Bob from Northport
Well-known member
This information is for those of you lookling for an engine rebuilder, or for those who have used this company's services.
We had a problem with an engine purchased from this company, one of a number with several engines. This problem involved a knocking noise in an engine installed-built by this company. We posted the probelm on Ford Barn, and looked at all the information given to us to solve the problem. As it turned out, we found a bad oil pump drive gear assembly in the engine, a part supplied to us by this company. The cam shaft was moving forward and back .040, and we watched through the access side plate on the timing cover as this was happening when the engine was running. The engine was knocking very loudly! We changed the part, and the problem disappeared.
We called Richard on several occassions, and the usual responce was it was something we had done. His answer was "to pull the engine and ship it back and he would check it." That was hard to believe. We sent the part back to him, with a small bill for the replacement and a small labor charge for all the work to solve the problem. He in turn sent the part to the manufacturer, and they advised they saw nothing wrong with the part. It was returned to us, advising it was our error. This particular part only fits one way, it can not go in otherwise. The cam movement and noise stopped when the part was removed and replaced. If they had installed the part in another engine, they might have found a different answer.
We have purchased 5 engines from him in the past few years. We have had serious vibration issues with several, and now this problem. I realize the part was not of his making. But to continually blame the purchaser for problems is too much. Arrogance at it's very best.
We have already moved engine purchases for additional engines to other builders. Enough is enough. We have over 60 years experience on these cars and engines in my garage. I know we make mistakes, and we have always managed to find the problem and fix it. I have never charged a customer for a repair that was not his fault, unless I could clearly show the fault was not ours. Simply not good business. For the price of a gear and 100.00 labor charge, his shop lost two sales, and more in the future.
If you intend on using his services, make the warrenty very clear on what you buy. If you are happy with his services, please continue to use his shop. This was just a word to the wise.
Bob Campbell
Bob's Model A Ford Garage
We had a problem with an engine purchased from this company, one of a number with several engines. This problem involved a knocking noise in an engine installed-built by this company. We posted the probelm on Ford Barn, and looked at all the information given to us to solve the problem. As it turned out, we found a bad oil pump drive gear assembly in the engine, a part supplied to us by this company. The cam shaft was moving forward and back .040, and we watched through the access side plate on the timing cover as this was happening when the engine was running. The engine was knocking very loudly! We changed the part, and the problem disappeared.
We called Richard on several occassions, and the usual responce was it was something we had done. His answer was "to pull the engine and ship it back and he would check it." That was hard to believe. We sent the part back to him, with a small bill for the replacement and a small labor charge for all the work to solve the problem. He in turn sent the part to the manufacturer, and they advised they saw nothing wrong with the part. It was returned to us, advising it was our error. This particular part only fits one way, it can not go in otherwise. The cam movement and noise stopped when the part was removed and replaced. If they had installed the part in another engine, they might have found a different answer.
We have purchased 5 engines from him in the past few years. We have had serious vibration issues with several, and now this problem. I realize the part was not of his making. But to continually blame the purchaser for problems is too much. Arrogance at it's very best.
We have already moved engine purchases for additional engines to other builders. Enough is enough. We have over 60 years experience on these cars and engines in my garage. I know we make mistakes, and we have always managed to find the problem and fix it. I have never charged a customer for a repair that was not his fault, unless I could clearly show the fault was not ours. Simply not good business. For the price of a gear and 100.00 labor charge, his shop lost two sales, and more in the future.
If you intend on using his services, make the warrenty very clear on what you buy. If you are happy with his services, please continue to use his shop. This was just a word to the wise.
Bob Campbell
Bob's Model A Ford Garage
But its good to see we have a English teacher that plays with old cars. I would have liked school better if there was more gear heads teaching. I was trying to say I wouldn't wont to rebuild engines or any thing and then have to give it to the average guy (JOE BLOW) to install and hope he doesn't f@ck it up. Most engine guys have engine stands to run the engine before you pic it up. I went with a friend and the engine shop had his engine on the stand running when we got there. The engine went in the truck still warm.