Tel: (206) 545-3500
Regular Maintenance
Old Hammerhand
We believe our tune-ups are the most comprehensive possible. We follow the factory recommendations for the 6,000 mile service (air-cooled) or 12,000 mile service (most water-cooled): inspect and lube front suspension and steering, inspect tires, inspect and adjust brakes and V-belts, inspect drive axles and boots, inspect for rust, adjust valves and clutch, check engine compression, replace ignition parts as necessary (usually points and plugs), adjust timing and idle, check lights and fluids, replace any bad bulbs or fuses. Mike is also fully versed in fuel injection systems used through 1992, and in all stock and popular aftermarket carburetors (Solex, Kadron, Weber, Dellorto), including adjustments, rebuilding, and re-jetting.
Automotive repair is seasonal. Winter is the slow time, and the warmer months are busy—sometimes too busy. I'd like to encourage customers with bigger jobs (engine rebuilds, resurrections) to bring them to the shop during this time.
2021 Typical Prices, excluding tax
| Hourly Rate: | $140 |
| Job | Labor | Parts | Total |
| Full tune, w/valve adjust | $220 | $10-30 | $230-250 |
| no valve adjust | $180 | same as above | $190-210 |
| Oil change | $35 | $32-45 | $67-80 |
| Brakes, per axle | $180 | $30-120 | $210-300 |
| pads only | $90 | $30 - 40 | $120-130 |
| Rebuild brake calipers, w/pads | $240 | $275 | $515 |
| Replace clutch: — | |||
| Types I, II thru 1971, III | $350 | $50 - 350 | $400-800 |
| Type II, 1972-1990 | $450 | $50 - 350 | $500-800 |
| Porsche repairs subject to 10% surcharge | please phone | ||
| Golf, Jetta, etc. | please phone |
Carburetor Rebuilding
In our experience most carbs do not need replacement! Usually cleaning and inspection will reveal any problems. Occasionally gaskets or diaphragms will need changing, and quite often larger main jets are needed to compensate for throttle shaft wear or high-performance exhausts or cams. Aftermarket carb kits typically present no special difficulties. If rebuilding is necessary, most can be done in one hour or less.
Engine Rebuilding
Laying a crank
Mike is especially experienced at custom engine rebuilding. Most customers are happy with a stock rebuild, but he has built many high-performance engines as well, from mildly upgraded 1600cc versions all the way to 2-liter stroker motors. These are not race engines, but meant to give driveable and reliable street performance. A great deal of experience is necessary to choose the parts and modifications compatible with these requirements. Very few in the Seattle area have more experience at this than Mike.
Robbie Lowery's 2-liter Type 3 motor
| Type I Rebuild Prices, 2021 (Beetle, Ghia, Thing, Type III, Transporter through 1971)—Typical price, stock rebuild, including installation: $4000-4500 | |
| Basic engine rebuild, stock 1600cc, normal parts, machining & labor | $3500 |
| Head cores | $150-250 |
| Crankcase core | $350 |
| Clutch kit | $250 |
| Exhaust | $150-250 |
Possible performance upgrades:
| Kadron kit (twin solexes) | $500-1000 |
| Narrow fan shroud (better access to carbs and plugs) | $150 |
| Performance cam and swivel-foot adjustors | $200 |
| Solid rockershaft kit, installed | $400 |
| Counterweighted crank, 69mm | $350 |
| Precision balancing of rotating parts and pistons | no longer available |
| Full-flow filter modification, parts and installation | $275 |
| 90.5mm piston and cylinder set (1776cc) | $300 |
| Convert to larger Type IV oil cooler | $300 |
| Big-valve heads (CBPerformance 044s) | $800-1000 |
| Weber carbs, IDFs or DCNFs | $400-1000 |
| Convert to stroker crank, 78mm (2006cc) | $800 |
| Custom exhaust | $500-1000 |
| Gauges | $150-300 |
| Core engine for rebuilding | $250-400 |
Compression ratios and cams matched to your needs and available fuel.
| Type IV Rebuild Prices, 2021 (Transporter and air-cooled Vanagon, 1972-1983. Porsche 914, $1000 additional) | |
| Basic rebuild, parts and labor | $4500 |
| Cracked or otherwise unusable heads | $200-400 ea |
| Replacement piston and cylinder set | $275 |
| Re-ground crankshaft | $100 |
| Replacement crankcase (unusual) | $350 |
| Upgrade 1.7 or 1.8 liter engine to 2 liter | $350 |
| Clutch kit | $250 |
| Muffler | $150-250 |
Other engine external parts (mounts, compartment seal, etc.) are additional. Average price is $5000-5500 before tax.
