[Rob B]

Below is a series of emails from which I was in contact this time last spring with Ken (Pontiac Dude) keefer and his daughter. I've left nothing out or edited them in anyway. There was a lot of problems, issues with this venture and most of them are in the posts below, read carefully, it can be a little confusing! I have also tried to place these in chronilogical order and put breaks between each one. These emails were coming from my MAC so for some reasons the response always go to the bottom. I'm also placing just below, the email I sent to him last Friday morning, the 22 of April, I recieved no response and even waited another day before doing this post. This all stems from a rotating assembly I purchased from Ken's Speed Shop and block work done and was told over and over, when I was able to actually talk to Ken personally, that everything was checked by him and correct and I'm not even going into the balancing issue! Even after checking what I could with the resources I had available to me, I should have never assembled the motor, but I took his word for it and got burned and feel like a total idiot. It did survive a shortened season/summer but was never right. I'm by no means an expert engine builder but nor a novice and the one time I took something for granted even after I rose a red flag, it bit me square in the ass and I'll except any reponses to this post rather positive or negative. I have nothing to hide, I did for a year and won't no longer. I do not expect restitution, although some would be nice, because I ultimately made the mistake, all I wanted was a response rather it be a "how can we better this situation" or " sorry about your luck pal, FU very much" If posting this stops or questions one individuals thoughts of dealing with this vendor, I feel I've accomplished something out of all of this. Never wanted to do this, but it had to be done. Enjoy!


email from the 22 of April (last Friday):

I have a major issue that I've kept quiet about after all the problems I experienced last year dealing with Ken with the rotating assembly and the block/machine work you all did for me this time last spring. Do you remember the guy from Cincinnati who bought the 455 rotating assembly that had a mismatched set of rods, supposably a new STD STD crank, Clearance issues, and the crack in the block that was supposably checked when you all cleaned, decked, bored, honed, installed oil restrictors? This is me! I'm replying back through one of the emails from last year if you need a refresher. This motor was never right but I was assured by Ken last year that the clearances, the scratch on the crank, the balance of the rotating assembly would be fine. Told me you can't trust plastigage and he checked everything himself and not to worry. Well I basically lost pressure in the garage last week just starting it up, I pulled the motor and found every rod bearing spun! Took everything to a reputable machine shop here in town and just got a phone call that the crank was already basically .010 on the rods. Now I am P#SSED! I listened to the advice from Ken and now I'm burned again! This was suppose to be a NEW crank I purchased. I'm basically going to stop here and allow you the opportunity to respond to this, I didn't post anything last year on PY about the whole experience last year just because I know sometimes sh#t happens but after just finding out that I received a .010 under crank with STD bearing will change that thinking. I feel like an idiot for even following the advise given by Ken but I had no other way to check it at the time of assembly and was relying on the credibility of Ken. You can either email me back or call me during the day at 513-542-1522 or in the even/weekend at 513-289-3130 on my cell and we can discuss this further. If I don't get a response, there will be one on the forum Monday!
Rob Barhorst



first email 4/23/2004 named "Got a major problem!" This email was written after I had already talked with Ken numerous time over the rod issue, clearances, bob weights etc. and the motor was in the car

Ken says he has Aluminum Heads on his racecar that leak and He uses K&W
Block Seal its better than the Moroso stuff. It works for him. And he
recommends it to everyone... should be able to get it at Napa or the like.
No prob on the pic just need to see what we are working with since you can't
drive it down here for him to see .


Thanks,

Leslie D Keefer
Retail Sales Manager
Ken's Speed & Machine Shop, Inc
(352) 796-8800
http://pontiacdude.cc
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Barhorst" <[email protected]>
To: "Leslie D Keefer" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: Got a major problem!


