How hard is Seal and gasket replacement

[jedi]

Had a puddle of oil in a garage and took my 95 to the shop. I just heard back that the Front Crank Seal and Oil pan gasket need to be replaced. They want

374.25 for the front crank seal and
241.50 for the oil pan gasket plus of course 70 for the oil change required afterwards.

Is this high? What should one expect to pay for this? How hard would this be for me to do myself?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
Jedi

 

[Ken]

^^^

 

[jedi]

What the heck does that mean???? :confused

 

[Ken]

It is a short way to say "To The Top". You might also see "ttt" as an abreviation.

You want visibily to your question don't you, not lying fallow at the bottom of the forum.

_ken

 

[jedi]

Oh, I thought it might be something like "God help you" or something to that effect. You had me doing the google search for Smilies....... :crazy

 

[compyelc4]

What is your time and frustration worth? Parts aren't much. Labor should be fairly skilled. Above average automotive tool set a plus. Banged knuckles aren't that bad.

Patience a major plus. I say if you have these qualifications go for it............however, on second thought, if you had to take it in to have someone else diagnose a leak then this job is best left to a pro.

I'm kinda betting on a rear (and maybe front) intake seal leak anyway. It may be just me, but knowing the '95 I would not trust that diagnosis. How much trust do you have in that place? Also, please go for a second opinion.

Ted

 

[jedi]

The rear intake seal was replaced less than a month ago.....twice. I am already 3/4ths of the way through replacing the oil pan gasket. I called a friend who had done this before and he came over to help.....unfortunetly he had to leave before we were done so I have to put a few things back together on my own but most are done already. We got rain today so this is turning into a 3 day job...... :cry
Jedi

 

[ffvetteman]

I just saw this today, but I was gonna tell you I did mine (84) and didnt think it was that bad. Time consuming, but I also cleaned everything conpulsivelly.

Plus half way through I decided to redo the power steering system.

But I thought it wasnt too hard. I did front and rear main seal and oil pan (with a one piece rubber:dance )

Dont worry youll be drivin soon

 

[jedi]

Ok, 10 days into this effort and still have not finnished getting the oil pan back on. Had a friend who claimed to know how to do this, but he left half way through the job, without explaining what I needed to do (Not to mention the poor job he did to begin with). So I pulled out my trusty Chiltons manual, and I am trying to follow the directions. Seems like I might be missing some of the correct bolts Near as I can figure, there are 11 normal bolts that 10mil 2 nuts that go in front and back, and then 4 studs on the side, and one more at the front left side (the side with the dip stick, and I mean the one you read the oil level with, not my dip stick friend). Is this correct? If so I seem to be missing a bolt, (and the last owner used the wrong bolt in one place) can someone tell me where I can find one? Would autozone have something like this?
Jedi

 

[jedi]

Ok, so what should have been a 2 hour or so job to do the oil pan gasket on my 95 LT-1 turned into a 2 week thing. I finally got everything back together but when I went to start my baby up, I got a real loud noise that sounds like something grinding against something else. I suspect it is either the starter motor teeth are not lined up or the flywheel cover (Which was a pain to work with) is bent and making contact with the flywheel itself.

Now I am no mechanic and the whole reason I got into this mess is because a "Friend" who claims to be a mechanic got about 1/2 way through (IE: 6 hours to get the pan off) before leaving me on my own. So I had to get a Chilton's and pick up where he left off. So go easy on me.

Does anyone have any suggestions?
(Desperate) Jedi