RW> Betcha they'll charge more than an independant mechanic. I forget now how
RW> many hours were quoted in the labor book on that R&R, but it probably
RW> will take more than a day to do.
 
For sure.  When I priced it 2 years ago, they wanted $65 for the heater
core and $500 to R&R and I would have to go down there and pay for the
core in advance since they don't stock it any longer.  Personaly, I can't
see them putting the dash back in place without damaging something in the
process.
 
RW>RN> Turbo-Hydramatic 350.
 
RW> That's why. Those trannys didn't have a 'lock-up' torque converter, nor
RW> an overdrive gear. My 72 had that trans and got about 12mpg. That jumped
RW> to 16mpg when I swapped in the 700R4. 3.73:1 rear end and .7 overdrive
RW> with a lockup torque converter.
 
If I could have come across one at a reasonable price, I would have swapped
it out.  As it was, I got myself into trouble with office management when I
got permission from the service manager at the dealership I worked to swap
a standard tranny for a Turbo-350 on a day when we were closed.  It's a job
using hand tools, but in those days, I could turn a wrench.  The asst. mgr.
of the dealership caught me changing the tranny and when I explained to him
I had permission, he said the service manager didn't have the authority to
permit that.  Nice.  Then I was accused of rolling over some fresh floor
paint when the job was finished, which of course, I didn't.
 
RW> I think the small bottle jack was an improvement over the scissor jacks.
RW> Even if it does mean you have to get on your hands and knees to use it.
 
I think you're right.  I now believe it was a bottle jack.  On of the ones
GM furnished that either didn't go up or if it did, wouldn't come down
unless acted upon by external force and that was a dangerous thing.  And
don't get me started on those folding jack handles.
 
RW> My 72 came with the spare mounted in front of the grill. The previous
RW> owner had a wooden leg and couldn't get down on the ground if he had to.
RW> Like you, I removed it and the bracketry and put the spare in the camper.
 
A good idea.
 
RW> When I didn't have the camper on, it went into the bed. Mine also had
RW> twin saddle tanks, which gave me almost a 500 mile range before
RW> refueling.
 
Were you involved, as I was, in that class-action suit?  The lawyers made
out like bandits and all I received was a $200 certificate which could only
be used against my purchase of a new truck.  Phooey!  I burned it because I
didn't want to be involved in that suit to begin with and I considered it a
slap in the face as far as settlement goes.
 
 
Regards,
 
Roger

... Swamp gas usually doesn't create sonic booms.
--- D'Bridge 3.08