Hi, I have a 1988 Chevy Suburban 5.7L 350 engine Automatic transmission I recently had the AC converted so it can use the new kind of freon. However, it has all leaked out twice. They tell me that there is a leak(duh) and that I need a new compressor. I believe that this is true. But I have a LMC Truck catalog and the compressor is around $200, the repair shop wants to charge me twice that just for the part. My questions are: if I order the part, could I just take the old one out and put the new one in and have the shop recharge my system? I'm good at taking things apart and putting them back together, but I've only changed the oil and replaced the spark plugs on this truck. Would I need some special tools? I'm so tired of paying such high prices for repairs. I know the guys need to make a good living, but if I can help myself, it sure would be nice. Thank you for your advice. At their mercy in Texas!!!

The timing belt on my 95 Monte Carlo broke and I am having trouble trying to figure out exactly how to align timing marks on the camshaffts when they do not appear as they describe in the manual. I see a squiggly line on each cam spocket and also the numbers 0,2,7 and the GM trademark around the inside, but I do not see any lines or paint or anything else. Do I need to remove camshaft covers and procede from there or what? Also, how can I be sure I have the number 1 piston at top dead center on the exhaust stroke. If I do need to remove camshaft covers is it as simply as making sure the flats are up on one side and down on the other or much more complicated than that?