Hi all,

I just bought this 89 Westy - "Marlin." I used to own an 80 (Steve), and
with Steve I handled maintenance and engine work the way I think all too
many people do: drive it till it breaks, then pay through the nose, then
sell it in perfect condition. Hence missing out on the joy of driving it
when it's at its peak.

This time, I vowed, would be different. I would take Marlin to prime shape,
drive him, maintain him scrupulously, and see how things went.

Then I went to get the A/C fixed. Ouch!

I just got off the phone with the guy from the radiator shop. He said I need
the following:

compressor shaft seal
receiver dryer
freon

I understand that it's old, stuff breaks, etc. The A/C definitely doesn't
work at the moment (blows but not cold)

Questions:

Is $514.70 too much to pay for having this work done?

My understanding is that a lot of the work is labor taking the paneling off
to get at the compressor.
Is this difficult work? I don't yet have a manual, so is the process
described in any of them?

Thanks for your help.

Tom