VettenGoat
01-06-2014, 10:56 PM
Below is my BBB Complaint initiated in 2008 and a 2010 link to Stakelum's mugshot for
#1 Readmit Unlawful Alteration Tag
#2 Readmit Owls
http://florida.arrests.org/Arrests/Kenneth_Stakelum_3239273/
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Better Business Bureau
Port St. Lucie, FL
SUBJECT: Customer Complaint against Port St Lucie Vendor, Ken Stakelum
Of “Classic Muscle Car Parts” alternately located at 6145 South U.S. 1, Port St. Lucie FL and maintained a residence at 2119 SE Sunflower St. Port St. Lucie FL.
Purchase and build commenced 10 Jan 2007 and continued throughout all of 2007. Motor was received early 2008. Incremental payments of $2700, $1500, and $1500 were paid to Mr. Stakelum
Specific incidents:
-Included wrong harmonic balancer/pulleys. (owner bought replacement)
- Installed cheaper cast pistons rather than the contract specified forged pistons
- Failed to install two critical plates behind the water pump. (owner bought replacement)
- Used incorrect valve springs to yield wrong spring height.
Mr. Stakelum’s failure to install two critical coolant management divider plates behind the water pump precluded coolant circulation and condemned the motor to terminal overheating. The cheaper, cast (Egge) pistons he installed were unable to sustain the heat and suffered resulting cracks in four (pistons 1,3,5,7) of the piston lands. Owner replaced the radiator, thermostat, and water pump before discovering the missing coolant plates. Owner installed new plates within the first month of operation, but the damage was apparently done and the motor failed within 500 miles of light usage. High crankcase pressure with resulting oil leakage and a leakdown compression test revealed the problem. Mr. Stakelum had warranted the motor unless it had been overheated, but then directly caused the fatal problem by failing to install the water pump plates. Owner paid Mr. Stakelum $5700 for a failed motor and now has to pay to have it rebuilt. Additionally, incorrect tolerances led to a fifth piston (Number 4) suffered a break in the piston skirt. Forensic investigation of the failed motor also found that Mr. Stakelum had used incorrect valve springs which would have eventually also precipitated a high RPM engine failure.
Owner has been unable to reach Mr. Stakelum. The machine shop (Blockhead Machine) refuses to address any Stakelum related inquiries.
#1 Readmit Unlawful Alteration Tag
#2 Readmit Owls
http://florida.arrests.org/Arrests/Kenneth_Stakelum_3239273/
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Better Business Bureau
Port St. Lucie, FL
SUBJECT: Customer Complaint against Port St Lucie Vendor, Ken Stakelum
Of “Classic Muscle Car Parts” alternately located at 6145 South U.S. 1, Port St. Lucie FL and maintained a residence at 2119 SE Sunflower St. Port St. Lucie FL.
Purchase and build commenced 10 Jan 2007 and continued throughout all of 2007. Motor was received early 2008. Incremental payments of $2700, $1500, and $1500 were paid to Mr. Stakelum
Specific incidents:
-Included wrong harmonic balancer/pulleys. (owner bought replacement)
- Installed cheaper cast pistons rather than the contract specified forged pistons
- Failed to install two critical plates behind the water pump. (owner bought replacement)
- Used incorrect valve springs to yield wrong spring height.
Mr. Stakelum’s failure to install two critical coolant management divider plates behind the water pump precluded coolant circulation and condemned the motor to terminal overheating. The cheaper, cast (Egge) pistons he installed were unable to sustain the heat and suffered resulting cracks in four (pistons 1,3,5,7) of the piston lands. Owner replaced the radiator, thermostat, and water pump before discovering the missing coolant plates. Owner installed new plates within the first month of operation, but the damage was apparently done and the motor failed within 500 miles of light usage. High crankcase pressure with resulting oil leakage and a leakdown compression test revealed the problem. Mr. Stakelum had warranted the motor unless it had been overheated, but then directly caused the fatal problem by failing to install the water pump plates. Owner paid Mr. Stakelum $5700 for a failed motor and now has to pay to have it rebuilt. Additionally, incorrect tolerances led to a fifth piston (Number 4) suffered a break in the piston skirt. Forensic investigation of the failed motor also found that Mr. Stakelum had used incorrect valve springs which would have eventually also precipitated a high RPM engine failure.
Owner has been unable to reach Mr. Stakelum. The machine shop (Blockhead Machine) refuses to address any Stakelum related inquiries.