Wow! Scumbag mechanic!
10-27-2018, 10:27 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Wow! Scumbag mechanic!
Just discovered a mechanic I took my 70 454 AC car to years ago switched out my 884 alternator with a generic replacement.. Seriously?!!! WTF POS! Aholes like this give honest legit mechanics a bad name and make them work twice as hard to make a living. I just got an inkling to check it today and sure enough its a 566 when I know damn well it was the original when I bought the car.
10-27-2018, 10:46 PM
#2
Burning Brakes
Why would they do that? Seems like a reallly trivial thing to do for a mechanic. What shop was it? Make sure others know who it is so they don’t get ripped off too.
-Stroke
-Stroke
10-28-2018, 12:31 AM
#3
Tech Contributor
Hum, how about a large rebuilder installing worms upside down in steering boxes to save on buying new gears, or welding teeth when pitted or grooved? Or charging for a full box rebuild only to paint the box and leave the worn out parts inside, or install a posi with a 2" crack clearly exposed in it, or swap out supplied Timken bearings for cheap imported ones, or double bill for parts, or bill for parts that are already in the master kits, or build 1/2 shafts too long, or build 1/2 shafts with thinner tubing, or swap diff bearing caps and not fit them, or set up back lash on new gears at up to 030", or to copy a custom build only to cut corners inside that no one knows about, etc, etc, etc.
Those are all examples of what I have personally seen over the years. So swapping an alternator to sell online sounds about right. These guys are out for the fast buck while they can still get it. Many know most classic car owners are not going to put a lot of miles on their cars and when the problem arises it is much later. Yes it makes it very hard for the honest hard working people in the business but it's not new by any means. People have been told for years sloppy steering was the norm for 60-70's cars or .100" axle endplay was normal, or those complete front suspension kits have USA Moog ball joints in them yet the kit is 1/2 the price of buying the real Moog ball joints. Pretty sad isn't it.
Those are all examples of what I have personally seen over the years. So swapping an alternator to sell online sounds about right. These guys are out for the fast buck while they can still get it. Many know most classic car owners are not going to put a lot of miles on their cars and when the problem arises it is much later. Yes it makes it very hard for the honest hard working people in the business but it's not new by any means. People have been told for years sloppy steering was the norm for 60-70's cars or .100" axle endplay was normal, or those complete front suspension kits have USA Moog ball joints in them yet the kit is 1/2 the price of buying the real Moog ball joints. Pretty sad isn't it.
10-28-2018, 09:05 AM
#4
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2000
Location: Southbound
Posts: 38,928
Likes: 0
Received 1,469 Likes
on
1,248 Posts
Cruise-In II Veteran
10-28-2018, 09:31 AM
#5
Some of these alternators are single year parts and worth considerable money, as those building period correct restorations look for original and date-coded parts.
10-28-2018, 10:49 AM
#6
Race Director
are you still in the same approximate location and is that mechanic still there and in business? I would go get in his face and call him on it. Tell him he owes you 500 bucks.
10-28-2018, 10:55 AM
#7
Administrator
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: About 1100 miles from where I call home. Blue lives matter.
Posts: 51,410
Received 5,329 Likes
on
2,775 Posts
I’d agree with confronting the guy if you had some real evidence, or if it was clear it happened recently, but if you just checked it today and you “just know” it was him year ago, it’s a tough accusation to make. Even if you are sure in your head.
10-28-2018, 11:01 AM
#8
Administrator
Member Since: Jul 2000
Location: About 1100 miles from where I call home. Blue lives matter.
Posts: 51,410
Received 5,329 Likes
on
2,775 Posts
The alternator on my ‘69 350hp was shockingly expensive compared to the endless amount of alternators that could be on there and essentially look and perform exactly the same way, maybe better. I’ve photographed it extensively, on and off the car, especially the numbers and design details. If I discovered a swap promptly I could prove it easily. People will definitely do that... they routinely steal rare gas caps and cigarette lighters from cars at shows if you don’t watch them.