> on 4/23/04 10:08 AM, Leslie D Keefer at [email protected]
wrote:
>
> > Is there a way you can get a clear picture so Ken can see the crack?
> > Just so he can figure out what he needs to do.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Leslie D Keefer
> > Retail Sales Manager
> > Ken's Speed & Machine Shop, Inc
> > (352) 796-8800
> > http://pontiacdude.cc
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Rob Barhorst" <[email protected]>
> > To: <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 8:53 AM
> > Subject: Got a major problem!
> >
> >
> >> I don't know how to handle this, but we've got a major problem that
could
> >> have been avoided if, from what I feel is the culprit, things would
have
> >> been checked a little more closely. The block has a crack from freeze
> > plug
> >> to freeze plug on the right side leaking when the engine is running and
> >> holding steady with just an occasional sweat type drip, if any, when
just
> >> sitting. At first I thought I might have had a head gasket leaking or
> > hose,
> >> something silly, but after feeling around under the head and not
finding
> >> anything, I got nervous. Sure enough, it's leaking at both ends of the
> >> freeze plugs. Now granted it's my supplied block but surely it would
have
> >> been inspected once it was cleaned before the time was spent in filling
> > the
> >> block, boring, honing, decking, and tapping for oil restrictors! Plus
when
> >> the freeze out plugs were put in, it would have been staring you right
in
> >> the face!
> >>
> >> I don't want to come across as being a jerk about this and I don't in
any
> >> way want this to get into any kind of a combative situation but I am a
> > upset
> >> about the lack of checking details, at least in my situation, and a
little
> >> hesitant with actually racing this motor.
> >> First: I get a set of mismatched rods and if I wouldn't have taken and
> > have
> >> them checked, I would have had a possible problem with engine harmonics
> > and
> >> or rod failure.
> >> Second: I find a groove on the 7-8 journal of the crankshaft that is
> >> unexplainable outside of possibly being from the bob weight assembly
when
> >> the crank was balanced or from polishing? After that, I am still in
> > question
> >> of exactly how true the balance of the crank and rotating assembly
> > actually
> >> is but I'm taking your word on it being correct.
> >> Third: I find a crack in the block that should have been seen in the
> >> inspection of the block after it was cleaned to say the least!
> >> To be honest, I'm afraid that this thing might go "boom" the first time
I
> >> finally get a chance to take it out or if not then soon thereafter! I
> >> decided to have you all do the work and purchase everything due to the
> >> testimonials I've read from the PY forums, Being a Pontiac specialist
shop
> >> and all the advise and comments that are posted on that board by Ken.
In
> > my
> >> opinion, someone who is helpful in answering questions, etc, etc.
without
> > a
> >> since of arragance, and is willing to help out others deserves a chance
at
> >> my business.
> >>
> >> I am going to try the Moroso ceramic block sealer first and see what
> >> happens, hopefully this will put a band aid on the problem for now.
Worse
> >> case scenario I might have to pull the motor again and have it welded
or
> >> scrap the block and I am not at all thrilled about this idea! I don't
like
> >> band-aids!!!! If this would have been checked a little more closely and
> >> found when it should have been found, I could have at least been able
to
> >> decide on what I wanted to do block wise. 400's are a lot easier to
come
> > by
> >> than 455's and I don't have any more to choose from and I don't know of
> >> anyone who does for a reasonable price. Now I have a brand new 3.25 455
> >> rotating assembly and possibly nothing to put it in if this one decides
to
> >> let go! Again I don't want this to get into any kind of a bad
situation, I
> >> just want to come to an agreement on how to handle this.
> >> You can reach me at 800-542-2254 until around 4 at work or on my cell
> >> 513-289-3130, I'll be anxiously awaiting your call or response.
> >> Thanks,
> >> Rob Barhorst
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> With it being tight in the engine compartment I'll give it a shot over the
> weekend, plus everything being black might make it a little harder to view
> but there is water marks down the side of the block. When I wiped it
clean,
> the water would start to come through right next to the embossment of
where
> the freeze plugs go. At first I thought it was a leaking plug. I'm going
to
> have to pull the header obviously to do this, but before I do that I am
> going to try the ceramic sealer if Ken is in agreement with that. If it
> slows or stops the leak, it will at least keeps me from getting water all
> over the place. Is there any particular brand outside of the Moroso stuff
> that works better??
> I attached a cheesy drawing of the location of the crack, It's a pdf so
you
> should be able to view it.
> Thanks,
> Rob
>
>
Second email: "outcome From running motor" basically Band aid is already done on motor and concerned about oil pressure and realized I just screwed.

