[Tengu]

Well, here's the latest update ..
the motor was returned to the builder by the shipping company who said they would launch a claim. The engine builder quoted $1500 to pull the motor down, check it out and rebuild it. The shipper advised me to pay the engine builder up front for the repair which I was not prepared to do. From that point on I was unable to contact the engine builder to discuss our options through the previous email channel and the phone number was disconnected .... jump ahead several weeks of frustration and I managed to track down a new number for him, called this morning and re-established communication, he claimed he had been attempting to contact me unsuccessfully, and I don't necessarily doubt that, but I didn't receive anything from him. .... It appears he fixed the motor and sold it to someone else for less than he sold it to me. He will refund me just over half of what I payed him. No doubt my response was a little less than meek. Because he's in the US, Im not in the fortunate position to personally visit and shove his toolbox where it fits (or doesn't). I will see what I can recover through other means but looks like I've made a few poor choices I may have to live with. Thanks for those who offered advice regarding other builders and shippers. I will definitely consider those next time ... then again, once the wife finds out there may not be a next time