My friend has a 1976 el camino and needs the door hinge(s) replaced.How much do you think a mechanic would charge for parts and labor?Thanks!!

Hi Sandy - Have your friend use the "search" feature to see all the past postings on how to do this job, and the various options.

Most repairs only need to have the hinge pins and bushings replaced. Those parts are less than $10.00 at any good autostore. It should take an experienced mechanic less than 1 hour to make the swap-out. Based on his hourly rate ($25-$50 per hour), you should be able to get it done for about $50.00 total.

The other option, less frequently used, is to replace the entire hinge assembly. Our preferred vendors here on ECC charge between $60 to $100 per hinge. The swap out time should be less than 1 hour, but it may be a two-man job due to the weight of the door and making the adjustments. So just double the labor estimate above and add the cost of the new hinges.
Could run you between $150 to $200 per hinge, as just a rough guess.

Most people are able to get by with just replacing the pins/bushings.

If your not good at doing this sort of thing, by all means have a pro do it. But if your going to replace your hinges, here's a suggestion. Get some used hinges from a boneyard that match yours, Malibu hinges will fit but I'm sure there are others also. Buy a hinge rebuild kit, rebuild the hinges yourself, then take it to a body shop to have them put on and the doors aligned. Buying new hinges is outrageously expensive and not necessary.