Which oil pump did you have?
Thanks,

Leslie D Keefer
Retail Sales Manager
Ken's Speed & Machine Shop, Inc
512 S. Main Street
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 796-8800
http://pontiacdude.cc
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Barhorst" <[email protected]>
To: "Leslie D Keefer" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2004 10:03 AM
Subject: Outcome From running motor


> on 4/28/04 3:00 PM, Leslie D Keefer at [email protected] wrote:
>
> > Okay, just don't get yourself worked up until you have results. I tell
dad
> > all the time why get wound up, you just have to come right back down...
Try
> > not to think of the what if's too much that kind of thinking leads to
> > ulcers!! Just wait and see and keep us posted. It will be fine.
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Leslie D Keefer
> > Retail Sales Manager
> > Ken's Speed & Machine Shop, Inc
> > (352) 796-8800
> > http://pontiacdude.cc
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Rob Barhorst" <[email protected]>
> > To: <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 10:31 AM
> > Subject: Re: Attemped repair
> >
> >
> >> on 4/26/04 12:49 PM, [email protected] at
> >> [email protected] wrote:
> >>
> >>> Keep us posted!!!!.... and I will forward these to Ken's so He can see
> > them,
> >>> Its Monday and he's out running errands... I am off tomorrow so you
most
> >>> likely will not hear from me. I have the pics saved so we got them
this
> >>> time!!!
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>> Leslie D Keefer
> >>> Retail Sales Manager
> >>> Ken's Speed & Machine Shop, Inc
> >>> (352) 796-8800
> >>> http://pontiacdude.cc
> >>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>> Wrom: QWOYIYZUNNYCGPKYLEJGDGVCJVTLBXFGGMEPYOQKEDOT
> >>> To: "Leslie D Keefer" <[email protected]>
> >>> Sent: Monday, April 26, 2004 8:48 AM
> >>> Subject: Attemped repair
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> I used the K&W Block seal yesterday afternoon and will find out
tonight
> > if
> >>>> all the stuff I did helped. After going through the procedure for
> > Sealing
> >>>> the block, I then Pulled the header to take the pictures. I took a
> > grinder
> >>>> and sandpaper and cleaned off the area around the crack and then
> > cleaned
> >>> it
> >>>> with solvent and brake dry before I put the epoxy putty over it. I
used
> >>> the
> >>>> quicksteel stuff that comes in a tube because it had the highest
> >>> temperature
> >>>> rating and is the strongest stuff I've heard that's available.
> >>>> Tonight I will fire it back up and see what's happens, regardless of
> > the
> >>>> outcome, you can clearly see that it was leaking around the freeze
> > plugs
> >>>> where the crack should have stood out like a sore thumb and was
leaking
> >>> from
> >>>> plug to plug. This is probably the most common place for a block to
be
> >>>> cracked and generally one of the first places you would inspect.
> >>>> I am extremely nervous about the longevity of this motor based upon
the
> >>>> incidents that have occurred up to this point and will be for quite
> > some
> >>>> time. I will not get a chance to actual track test this for probably
> >>> another
> >>>> 2 weeks because of obligations coming up in this weekend. If all goes
> >>> well,
> >>>> the weekend of the 8th, I am planning on going in the afternoon and
> >>> testing,
> >>>> then if it seems okay, I will be bracket racing that night. Weather
> > (and
> >>>> funds) permitting, I am going to try and make the Virginia race,
> > provided
> >>>> nothing happens with the motor.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >> I let the block sit and dry until Last night so it had 2 days to set,
> > fired
> >> it back up and didn't appear to be leaking. The big test will be when I
> >> actually make a full hard pass on it. That won't happen until the
weekend
> > of
> >> the 8th (gone on a fishing trip this weekend). I'm trying to stay
> > optomistic
> >> on everything until I get some time/passes on the motor. I guess at
this
> >> point we'll just have to wait and see what transpires with everything
and
> >> then come to final conclusion on where to go or not go from here.
> >>
> >>
> Well after making 9 passes on the motor Saturday, it seems to be okay.
> There is no water leaking so far and the car was pulling the front up so
it
> was getting a good shakedown/vibration/stress test on the block.
> I am concerned about the oil pressure, I have never had a motor with the
> pressure as low as this one. It's okay fro now but I don't like where it
is
> at.
> Basically, warm and idling in gear it barely hold 20lbs @1000 rpm's, it
will
> run up to 60-65 lbs tops at WOT. Obviously the clearances from the
> plastigage was accurate at .003+ on the rods. I will be going to Virginia
> this weekend and look you guys up there provide nothing silly happens
> between now and then.
> Thanks,
> Rob

On a side note: When I went to VMP, I basically got snubbed. I'm not a confrontational person by nature so I just chalked all of this at that time as one of those never ending life lessons but after finding out about my crank last Friday, enough is enough. Now I'm out even more money because of the imcompetentcy of an individual and the stupidity of myself listening to the person.

