Yes, it is possible to change a clutch in an hour and half. Especially at 100 dollars an hour, you should get a professional with a passion for using tools.

I myself use a car lift, transmission lift and air tools where appropriate. It takes me longer too because I ponder stuff and clean more than is necessary, which is what you probably do too. We are both hobbyist and owners at heart.

The actual work is easy.
Four bolts each for the cross member and drive shaft. Pull the pin for the shifter and start working at the main bolts with extensions for the top bolts for about 25 minutes.

Pull back and rotate the transmission as it drops. Half dozen small bolts for the clutch going both ways and in 15 minutes you are on the turn around. You could pull the flywheel and throw in a rear main seal for another total of 15 minutes time max.

It is all a matter of access, tools and execution. Most transmission shops have to be setup to work like an oil change shop. Oil shops say 10 minutes or it is free, even though I do not believe it. I am sure the devil is in the details, anything to get you to come in.

Here is a story, again...ho hum... another long post but I do try to have a point. You may have to nod off to get there though. :)

About six years ago, I was off traveling in my 1987 454 cubic inch 27ft. motor home. My automatic transmission failed (53,000 miles) on a Friday afternoon of a Labor Day weekend. I limped, in low gear only off the freeway, to a shop close to the freeway. That large shop, which worked only on Allison’s transmissions for bigger motor homes and trucks, had me limp to another smaller independent shop about four miles away. Two of which had to be back down on the freeway, in terrible traffic, but I made it stressfully on the shoulder with flashers.

Later that next morning I got it swapped out with a rebuilt for 1,250 dollars in 2.5 hours total time which included the test drive and hand shaking! I had to pay up an extra 100 dollars on the side for his mechanic to come back in because it was a Saturday to boot.

Yes, I really did luck out that they were honest professionals and possibly hungry which I know is not the norm. It may have help out that I keep my stepdads World War II (Normandy/Pointe du-hoc) Rangers Symbol on the rear spare tire cover, as it was his motor home that he gave me, so I think his luck rides with me at times in that big 10,000 lb. rig!

I follow what that shop recommends for oil changes with their additive at every 10,000 miles. I took it back to them just 2 years ago because it always shifted so smooth which was so much better than the factory transmission. 110 dollars with oils, parts and any adjustments for a total and 40 minutes time with smiles included. It is a shame they are 400 miles from my house as I might let them work on my Volvos, if any were automatics.

They told me what I was learning that those big Chevys run very hot and they sit around a lot. Both are detrimental. As much as a Volvo has been termed as a “Foreign Chevy,” I would never buy a Chevy because of their cheap tricks and their let you fix it later tactics!

Another reason that is better to fix what you have, as you know where the bugs are!

Phil