hmm, i've done the WP and alt on a 97 Mountaineer 5.0 in about 1.5-2 hours. Most of it hurt and i got a few cuts and bruises, but its CERTAINLY no 5 hour job

im not sure about other places but if it isnt warranty (and a 97 wouldnt be) then we give the customer the flatrate as a base but if it takes longer they pay the time, but this is at a dealer, at a regular mechanic shop they might not have access to flat rate times so they can pull any numbe rout of their asses they want

the way i understood it was that the guy was just moonlighting on the side and was a family friend. she knows nothng about cars so she would be the perfect customer for guys like that

Mmm, sounds shady then.

I know on my '95 Explorer with the OHV 4.0L V6 it took me less than 5 minutes to take the alternator off and then put it back on. The SOHC 4.0L V6 will be slightly longer, as well as the 5.0L V8. Either way she got ripped hard, too bad it doesn't sound like she can do anything about it. Good luck.

Tom