Rob Barhorst

[Rob B]

Below is a series of emails from which I was in contact this time last spring with Ken (Pontiac Dude) keefer and his daughter. I've left nothing out or edited them in anyway. There was a lot of problems, issues with this venture and most of them are in the posts below, read carefully, it can be a little confusing! I have also tried to place these in chronilogical order and put breaks between each one. These emails were coming from my MAC so for some reasons the response always go to the bottom. I'm also placing just below, the email I sent to him last Friday morning, the 22 of April, I recieved no response and even waited another day before doing this post. This all stems from a rotating assembly I purchased from Ken's Speed Shop and block work done and was told over and over, when I was able to actually talk to Ken personally, that everything was checked by him and correct and I'm not even going into the balancing issue! Even after checking what I could with the resources I had available to me, I should have never assembled the motor, but I took his word for it and got burned and feel like a total idiot. It did survive a shortened season/summer but was never right. I'm by no means an expert engine builder but nor a novice and the one time I took something for granted even after I rose a red flag, it bit me square in the ass and I'll except any reponses to this post rather positive or negative. I have nothing to hide, I did for a year and won't no longer. I do not expect restitution, although some would be nice, because I ultimately made the mistake, all I wanted was a response rather it be a "how can we better this situation" or " sorry about your luck pal, FU very much" If posting this stops or questions one individuals thoughts of dealing with this vendor, I feel I've accomplished something out of all of this. Never wanted to do this, but it had to be done. Enjoy!


email from the 22 of April (last Friday):

I have a major issue that I've kept quiet about after all the problems I experienced last year dealing with Ken with the rotating assembly and the block/machine work you all did for me this time last spring. Do you remember the guy from Cincinnati who bought the 455 rotating assembly that had a mismatched set of rods, supposably a new STD STD crank, Clearance issues, and the crack in the block that was supposably checked when you all cleaned, decked, bored, honed, installed oil restrictors? This is me! I'm replying back through one of the emails from last year if you need a refresher. This motor was never right but I was assured by Ken last year that the clearances, the scratch on the crank, the balance of the rotating assembly would be fine. Told me you can't trust plastigage and he checked everything himself and not to worry. Well I basically lost pressure in the garage last week just starting it up, I pulled the motor and found every rod bearing spun! Took everything to a reputable machine shop here in town and just got a phone call that the crank was already basically .010 on the rods. Now I am P#SSED! I listened to the advice from Ken and now I'm burned again! This was suppose to be a NEW crank I purchased. I'm basically going to stop here and allow you the opportunity to respond to this, I didn't post anything last year on PY about the whole experience last year just because I know sometimes sh#t happens but after just finding out that I received a .010 under crank with STD bearing will change that thinking. I feel like an idiot for even following the advise given by Ken but I had no other way to check it at the time of assembly and was relying on the credibility of Ken. You can either email me back or call me during the day at 513-542-1522 or in the even/weekend at 513-289-3130 on my cell and we can discuss this further. If I don't get a response, there will be one on the forum Monday!
Rob Barhorst



first email 4/23/2004 named "Got a major problem!" This email was written after I had already talked with Ken numerous time over the rod issue, clearances, bob weights etc. and the motor was in the car

Ken says he has Aluminum Heads on his racecar that leak and He uses K&W
Block Seal its better than the Moroso stuff. It works for him. And he
recommends it to everyone... should be able to get it at Napa or the like.
No prob on the pic just need to see what we are working with since you can't
drive it down here for him to see .


Thanks,

Leslie D Keefer
Retail Sales Manager
Ken's Speed & Machine Shop, Inc
(352) 796-8800
http://pontiacdude.cc
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Barhorst" <[email protected]>
To: "Leslie D Keefer" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 10:39 AM
Subject: Re: Got a major problem!


