Sorry for not updating:
He claims that a repair was already attempted on this vehicle on the head gaskets and bolts at a previous time, and it would be a waste to try again, since it failed. The previous owner must have made an attempt before sticking me with the problem. Anyway I told him to go ahead with the new engine, and it's on the way. You guys are right that I should be more hesitant and try and figure out why I can't have it helicoiled again, but I trust this guy.

 

I guess everyone would like a new engine. I hope you get a good job and are treated fairly.

 

Just for information, head bolt thread repairs are best done using Timeserts rather than helicoils, they are a more solid fitting than helicoil. Properly installed timeserts will equal the original capacity of the head bolt.

 

Verify that you are getting the correct tentioners installed along with a new water pump and thermostat housing. Now is the time to get it out of the way…

 

Thanks Gus, I've already had the waterpump and thermostat housing changed, Mechanic said that he will check if tensioners were changed out or not when he gets it in and will change em if necessary.

 

Oh and also he's putting in the a/c compressor for free. I'm paying for the part from rockauto and having it shipped to him.

 

Now is the right time to get it done and you will be on the road for a long time.

 

It'll be nice when it's all completed.

 

Ok guys, I'm back to report that everything is all done. I drove the car for a week or so. Sunday I drive the car to work, and as I'm leaving, I notice a puddle of coolant under the car.... I check the fluid and it's down over half a gallon! So I filled up the coolant and dropped it off at the mechanic again. Next day he calls me and says something like either a hose, or a part that connects the hose (it was early in the morning and I wasn't too coherent) had cracked and needed replacement. He took care of that and all is well. I've got another suspension related problem with the car, that I will post in a new thread. Thanks again for all the help and guidance.

 

So what was the total price? I'm looking at an S-Type that needs a new engine and I'm wondering how much it might cost me.

 

The total cost was $4800. This included several other things I had bundled in, including:
- Supply and install used engine
-Install customer supplied new a/c compressor
-supply and install thermostat housing
-supply and install new timing chain tensioners
-supply and install new spark plugs
-install customer supplied used ball joint/control arm
-supply and install sway bar bushing
-weld drivers side seat back to frame (was rocking back and forth a bit)
-supply and install clips for door panel and wood grain on dash (previous owner must've attempted something and they were both loose)
-supply and install new engine motor mounts