Need advice about engine surprise
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 583
Likes: 40
From: Sacramento
Need advice about engine surprise
I had a 74 vette that I bought 1.5 years ago I was told it had a non matching GM 350 in it. I never did any engine work to it and recently sold it because I also have a C-5. I received an e-mail from the out of state buyer yesterday stating that the car actually had a 305 c.i Monte Carlo engine in it!! The 74 engine would have had 195 HP and apparently the engine that is in there has 155 in its stock form. What should I do?
1) Pay for 50 HP worth of mods
2) Buy the car back
3) Something else
1) Pay for 50 HP worth of mods
2) Buy the car back
3) Something else
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,349
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Bigben)
Ouch. He may have a case too. He didn't buy what he was being told he was buying. I have no love for the 305 engine. It was a weakling with not much potential, too much stroke, and horrible shrouding.
I would put the choice with him. If he wants to take it to court, buying the car back might have to be the ultimate choice. But if he'd take a good 350 rebuildable core, (I'd look for a good 4-bolt main for him), then see if he'd be interested in that. Tell him you honestly thought it was a 350 and you weren't trying to deceive him. A good 4-bolt main core shouldn't cost more than $200 to $400 at any salvage yard. As long as he needs to rebuild his engine anyway, might as well rebuild a real 350 instead. He might go for that if he's a reasonable person.
I would put the choice with him. If he wants to take it to court, buying the car back might have to be the ultimate choice. But if he'd take a good 350 rebuildable core, (I'd look for a good 4-bolt main for him), then see if he'd be interested in that. Tell him you honestly thought it was a 350 and you weren't trying to deceive him. A good 4-bolt main core shouldn't cost more than $200 to $400 at any salvage yard. As long as he needs to rebuild his engine anyway, might as well rebuild a real 350 instead. He might go for that if he's a reasonable person.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Bigben)
:Edit:
How long ago was this sale?
He bought the car as is, HE should have ckecked the numbers to be certain what is in the car.
This is a tough one.
[Modified by Corey 68, 12:53 PM 11/23/2003]
How long ago was this sale?
He bought the car as is, HE should have ckecked the numbers to be certain what is in the car.
This is a tough one.
[Modified by Corey 68, 12:53 PM 11/23/2003]
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Corey 68)
get him to send you the casting # and we will see if it is a 305 or a 350. Next question why would you claim it was a #matching engine if it wasen't. I will await for your answer
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 583
Likes: 40
From: Sacramento
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Corey 68)
Hey guys thanks for the replys . More info. I bought the car on e-bay and I sold it on e-bay. It had the vette valve covers and everything on it. I suggested an inspection. The buyer flew in from out of state to pick up the car and inspect it. I even picked him up at the airport. He drove it from California back to Arizona. Not really any liklihood of a court case because we are talking different states. Yes it was "as is", but I want to do the right thing even though I obviously got taken when I bought it.
I did not claim it was a matching numbers car. I said it was not a numbers matching car. I 'll check my earlier post to see if I had a typo. I did follow up on the casting numbers they do appear to be from a Monte Carlo.
[Modified by Bigben, 7:02 PM 11/23/2003]
I did not claim it was a matching numbers car. I said it was not a numbers matching car. I 'll check my earlier post to see if I had a typo. I did follow up on the casting numbers they do appear to be from a Monte Carlo.
[Modified by Bigben, 7:02 PM 11/23/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,349
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Bigben)
If he bought it as is, then he has no case. But he could give you a bad review in e-bay possibly. What did he say to you? What does he want to do?
You could offer him a $200 credit to go find a rebuildable 350 engine if you want. Or you could ignore it and take your chances with the e-bay review.
You could offer him a $200 credit to go find a rebuildable 350 engine if you want. Or you could ignore it and take your chances with the e-bay review.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Bigben)
This guy doen't have a case. You got taken when you bought it (you didn't know) so naturaly when you sold it (he got took). Car was sold as it, it sucks but he has no legal ground to stand on. Even if you lied(which you did not) and said it was a 350ci, he didn't have it in writing and is S.O.L.
