me a CO. There's a fee for that.

State won't give me a license until I can prove my shop is up to code as a repair shop. Won't give me one until I have a dBa.

Then I have to get ahold of the IRS for my EIN. Fee for that. Now I can pay the fee to get my license.

Of course, now, I have to actually build my business. Advertising costs money. Oh, I have my old pals who think I should work for the rate that I worked for when I was doing side jobs in my driveway.

Oh, you mean, now, I have commercial rate electric bills to pay? What do you mean my rate is three times higher than what I pay at home.

Fine. I've dreamed of owning my own shop, so I'll pay it. Hopefully. Hopefully I have enough paying jobs coming in to pay it.

Tax bills comes in. What do you mean my property taxes are so high? What's that? Commercial rates? Based on the value of the business, not on the property? Really? You've got to be kidding me.

Fine, I'll pay it!

Now, let's see. I got a couple of thousand dollars in inventory. What do you mean I have to pay tax on my inventory? Well...okay. But I don't know why I should have to pay a tax on a 55 gallon drum on three different types of antifreeze, five different kinds of oil, a supply of filters, and on and on.

I got sent tools I can declare... Really? I can only deduct if I spent over $3500 for tools? Most of the damned tools I bought when I was twisting a wrench for someone else the last twenty years. And the lift and compressor came with the shop when I bought it, so no depreciation on those...

Tax time! Every freaking quarter.

And I really should pay comp and unemployment on myself, in case something happens with this old *** lift.

You mean like that?
Click to expand...
You've left out quite a few things lol I even had to update landscaping to get a C/O. Picky officials in an upper scale neighborhood in the midst of revitalization. It would have been nice to know before the final.:BangHead:
 
66fyssh said:
Reminds me of this story.

View attachment 1715213654
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Reminds me of my instructor when I went to technical school for electronics. He used to tell a story of how he fixed a TV for a customer by replacing a resistor. When the customer got the bill he said "YOU CHARGED ME $150.00 TO REPLACE A 10 CENT RESISTOR?" My instructor said " let me see the bill" He reversed the charges, $150.00 for the resistor and 10 cents for labor. He said "feel better?" LOL
 
Biff said:
I can’t tell you how many times I pulled the timing light set the spec went for road test ,then road timed it after , just my experience and I have a snap on tool box:icon_fU:
Click to expand...

Knowing how to listen, how to "feel" the car, beats all the tools in the world.
 
j par said:
Look if I was to buy you a t-shirt Everywhere I Go I wouldn't have any money left to put into my car to kick your butt out on the drag strip. Which is probably what you trying to do. Get me to spend all my money on t-shirts for you.... LOL
I didn't even get a t-shirt on this last trip, as matter of fact it cost quite a bit.
Click to expand...


Money is no excuse. Pimp yourself out and get me a T shirt. I'd ask for your Brother JD shirt that SHOULD have been mine but I damn sure don't want that pitted out hot mess now.
 
RPMagoo said:
I don't have a timing light, so I had a local Mechanic check, and re-set My timing, on My 383 Mopar, with electronic ignition. He did not get into the distributor, or carburetor. While doing this, He adjusted the 2 idle screws on the Edelbrock 600 CFM carburetor. -- It was a basic set the timing. - He used no parts - labor, only, and He charged Me $150. -- This is a small one man shop. -- I feel like I got "ripped off". -- Comments ??
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Does your car run as expected or better? If so, have fun driving the car. Next time, invest in a timing light and do it yourself.
 
Ok my first instinct is to Ask The Guy, undoubtedly he will have either a good explanation or an unsatisfactory explanation, and that’s your judgment to make; but his explanation to provide.
Like I’d say, “$150 seems a bit high?” and who knows, if you’re friendly enough he might bump it a little back.
As for myself, my preferred shop doesn’t even work on carburetors or distributors.
I’d kind of want the guy to spend a little time with a tailpipe sniffer (oxygen detector) to get the air/fuel ratio correct. Lastly, I bought a cylinder stop so I can manually confirm my exact location of TDC so I can time it properly. As a matter of fact - I upgraded to the FiTech throttle body which automatically tunes with the oxygen sensor. It also sets the advance curve, I just got a lean burn distributor and let the fitech run the advance. I’m not saying it runs ‘flawless’ but it’s a darn sight better than carb + dizzy. My personal opinion only.
 
dartfreak75 said:
You could have bought a very nice light and let me borrow it! Lol I don't trust anyone working on my vehicles I'm a diyer thru and thru if I don't know how I will read and learn how to do it. Most the shops around here where I'm from will rip you off in a heartbeat. I went in for an inspection and had them put some of that die in my ac cause I suspected it was leaking (was not as cold as it once was) so he told me to come back in week to check it. So I did the first guy came out which I knew but the owner didn't know I knew. He said looks fine to me you just need to recharge it il let the boss know. Then then another guy came out and looked for like 2 secs and went back in and came out with the boss. The boss went on to tell me I needed a whole ac unit and it was shot and It was gonna be around 2500k I just laughed at him and drove off I went to Walmart and got one of those DIY charge kits for 30 bucks and to this day it's still ice cold that was seven years ago!! I know another guy that went to that same place for fuel lines and was gonna charge him 1500 bucks he went to another shop and got it done for 300! We live in a small town there is not many places so basically this guy just charges what he wants
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Like the sign posted on (shady) garage wall - - "SHOP RATE (per hour) - $50. IF you watch? - $100. IF you help? - $150." lol $ amounts vary, but you get the idea.
 
RPMagoo said:
I don't have a timing light, so I had a local Mechanic check, and re-set My timing, on My 383 Mopar, with electronic ignition. He did not get into the distributor, or carburetor. While doing this, He adjusted the 2 idle screws on the Edelbrock 600 CFM carburetor. -- It was a basic set the timing. - He used no parts - labor, only, and He charged Me $150. -- This is a small one man shop. -- I feel like I got "ripped off". -- Comments ??
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First off an edelbrock or afb 600 cfm carburetor is too small for a high performance motor unless you have the 383 standard motor than that carb is ok. Any "Old Motorhead" would know how to use a Timing Light and adjust the air inlets wth a screwdriver. You paid for what you do not know and as his income to support a family the charges are Fair. I don't suppose you would give your boss back half your salary just because you thought it didn't take all that time to fix whatever you do. Quit whining here.
 
joemish said:
-- First off an edelbrock or afb 600 cfm carburetor is too small for a high performance motor unless you have the 383 standard motor than that carb is ok. Any "Old Motorhead" would know how to use a Timing Light and adjust the air inlets wth a screwdriver. You paid for what you do not know and as his income to support a family the charges are Fair. I don't suppose you would give your boss back half your salary just because you thought it didn't take all that time to fix whatever you do. Quit whining here. --
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------ It's a, near, stock B block. --- I do know. --- I have had many Muscle Cars, and Hot Rods. -- My timing light came up missing, when We moved, a few years ago. --- Thanks
 
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RPMagoo said:
I don't have a timing light, so I had a local Mechanic check, and re-set My timing, on My 383 Mopar, with electronic ignition. He did not get into the distributor, or carburetor. While doing this, He adjusted the 2 idle screws on the Edelbrock 600 CFM carburetor. -- It was a basic set the timing. - He used no parts - labor, only, and He charged Me $150. -- This is a small one man shop. -- I feel like I got "ripped off". -- Comments ??
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Two things, you could have asked the final price to start with and you could have shopped around. Also in most cases I ask my mechanic to give it a check ride. You don't know how many headaches that has saved me.
 
Went on a Campus tour for my son at UNOH - they are still teaching carburetor theory and skills.
 
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