> Do all the pros do the headgaskets without pulling the engine?

No, it can be done either way.  The shop that we refer to (which is the best
in the area) used to do them in the van but now pulls the engine.  However,
this is for logistical reasons only.  They only have 2 lifts, and if they
pull the engine someone can be working on it without the van tying up a
lift.  They would be the first to say that the job can be done well either
way,

> Is the average time for a pro 3+ hours to do the job from start to finish?

Considering that the job was just done and therefore should be faster than
usual (unlikely to find unexpected surprises such as frozen bolts, cracking
water hoses, etc.), 3-4 hours for one side is probably in the ballpark.

> Is your hour rate $36 an hour?

They were $34.50 but just recently went up to closer to $45.  A couple years
ago I'd have guessed that $36 was about right. Now I'd say it's slightly on
the low side.

For what it's worth, my experience with AVP has always been first-rate.
They're honest folks and they stand behind their product.  An unscrupulous
rebuilder would never have admitted that there was a problem with the gasket
in the first place, instead blaming overheating, faulty installation, etc.,
in the hope that you would go away.  It would have been difficult to "prove"
otherwise, and while you could have sued, etc., getting them to make good
would have cost more than fixing it yourself.  Believe it or not, rebuilders
that think this way are not at all uncommon in this business.   A more
typical rebuilder would have admitted the defect but required you to "return
the engine to them for repair or replacement," thus leaving you in the lurch
for both labor and shipping costs.  Again, they'd be hoping that you'd opt
to fix the problem out of pocket rather than have to ship the engine back.
Few other rebuilders would have been so quick to admit the defect much less
offer to reimburse labor.  It seems to me that AVP is standing behind their
product as well as could reasonably be expected.  The only quibble is
whether their time and labor estimate is accurate, which is a minor issue
compared to the ordeal you'd be facing if you'd dealt with a less reputable
outfit.

- Ron Salmon
 The Bus Depot
 http://www.busdepot.com