Am i getting ripped off by engine builder
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Don't mean to chastise the OP, as I've been there myself many moons ago, but this case is yet another argument why crate engines can be the better choice for those who don't have a firmer grasp of what they're getting into before getting so involved. I'd suggest you do some cramming on engine design and blueprinting ASAP and re-decide whether or not to let that dude stay on your build. In any event, hope you don't get hurt too bad by the outcome.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
cost ot remove and install is about $500. Rebuild is about $2300. Rebuild can be more depending on what you want done.
J
Last edited by jdp6000; Oct 31, 2011 at 06:27 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
I get a mechanic or general shop sending out engine overhauls, but I took the prior post as meaning a performance engine builder was outsourcing the whole thing...
Big difference between a stock overhaul and a performance build...
Big difference between a stock overhaul and a performance build...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
Just let him finish it now. Don't **** him off any more. If you take the engine out without being finished, you will have to pay someone else. What are the chances of ANY warranty if two different shops work on it.
I would think that if he is a reputable person with "national" exposure, he should at least been able to cover all expenses until the engine was done. He does have your engine as collateral. He also should have been able to give you a better definition of the costs up front. Is this guy working "on the side"? or is he a shop?
It also sounds like he may have given you a quote for the engine rebuild, and maybe didn't include the work of removal and placing it back in, and.or any extras like exhaust and changes (if any) to the cooling system.
For comparison, Here is a guy who is relatively expensive and does everything in house, and ships.
http://www.sehrpower.com/sroptions.htm
I would think that if he is a reputable person with "national" exposure, he should at least been able to cover all expenses until the engine was done. He does have your engine as collateral. He also should have been able to give you a better definition of the costs up front. Is this guy working "on the side"? or is he a shop?
It also sounds like he may have given you a quote for the engine rebuild, and maybe didn't include the work of removal and placing it back in, and.or any extras like exhaust and changes (if any) to the cooling system.
For comparison, Here is a guy who is relatively expensive and does everything in house, and ships.
http://www.sehrpower.com/sroptions.htm
Last edited by builder; Nov 1, 2011 at 08:49 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
I wouldn't let a mechanic touch my engine....at least none of the mechanics I know. Maybe different down there but up here there are shops that specialize in rebuilding. There is one up the street from me, they build stock and race car engines. They don't remove engines or install engines but will refer you to someone that will.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa Oklahoma
Thanks for every bodys input. I am allowing him to finish the car and its "supposed" to be ready this week unless the hood won't close over the intake,carb and filter. I knew this was a potential problem going in. I will pick up the car and stock hood and give him no more work. I have no faith in anything he says (including ready this week). I still owe him more than a grand so hopefully he will have an incentive. Yes, me fronting the money for parts is where I got off on the wrong foot. After that, I merely continued to be dummy - lesson learned.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Thanks for every bodys input. I am allowing him to finish the car and its "supposed" to be ready this week unless the hood won't close over the intake,carb and filter. I knew this was a potential problem going in. I will pick up the car and stock hood and give him no more work. I have no faith in anything he says (including ready this week). I still owe him more than a grand so hopefully he will have an incentive. Yes, me fronting the money for parts is where I got off on the wrong foot. After that, I merely continued to be dummy - lesson learned.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
There are shops that do performance work and send the motor out for rebuilding. Many machine shops including my friend don't do the re and re of the motor and have to hook everything back up and tune it etc. so it is very common. My previous remark about who's paying for the shipping will be included in your bill as re and re 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Hope your bad experience doesn't sour you on the whole idea of doing it again. There are plenty of good guys out here who may not own their own fully equiped machine shop, but are nevertheless capable of designing, putting together and delivering a high quality build to your complete satisfaction. At the heart of it, all it takes is someone who 1) knows what he's doing in the first place, 2) knows how and where to get things done properly which he can't do himself, and 3) doesn't accept less than quality work or lack of compliance with specs from outsources or himself. Sorry you didn't find that in this particular hire.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa Oklahoma
Only problem I had was a fuel leak and he came to my house and fixed it. The reason I didn't go with a crate engine was the problems installing a serpentine belt (lame planning by me). The car seems to have a controversial cam (see other post) but it runs like hell. It has awesome "throw you back in the seat" torque (seriously). The engine looks like a real pro installed it. The truth will be in the peformance at the track. Should be in mid to low twelves with street tires and the mid to high elevens with sticky tires. It is fine on the street but I can never move to an area where they test emissions. I guess it has worked out except I didn't get what I what I agreed to (roller cam, the heads, aluminum radiator). Needless to say I won't do business with him again unless there is a problem only he can fix. My major complaint was how long it took (also a friend with Meineke had to fix the exhaust system). If anyone wants to use a mechanic in Tulsa - talk to me first.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I agree that this is my fault. I got wrapped up in the fact the local engine builder has national exposre and assumed he would do a good job. As for getting a lawyer thats a long way off but we do have a verbal contract and I have a witness to it. If I sue him , it will be strictly for vengance.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 3
From: NORTHEAST
i was driving my vette with the recently built 383. The car had about 200 miles on the new engine. Just after driving about 83 miles the engine blew. A bang then lots of white smoke. I also could tell i was leaving a trail of motor oil down the highway. It smelled as thou something was burning but when i looked i found no fire. Guess it will be a good crate engine next (want 460 to 520 hp) time. I am sort of discourage with engine builders, i figure i can find a shop that can remove and install an engine for me. May end up with some good parts to sell (assuming something survived).
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 103
From: Southern Indiana
That really suxs when you just want an engine in your car and its a fiasco!
I either build my own or if I am lazy with it my friend runs the local machine shop and he will put pistons in for a little of nothing.
I either build my own or if I am lazy with it my friend runs the local machine shop and he will put pistons in for a little of nothing.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 2
From: Tulsa Oklahoma
An update to things, the rebuilt engine started missing real bad (has about 1200 miles on it) and there was a knocking type noise. Turned out there was a bent valve and broken spring. Luckily, the lower end wasn't contaminated (thank God for small favors). The shop I took the car too, contended that the springs appeared much older than I was told (supposed to be new). They thought they might be the original L-82 springs. They verified it had been bored to 383 spec but they didn't have the ability to prove the stroke. Its running good and I will take it to a dyno next week and get a reading of hp and torque as a starting point. Then this winter install new heads and and a new roller cam. I have found an excellent mechanic but the shop he works for charges $115 per hour shop rate (seems high for here). Not sure what else i might be able to do to the engine without opening the lower end. Dying to know if the the thing is really a 383 though.