> on 4/23/04 10:08 AM, Leslie D Keefer at [email protected]
wrote:
>
> > Is there a way you can get a clear picture so Ken can see the crack?
> > Just so he can figure out what he needs to do.
> >
> >
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Leslie D Keefer
> > Retail Sales Manager
> > Ken's Speed & Machine Shop, Inc
> > (352) 796-8800
> > http://pontiacdude.cc
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Rob Barhorst" <[email protected]>
> > To: <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 8:53 AM
> > Subject: Got a major problem!
> >
> >
> >> I don't know how to handle this, but we've got a major problem that
could
> >> have been avoided if, from what I feel is the culprit, things would
have
> >> been checked a little more closely. The block has a crack from freeze
> > plug
> >> to freeze plug on the right side leaking when the engine is running and
> >> holding steady with just an occasional sweat type drip, if any, when
just
> >> sitting. At first I thought I might have had a head gasket leaking or
> > hose,
> >> something silly, but after feeling around under the head and not
finding
> >> anything, I got nervous. Sure enough, it's leaking at both ends of the
> >> freeze plugs. Now granted it's my supplied block but surely it would
have
> >> been inspected once it was cleaned before the time was spent in filling
> > the
> >> block, boring, honing, decking, and tapping for oil restrictors! Plus
when
> >> the freeze out plugs were put in, it would have been staring you right
in
> >> the face!
> >>
> >> I don't want to come across as being a jerk about this and I don't in
any
> >> way want this to get into any kind of a combative situation but I am a
> > upset
> >> about the lack of checking details, at least in my situation, and a
little
> >> hesitant with actually racing this motor.
> >> First: I get a set of mismatched rods and if I wouldn't have taken and
> > have
> >> them checked, I would have had a possible problem with engine harmonics
> > and
> >> or rod failure.
> >> Second: I find a groove on the 7-8 journal of the crankshaft that is
> >> unexplainable outside of possibly being from the bob weight assembly
when
> >> the crank was balanced or from polishing? After that, I am still in
> > question
> >> of exactly how true the balance of the crank and rotating assembly
> > actually
> >> is but I'm taking your word on it being correct.
> >> Third: I find a crack in the block that should have been seen in the
> >> inspection of the block after it was cleaned to say the least!
> >> To be honest, I'm afraid that this thing might go "boom" the first time
I
> >> finally get a chance to take it out or if not then soon thereafter! I
> >> decided to have you all do the work and purchase everything due to the
> >> testimonials I've read from the PY forums, Being a Pontiac specialist
shop
> >> and all the advise and comments that are posted on that board by Ken.
In
> > my
> >> opinion, someone who is helpful in answering questions, etc, etc.
without
> > a
> >> since of arragance, and is willing to help out others deserves a chance
at
> >> my business.
> >>
> >> I am going to try the Moroso ceramic block sealer first and see what
> >> happens, hopefully this will put a band aid on the problem for now.
Worse
> >> case scenario I might have to pull the motor again and have it welded
or
> >> scrap the block and I am not at all thrilled about this idea! I don't
like
> >> band-aids!!!! If this would have been checked a little more closely and
> >> found when it should have been found, I could have at least been able
to
> >> decide on what I wanted to do block wise. 400's are a lot easier to
come
> > by
> >> than 455's and I don't have any more to choose from and I don't know of
> >> anyone who does for a reasonable price. Now I have a brand new 3.25 455
> >> rotating assembly and possibly nothing to put it in if this one decides
to
> >> let go! Again I don't want this to get into any kind of a bad
situation, I
> >> just want to come to an agreement on how to handle this.
> >> You can reach me at 800-542-2254 until around 4 at work or on my cell
> >> 513-289-3130, I'll be anxiously awaiting your call or response.
> >> Thanks,
> >> Rob Barhorst
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> With it being tight in the engine compartment I'll give it a shot over the
> weekend, plus everything being black might make it a little harder to view
> but there is water marks down the side of the block. When I wiped it
clean,
> the water would start to come through right next to the embossment of
where
> the freeze plugs go. At first I thought it was a leaking plug. I'm going
to
> have to pull the header obviously to do this, but before I do that I am
> going to try the ceramic sealer if Ken is in agreement with that. If it
> slows or stops the leak, it will at least keeps me from getting water all
> over the place. Is there any particular brand outside of the Moroso stuff
> that works better??
> I attached a cheesy drawing of the location of the crack, It's a pdf so
you
> should be able to view it.
> Thanks,
> Rob
>
>
Second email: "outcome From running motor" basically Band aid is already done on motor and concerned about oil pressure and realized I just screwed.

