Hello everyone. Happy 4th!

Just wanted to give an update on the motor I ordered from T&L Engines in NC. I ordered based on feedback from other forum members and their reputation. Not to mention their price. I ended up ordering the 383 A2. It's an alum. head 383 with 420hp and 460 ft/lbs. I also added on a carb, clutch and flywheel. In addition to that I sent them my distributor so that they could use my parts when tuning the motor on the dyno. A pretty sweet deal shipped to my door for just a hair over 5K.

I was quoted a timeframe of six to eight weeks. My deposit cleared on the 19th of March. As of today I still have not seen my motor. I did finally get a phone call saying it had been shipped, and I got a tracking number too. I is scheduled for delivery tomorrow, July 5. That's over 15 weeks. Fortunately for them I'm in the Navy and my leave doesn't start til next week anyway. So even if the motor was here in 6 to 8 weeks it most likely would have sat in the crate until I had time anyway(Yeah right!). Good thing I ordered so far in advance.

Every time I called everyone was very nice and friendly. Always helpful unless you had a question like where's my motor in which case you get a let me find out and call you right back. Did a call ever come....nope. Like I said it's not a super big deal to me because I won't really have time to install it til next week anyway. However, if they tell me 6 to 8 weeks then that's what they should deliver on. I can understand some delays but 15 weeks?? I called sever times a week for a month and everytime it was my motor going to be dynoed by the end of the week. And every monday it was I'm sorry, that was another guys motor that looked just like the one we're building for you. I"m sure once the motor gets here I'll be more than happy with my decision to go with T&L. I'm happy with my decision now, just a little miffed cause I got let down every week for the past 6 weeks. I'll be sure to post pics of the motor and the instal process when I start next week. I feel like a little kid at Christmas right now.

Sorry for the rant. Again happy fourth!

-CR

 

That is a scary story. You have to start to wonder if they were going to go belly up and send you..... nothing.

Looks like its going to turn out OK for you though.

 

I wish I was waiting 15 weeks. I ordered my 408 from them on Feb 12. I also never get a call back and everytime I call it is ready to go to dyno. Next week will be 5 MONTHS. I called yesterday and they said it did dyno @ 547/530 and it would ship at the end of this week. I have been nervous about my 3500 down but we shall see. I have seen a lot of nice motors and happy owners once done.
I believe these guys have seen a surge in orders that has caused a back log. They have three dynos and two were broke. (so they say)

 

Clive, I got the same dynos down story. I hope that your motor comes in soon. I'd hate to think that I jumped in front of you in line. Once they told me that my motor was going to dyno I sent them the balance on my motor. So I had paid in full for a month before it actually got sent out. I'm sure they have a lot of big profile customers that are more important than me and do a lot more business with them than I will. On the other hand I'm an E4 in the Navy and 5K is a LOT of money to me. Once I reminded them I had paid in full and they were making interest on my money and I still had no motor things seemed to start happening. They went in last Saturday to dyno a few motors they were behind on. One of them being mine. Good news though is that I just tracked it and it's on a break in Atlanta! Should be here tomorrow sometime. Too bad I'll be out of town til next Monday.

If I was you Clive, I'd call everyday for an update until I had a tracking number. That's what I did. I was never rude, always polite and kept reminding them how many weeks past 8 we were and that they had my money. The only phone call I got from them was Ray calling me with the tracking number first thing in the morning. Sounded like he called right when he got in so he didn't have to talk to me later on! Good luck.
-CR

 

My car is still frame off and will not be done tll next spring. I am not in a hurry but do keep on them always talking to Ray or Lloyd. Nice guys not easy to get pissed at. I added a 300 shot last month and they need to dyno that in also. I am going to call Tomorrow and push a little to get it moving. A few guys around here have their motors. PM me when it comes in. I would like to see some pics of the new baby!

Fellow squid here. I was an EW3 fighting commies in 1991