incompetence
 

Sorry but it's time to rant.
It's getting really really old that I have to explain to customers and friends that the parts that they just bought or had machine work done is F`d up and they have to spend more money to fix it. After countless cylinder heads that look like the seats were cut by monkeys with sea shells to the perfect good 1967 YT block that was turned into a chunk of useless cast iron destined for the scrap heap.
This is a prime example of the latest in modern butchery.
1.When installing heli coils one should make sure the hole is at least the correct angle before proceeding and most professionals would do in a milling machine not a hand drill after huffing some paint out of a brown paper bag. Also the heli coils should go down a few threads so they don't start unraveling.
2. When you want to use some sort of block filler use some known brand that has been used before. Drywall joint compound does not double as a block fill or whatever this garbage is.
3. Typical hardware store bolts may be ok in some situations , but not so good when you are threading them into the crooked a $$ heli coils for the main caps.
4. 80 grit sanding disks are not the best thing to clean the deck surface with.
5. You seriously think that someone wasn't going to notice the repair on #3 main where the welding looks like an ocean sponge.
If you don't know you better ask someone

Happy new year

Wow! Is that an IA block?

Ahh geez, I better pull out my "bag 'O miracles" for this one! These, buying someone else's rebuilt engine deals, rearly work out good. Oh, but it was a good deal, right?

Sorry dude. After the "monkeys with sea shells" comment I couldn't hold it together very well - laughing with tears in my eyes.

I've done a little bit of backyard hillbilly BS on occasion, but I don't get that kind of stuff on higher dollar hardware.

If I saw that kind of stuff on a run of the mill Chevy 305 from an 83 Camaro, I would just shake my head a little and say "wow". My jaw drops that it was done on an IA block.

Paul will be casting some serious "Gandalf" spells on that one. And yes, I just saw the latest "Hobbit" movie tonight, so I went full Tolkien.

angle/smangle....where's the impact gun?

Some folks just need to have their fingers broken with their own wrenches.

:pound:

You get what you pay for. I'm always amazed at how often I hear "I hired the cheapest guy I could find, and I can't believe he screwed up!"

Finding a shop with the equipment and staff necessary to turn out quality work is a real challenge. I thought maybe it was just this area of the country, but apparently not.

The shop you choose to do work work for you should have copy's of a list of names and phone numbers of 10 reference that a person can call!
Some times even shops that do near pro stock level work night and day can screw up, but all that crap to take place on one motor may be a near record?

LOL

1. Just because there is a post or a youtube video of how to do something does not mean anyone can do it successfully or should try. 2. Any engine I get in that has failed and been "rebuilt" by an unknown shop you have to assume EVERYTHING is wrong. It's usually worse than starting with a decent used core. Believe me I could add to your list! If the sea shell comment isn't copyrighted, I have lots of use for it. Classic.

This IA was from back east somewhere. I deal with stuff that comes from all over the country. Sad to see people buy parts that supposedly all done and ready to run when that's the farthest thing from the truth.
Buyer beware
On a positive note
Paul will have to get out the big mop to mop up this mess, but I know it will get done correctly. I have 3 engines and a few sets of heads that are spot on to prove it.

Steve
I can walk into a shop and in 2 minutes tell if they will be doing work for me or not, if you know what I'm saying.
And i do have my own set of machinist tools to double check everything.

Exactly! I much prefer a virgin engine to work on. These rebuilt engine deals, always seem to be screwed up bad. That's usually why the person is selling it in the first place. If it was a good piece, they would have asked a lot of money for it. If it sounds, too good to be true, believe me, it is! No-one gives away good sh*t for next to nothing.

It's not too late. Aluminum is .93 cents a pound right now :D

:D :rolleyes: :D

Well, you have to keep in mind that there is a particular amount of risk when buying a used, assembled engine, and because of that, it impacts the price fairly drastically. So it's not always a too good to be true thing. You just have to know what you're looking at and what to look for. (Which is obviously the tough part)

.

And that is one reason I chose a machine shop that knows what their doing for the machine work. I do the assembly myself even though I'm no expert. The engine in my GTO has been gone through by me three times and even though it uses a little oil now still runs strong for what it is and is dependable, over 130K miles and drag strip usage also.

This was #7 & #8 rods from an engine that some shop built. #7 cap was installed the wrong way which ruined 2 rods and the crank. if you can belive it this was the least of the problems the engine had.