Tech said that the clutch switch needed adjustment and thats why the car would not start and that the transmission needs gears replaced but that the tranny should last for a long time. He said its still making that clatering sound in 5th and 6th but that the first 4 our fine.. Am i getting fed a line?
transmission shifts fine.

 

bump... anybody?

 

When dealing with the shop, don't rule anything out.

You said that the shop is reputable but it only takes the mistake(s) of the one mechanic working on your car to jamb things up.

Weather for comparison to the one in question or just to help find your lost power, have them do a leak-down test on all the cylinders. The loose "bolt" and pieces certainly could damage the cylinder walls as well as the valves.

As others have stated the "loose bolt" theory sounds pretty fishy, really don't know where it would have come from.

Keep us informed.

 

With a Super ram, it may have sucked a plenum or runner bolt down the intake. Just a wild guess but everyone seem to have install stories with a Super ram.

 

What is his level of auto repair education and experience?

"Some bolt is missing and another is loose"? What bolt did he specifically mention? Did he show you the loose bolt or where the one is missing?

A shop that will not give you straight answers to a serious engine problem (and chunks coming off a piston IS a serious problem!!) is not, IMHO, either reputable or professional.

The clutch switch doesn't really have any adjustment to it. It's a switch assembly that bolts in place and it either works fine or has come loose or is about to fail.

Yes.

It's possible that a bolt from the Super Ram system came loose and was ingested into a cylinder. That could certainly cause piston damage. With a bolt gone, you could have a leak that is sucking additional air into the plenum and causing poor engine performance. More air can cause a lean condition and that can lead to detonation at high RPM.

Very bad juju for the engine burned/broken valves, holes in pistons, melted pistons, damage to the crank and bearings, and whatever else.

I would return the car to the shop with orders to diagnose the problems, give you a detailed report of what they found and a firm estimate on all repair costs. If this shop did any prior engine work that may have led to your problems, then let them know that they should be covering some percentage of the bill under any warranty they offered for their work in the first place.

A written estimate protects you against unauthorized repairs and excessive charges. A shop cannot charge more that a small amount over the estimated cost of repairs unless you authorize it in writing. And you are entitled to the return of all of your old parts.

 

Went to pick car up, but still had loss of power, tech says the cars timing is way retarded. Im thinking this could cause that problem. Anybody think so>? The computer acted messed up once the piston messed up.

 

Any metal in your oil? How does he know which piston was "hit"?

Has the boss given you a straight answer yet on which bolts are the issue?

 

the bolt issue had to do with the clanking supposebly and he said it was on the drive shaft, but i know the transmission is fine and he was trying to feed me a load of bs.

 

I will "guess" here. If the damage causes a knock it will mess up you timing. Quit talking with the "Tech" and start talking with the owner

 

Im a patient person, if nothing is done to resolve the problem i will do whatever nessecary to get my money back.

 

that happened to a former member here awhile back while installing his superam one of the nuts fell into a cylinder and took the piston out.
Sounds like what happened here.
Hope its not the case or the shop owes you a motor.

 

if this doe's turn out to be the case, I would suspect that just replacing the piston won't rsolve things. Piston wall is probably scored bug time, possable head damage, etc. Block may even be beyond repair.

After they "removed" the bolt and replaced piston, did they do a leakdown test on that cylinder ????
Did they tell you if there was any scoring on the cylinder wall ?????

 

Talked to tech says the problem was detonation and that the whole engine needs to be replaced. He said it chipped another piston and that he is going to contact kb about the problem, i really believe he doesnt think the shop caused the failure and that it was just bad pistons.

 

Sounds like someone is getting b.s.'d. Not really sure who that someone is!

 

Sure does but i just hope they correct the problem so i can be on my way with my new engine. I know its the shops fault but they have a reputation to keep

 

So are you saying they took the engine out a 2nd time to fix the one piston?
That's what has to happen in order to fix a piston.

(I'm assuming the 1st time was to swap the 350 with the 383)

 

yep but i had originally thought they were gonna rebuild it again, till i went to pick it up. I was less than pleased with their regards to my car, and then they tried to pass it on as if it was a tranny problem. I told the mech that i was gonna have a trannmission shop take a look at it and he said they were gonna poke my eyes out. I told him i knew a reputable one and than proceded to test it out before turning back around 5 min later after putting gas in the car. I have been screwed before by a non reputable mechanic shop and was willing to pay more for the peace of mind, knowing that this shop was the citys hot rod shop. Im tired of the problems and want the car running right and will stop at nothing till its done to my satisfaction. This car is my eleanor.

 

OK, I'll be the one to say it. Is this for real?

 

unfortunately so, i paid 8600 for the rebuild and work on emergeny brake. Im not gonna name the shop unless the **** around with me. They normally are really good and have been recommended by friends with work to there cars. The mechanic probably thinks im some stupid kid that knows nothing, but ive lived and learned from problems with this car, and my first rebuild of the car went all to hell. Car has sat for 4 years and my girlfriend and family thinks i should sell it. I love the car though it has most optional choices, fx3 package, heavy duty brakes, lighted rear mirrors,etc. and it has real sentimental value to me.

 

Anyone in his area that can go with him, hes getting f'd bad.

New pistons dont "just go bad". Either he dropped somethign down there which when it rattles around it will pull timing out via knock sensor or if they DID go "bad" the end gaps in the rings/piston to wall clearance more than likely werent set up right.
Dont take their crap!