10-28-2018, 12:04 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Unfortunately it was a number of years ago so confronting the Ahole to his face wouldnt produce any real benefit. Even if it was last month all he would have to do is deny it as I dont have any close up pics of the stamping. I do have general engine pics however and its definitely been changed. When I bought the car the stamping was one of the things I checked as I knew how rare they are. $1200 + on ebay!!!
Just super frustrating having to deal with such unscrupulous Fed up people like this! Karma anyone?!
Lesson here...Dont project your own moral code on others. Even if you're a straight shooter KNOW there are truly despicable people who wont bat an eye robbing you blind.
Stay FAR away from Buddy Hendricks of Florida Performance and Machine in central FL!
Just super frustrating having to deal with such unscrupulous Fed up people like this! Karma anyone?!
Lesson here...Dont project your own moral code on others. Even if you're a straight shooter KNOW there are truly despicable people who wont bat an eye robbing you blind.
Stay FAR away from Buddy Hendricks of Florida Performance and Machine in central FL!
Last edited by Sidneyhop454; 10-30-2018 at 08:02 AM.
10-28-2018, 02:26 PM
#11
Race Director
not saying he has a prayer and he'll over covering any money. But the shop needs to know that people know he's ripping them off.better yet, pulling with your Corvette. Say it's not charging. Since you swapped out my alternator without telling me, I guess your warranty it without telling me.
Last edited by derekderek; 10-28-2018 at 02:29 PM.
10-28-2018, 02:29 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
Member Since: May 2003
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Posts: 8,481
Received 3,220 Likes
on
1,732 Posts
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
10-28-2018, 04:27 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
"years ago"? Water under the bridge. If originality is a concern, you're going to have to bite the bullet for the correct one. I got mine from Ken Bruno when I needed the correct number and dated coded generator.
10-29-2018, 04:42 AM
#14
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Posts: 11,608
Received 772 Likes
on
645 Posts
Sometimes moving on means venting a little and i dont blame the guy for venting, let him have that...
Things like karma or confrontation mean zero to a cat who will rear end you like this i know i have several very sore rear endings, it is my experence they will just blame you cuss and threaten,
My life and livelyhood is worth more to me than a risk of loosing it by confrontation,
So sure i moved on time forces it but i never forget and in that i do hope karma is real and jumps on these dbags heads and goes **** a doodle doo.
Things like karma or confrontation mean zero to a cat who will rear end you like this i know i have several very sore rear endings, it is my experence they will just blame you cuss and threaten,
My life and livelyhood is worth more to me than a risk of loosing it by confrontation,
So sure i moved on time forces it but i never forget and in that i do hope karma is real and jumps on these dbags heads and goes **** a doodle doo.
Last edited by The13Bats; 10-29-2018 at 04:43 AM.
The following 2 users liked this post by The13Bats:
red topless gator (10-30-2018),
Sidneyhop454 (10-29-2018)
10-29-2018, 08:39 AM
#15
Racer
I agree with bats and this thread is a good reminder to all to have a look under the hood next time you have any work done Phil
10-29-2018, 09:54 AM
#17
Instructor
Thread Starter
Absolutely! Everyone should take a vid of their engine compartments highlighting specifically the numbers on key components and just tuck it away in their car file for future reference. Same goes for trans, rear ends, interiors etc. Good for instances like this and insurance claims down the road.
10-29-2018, 11:22 AM
#18
TheCorvetteBen
Corvette Mike in Anaheim CA charged my brother $400 to fix a seal in his rear differential. Got it back and it still leaks. I wouldn't be surprised if they did even fix it, just charged him the money!
10-29-2018, 06:04 PM
#19
Dr. Detroit
Member Since: Mar 2012
Location: New Braunfels Texas
Posts: 9,963
Received 3,892 Likes
on
2,564 Posts
Did you take it to him for an Alternator problem? Was the maechanic aware of how rare original alternators are and would know specifically to have yours refurbished?
If not.....you are cussing at the rain. Nobodies fault but your own. The average parts changer could care jack s&*t about whether your alternator was the original one. He probably had no idea what he was doing.
Jebby
If not.....you are cussing at the rain. Nobodies fault but your own. The average parts changer could care jack s&*t about whether your alternator was the original one. He probably had no idea what he was doing.
Jebby