Which oil pump did you have?
Thanks,

Leslie D Keefer
Retail Sales Manager
Ken's Speed & Machine Shop, Inc
512 S. Main Street
Brooksville, FL 34601
(352) 796-8800
http://pontiacdude.cc
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Barhorst" <[email protected]>
To: "Leslie D Keefer" <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2004 10:03 AM
Subject: Outcome From running motor


> on 4/28/04 3:00 PM, Leslie D Keefer at [email protected] wrote:
>
> > Okay, just don't get yourself worked up until you have results. I tell
dad
> > all the time why get wound up, you just have to come right back down...
Try
> > not to think of the what if's too much that kind of thinking leads to
> > ulcers!! Just wait and see and keep us posted. It will be fine.
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Leslie D Keefer
> > Retail Sales Manager
> > Ken's Speed & Machine Shop, Inc
> > (352) 796-8800
> > http://pontiacdude.cc
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Rob Barhorst" <[email protected]>
> > To: <[email protected]>
> > Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 2004 10:31 AM
> > Subject: Re: Attemped repair
> >
> >
> >> on 4/26/04 12:49 PM, [email protected] at
> >> [email protected] wrote:
> >>
> >>> Keep us posted!!!!.... and I will forward these to Ken's so He can see
> > them,
> >>> Its Monday and he's out running errands... I am off tomorrow so you
most
> >>> likely will not hear from me. I have the pics saved so we got them
this
> >>> time!!!
> >>> Thanks,
> >>>
> >>> Leslie D Keefer
> >>> Retail Sales Manager
> >>> Ken's Speed & Machine Shop, Inc
> >>> (352) 796-8800
> >>> http://pontiacdude.cc
> >>> ----- Original Message -----
> >>> Wrom: QWOYIYZUNNYCGPKYLEJGDGVCJVTLBXFGGMEPYOQKEDOT
> >>> To: "Leslie D Keefer" <[email protected]>
> >>> Sent: Monday, April 26, 2004 8:48 AM
> >>> Subject: Attemped repair
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>> I used the K&W Block seal yesterday afternoon and will find out
tonight
> > if
> >>>> all the stuff I did helped. After going through the procedure for
> > Sealing
> >>>> the block, I then Pulled the header to take the pictures. I took a
> > grinder
> >>>> and sandpaper and cleaned off the area around the crack and then
> > cleaned
> >>> it
> >>>> with solvent and brake dry before I put the epoxy putty over it. I
used
> >>> the
> >>>> quicksteel stuff that comes in a tube because it had the highest
> >>> temperature
> >>>> rating and is the strongest stuff I've heard that's available.
> >>>> Tonight I will fire it back up and see what's happens, regardless of
> > the
> >>>> outcome, you can clearly see that it was leaking around the freeze
> > plugs
> >>>> where the crack should have stood out like a sore thumb and was
leaking
> >>> from
> >>>> plug to plug. This is probably the most common place for a block to
be
> >>>> cracked and generally one of the first places you would inspect.
> >>>> I am extremely nervous about the longevity of this motor based upon
the
> >>>> incidents that have occurred up to this point and will be for quite
> > some
> >>>> time. I will not get a chance to actual track test this for probably
> >>> another
> >>>> 2 weeks because of obligations coming up in this weekend. If all goes
> >>> well,
> >>>> the weekend of the 8th, I am planning on going in the afternoon and
> >>> testing,
> >>>> then if it seems okay, I will be bracket racing that night. Weather
> > (and
> >>>> funds) permitting, I am going to try and make the Virginia race,
> > provided
> >>>> nothing happens with the motor.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >> I let the block sit and dry until Last night so it had 2 days to set,
> > fired
> >> it back up and didn't appear to be leaking. The big test will be when I
> >> actually make a full hard pass on it. That won't happen until the
weekend
> > of
> >> the 8th (gone on a fishing trip this weekend). I'm trying to stay
> > optomistic
> >> on everything until I get some time/passes on the motor. I guess at
this
> >> point we'll just have to wait and see what transpires with everything
and
> >> then come to final conclusion on where to go or not go from here.
> >>
> >>
> Well after making 9 passes on the motor Saturday, it seems to be okay.
> There is no water leaking so far and the car was pulling the front up so
it
> was getting a good shakedown/vibration/stress test on the block.
> I am concerned about the oil pressure, I have never had a motor with the
> pressure as low as this one. It's okay fro now but I don't like where it
is
> at.
> Basically, warm and idling in gear it barely hold 20lbs @1000 rpm's, it
will
> run up to 60-65 lbs tops at WOT. Obviously the clearances from the
> plastigage was accurate at .003+ on the rods. I will be going to Virginia
> this weekend and look you guys up there provide nothing silly happens
> between now and then.
> Thanks,
> Rob

