I have the same issue. My orginal color was white and someone blacked out the engine area. They also did some third class patch work to the sheet metal around the blower fan area and the opposit side. I asked the paint shop what the difference in cost was. He basically said to do the right thing. Pull the engine and strip the compartment so you can put it back. The parts people have replacement panels for both sides. So, I bought a engine cherry picker. pulled the engine with transmission. I am currently working on the body work to do the sheet metal.
In checking for the value differences, The value (if you try to resale it) is as much as $10,000 more with the correct sheet metal and paint job.
Plus it looks neat when it's all done. On top of that, I find it is very easy to change the clutch and pressure plate.
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