"Lawrence James" wrote in message
ink.net...
Merc thermostat housings are pretty complicated. I'd not be surprised
if
it's close to $100 new from merc but $400 is out of line. If the job is
just to replace the intake and thermostat housing it too much. That's
not a
hard job. And both those parts are readily available used. In fact
many
marine shops have some laying around. As you pointed out neither go bad
often. I've seen them 20 years old still fine.

Matt, are you sure what work is happening here? First you thought it
was
the exhaust, now it's the intake. For $1600 either you are paying a lot
or
there is more involved here than we are hearing about. Intake
replacement
is about a 4 hour job on a v8. Thermostat housing is on top of the
intake
so no extra time to do it.


Intake manifold for 350 Mag 4bbl $637
thermostat housing depending on what one you have-$130-$300
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/selec...doc_nbr=816596

Time to R & R intake as Lawrence said is no more than 4 hours @ $80 =$320
Parts Worst case $900
Oil/Filter changes $75

Total $1295

and I don't think you are using the expensive housing, as its an old one,
so its probably $200 less, so say $1100. Where is he coming up with the
other $500??? Get something in WRITING from the mechanic, and then post
what it says. Ask for part numbers, and you can go to the link I gave
you, and compare them. PLus IF, and thats a big IF it needs an intake,
used one are all over the place.