What is a fair amount of billable hours to remove and replace a big block engine from  '69?  Nothing is ever the same on this kind of procedure, but was curious as to a fair range of hours to "get er done". Has side pipes and headers and need to put in a new radiator".

Thanks in advance!  Terry

Wow! That is a good question. A lot of contingencies are in the mix on that one. Any number of difficulties can come into play there. One thing leads to another. While I'm in here, let's do this! Well, let's do this too!. SO.... it's anybodies guess what will transpire. 

I'd say 2 cases of good beer....

I removed mine by myself but after the rebuild plan on getting my grandsons to help reinstall in engine bay then I’ll take it from there

Is it a manual transmission or automatic Terry? It took me an extra hour to rig the shifter mechanism when I converted over to an M20 from the TH400 on my '73 383. 

I've no BB experience, but working alone, it has taken me about 4 hrs to remove and 5 hrs to install a SB. Second R&R goes a little faster. Older Muncies have fewer driveshaft splines and that hung me up a while trying to carefully mate the block to it. Just one of the variables mentioned by others.

I thought this service manual would have estimated shop man-hours in it for certain jobs commonly done, but I couldn't find them. Maybe someone here who knows more about the manual will know where to look.

Hope this helps Terry.

Steve 

The manual will probably quote  "Flat Rate" time. Unless you do these every day, all the time, Flat Rate will not be a good indicator. Double it for a better rate. Don't know if they even use that rate anymore. 

A huge project. The engine in / out is the easy part. It comes out a whole lot easier than back in, even with new parts. 

The rest of the car under the hood is a project in itself. Most of the other components are shot, so keep in mind the "while I'm in there" will kick in. Whatever you believe it will cost, double that and you'll be much closer......

I took my 350 out and back in with a very good friend / mechanic and it took a year. Not for the faint hearted.

If not already done, you'll want to replace for sure the underhood wiring harness, vacuum lines, and other deteriorating pieces to make it safe and reliable. 

Replacement parts are very iffy and a lot of them will disappoint you. I sent a lot back to the vendors because of shoddy appearance and quality. And most do not fit very well and even last at all. Electrical parts are the worst.

Being that said, it was a learning experience and a tremendous journey you might enjoy and be very proud of when back on the road. I certainly am!

Good luck and keep us in the loop as you move along. 

I removed the engine in my 73 in 2 days by myself. Reinstalled it  in 4 days by myself when I was 65

So all depends on your experience. 

Reinstalled in body 3 hours, damn 68 and non removable  crossmember still in progress since this morning between work meetings by myself oh and on the floor at 63

I should add to my Post - a lot of other things were done in the year while replacing the 350. Engine bay was empty so dug into restoration.

Brake lines, fuel lines. all the damn vacuum lines, wiring harness, headlight and wiper door motors, AC hoses, front cross member that rots out, refurbish wiper motor, steering box, blower motor, exhaust system, AC evaporator, cooling hoses, sandblasted, cleaned a lot of parts and painted the engine bay and wiper door stuff. A lot of disintegrated stuff when you get down to it. 

So yeah, a year was not unexpected! 😊