:cheers:
[Modified by Corey 68, 3:28 PM 11/23/2003]
:cheers:
[Modified by Corey 68, 3:28 PM 11/23/2003]
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 583
Likes: 40
From: Sacramento
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Corey 68)
He has already given me a good review in e-bay.
This is about trying to do the right thing. Not about what I can get away with. Like most of you buying that car was the realization of a life long dream for me and I am sure it was for him too. :thumbs: SO are you guys saying a $500 credit is fair? or somthing more?
This is about trying to do the right thing. Not about what I can get away with. Like most of you buying that car was the realization of a life long dream for me and I am sure it was for him too. :thumbs: SO are you guys saying a $500 credit is fair? or somthing more?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,349
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Bigben)
I don't think anyone's trying to suggest what you can get away with, don't take it like that. I think we're just trying to give you the options.
Yes, the $500 would be more than reasonable. But get the casting number first to make sure HE is not trying to pull a fast one on you.
Yes, the $500 would be more than reasonable. But get the casting number first to make sure HE is not trying to pull a fast one on you.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Maplewood NJ
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Bigben)
I can't find that number on http://www.mortec.com/castnum.htm . :confused: I'm thinking he's reading you the wrong number.
IMO, if the auction was "as is, where is" he doesn't have much of a case. He should have inspected it before hand if he was that concerned. However, if you had it listed as having a 350, stock or not, then he might have a case.
Goodluck with it.
Matt
IMO, if the auction was "as is, where is" he doesn't have much of a case. He should have inspected it before hand if he was that concerned. However, if you had it listed as having a 350, stock or not, then he might have a case.
Goodluck with it.
Matt
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,427
Likes: 1
From: Boxford Mass
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Bigben)
Well, you were misled too. You may still wish to give him a credit for your own piece of mind. Lets get real though, $500 goes nowhere towards getting him a 350 under the hood and running.
I would tell him "thats what I was told..." and see what he says. Giving him a credit is admitting "guilt" and he may refuse it and go for more.
I would tell him "thats what I was told..." and see what he says. Giving him a credit is admitting "guilt" and he may refuse it and go for more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Bigben)
No. No. No. :iagree: with Corey 68. Even if you advertised it as matching numbers too much time has passed here. After a year and a half how do you know that it has the same motor that you sold it with?
Save your money in case of legal fees but I doubt he can pursue this from out of state. :nonod:
Save your money in case of legal fees but I doubt he can pursue this from out of state. :nonod:
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (cardo0)
CardoO raises a good point. The guy who bought the car 18 months ago could have removed the engine in it when you sold it to him and now he's trying to screw you. It's honorable of you to be trying to do the right thing, but since you sold if as a non numbers matching car, I don't think you owe him any compensation at this point.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (BKbroiler)
I believe the seller bought the car 18 months ago and sold it recently. It was sold "as is, as seen" with an NOM engine. The buyer should have checked the numbers at the time of sale. This is obviously a moral rather than a legal issue. To quench the pangs of conscience evident in the poster's words I would send the buyer a money order for $250.00.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (paul67)
In the sales business, they say "Send him a salt and pepper shaker" as in he gets to eat it.
Unless you had a sales contract drafted that said Chevy 350 is a requirement, then your buyer is SOL. You operated in good faith selling your vette with the information you had available to you.
If you have trouble sleeping, then make a deal to cover his lack of satisfaction.
My .02, for what its worth.
Brent...
Unless you had a sales contract drafted that said Chevy 350 is a requirement, then your buyer is SOL. You operated in good faith selling your vette with the information you had available to you.
If you have trouble sleeping, then make a deal to cover his lack of satisfaction.
My .02, for what its worth.
Brent...
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Re: Need advice about engine surprise (Bigben)
I'd say #3. Tell the guy that was the engine in it when you got it. See if a $100 good intention money will satisfy him.
Team Owner
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From: Florida
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Re: Need advice about engine surprise (killain)
I sense you feel an obligation to the buyer. Ask him what would make it right in his view and then give him a little more.
It is the right thing to do.
It is the right thing to do.