On a side note: When I went to VMP, I basically got snubbed. I'm not a confrontational person by nature so I just chalked all of this at that time as one of those never ending life lessons but after finding out about my crank last Friday, enough is enough. Now I'm out even more money because of the imcompetentcy of an individual and the stupidity of myself listening to the person.

Rob Barhorst

[Mini Dude]

Rob, appreciate you talking to me this afternoon and sorry for not recieving that email looking forward to working with you on this.

Danee'

[Rob B]

In Daneé defense, she had changed their email account 4 months ago and she did not recieve the one I sent on Friday and it did not come back to me undeliverable and I am sorry that it had to come to this forum.
Hopefully we can come to an agreement and all parties involved will be satified with the outcome.

[Rob B]

Mini Dude, what email do you want me to use? Also please verify your fax # 352-796-0882.

[PONTIAC DUDE]

[email protected]

She's away on her Birthday weekend, be back Tuesday.

[Andre]

The Dude is a stand up guy. I'm sure that this can all be cleared up

[Rob B]

Was hoping to meet up at VMP and resolve this issue but this year Ken's Speed didn't show. As of today, this issue is still not resolved.
Still waiting on an answer from Danee and/or Ken.

[kaysersuzuki]

not touching this with a ten foot pole but my 2 cents is this should have been resolved right away and not with some block sealer,that a cobble fix

[Half-Inch Stud]

The Elephant's name is Dumbo: old STD STD crankshaft conveyed or assumed, then .010 Rods.

The Mouse name: So, who put STD Rod Bearings onto a .010 throw crankshaft?

HIS

[TTS]

IMHO, Sh1t happens. As a business owner I know it takes alot more than doing my very best to keep everybody happy. And, I know it's hard to follow up on everyone's mishaps. If my customers have a problem, they get fixed. I can't promise they get fixed the way the customer would like- but they get fixed. The art of selling and standing behind any product to be installed by any joe is very complex. Ken has been in business for far too long to have been a bad engine builder. He has not built anything for me personally, but the years he has been in business, without complaint provide alot of info. I can't, for a minute believe that Ken has not come to a source of conclusion for you.

Ken is, from my stand point, merely the source of a product that didn't pan out. Keep in mind his stand point, I know you have your's.

Of coarse I only know the end, and one side of the story, but keep my fingers crossed for both of you. It happens! Good Luck

[PONTIAC DUDE]

We have conversed and it's worked out.

Nuff said.

[TTS]

Good to hear it!

[TTS]

Ken, please call me @ 888-245-3326. If that doesn't work- call me collect 1-504-271-8767. Thanks

[Rob B]

Yesterday afternoon, Ken called and we have resolved this issue above and beyond my expectations. Thanks Ken

I will give credit were credit is due, Ken is a stand up guy and I thank him for settling this in a more than generous way. I never wanted this issue to make it to the board but unfortunately through some miscommunications, email changes, and good ole human emotions, led us to this point and for that I apologize to anyone who might have considered this post inappropriate or slandering, that was not what I had originally wanted it to be.
As Ken stated above "Nuff said".

[Andre]

Almost all vendors are good until something bad happens, then the great vendors seperate themselves from the rest by standing behind their product/services regardless of cost or loss of profitability.

[Bad Karma]

glad to see it worked out for both Parties. I almost tossed up a red flag on PDUDE till I saw the complaint was satisfied and more so than expected. I will Make sure PDUDE gets my Money and my brothers money! I Will Foreward my info to my bro to let him know DUDE is the Man!!!!