Replacing the head gasket on a 1996 Pontiac Sunfire?

[hidden_magick]

My sister recently bought a '96 Pontiac Sunfire with a blown head gasket without telling anyone. A family friend, who is a mechanic, looked at it on his way through town and said that the water pump and everything else was good, just the head gasket needed to be replaced. The mechanic she's talking to says that he will need to take the whole engine out and apart in order to do that, totalling almost $800 in labour. Can anyone tell me if he's trying to scam her or not?

 

[The Wise Cat Named Binky]

It can be done for less than that, however that is what a shop will charge you.

Ive had shops charge $600, some have quoted $1200.

I can get a mechanic to do it for $250, but thats very rare. he is very familiar with the engine.

Spanish shop will do it for $350 or $400.

$800 is a by-the-book Job... it WILL be Quality..

... however, it all depends. Do you have $800 or $400?