Kinda O/T: Sometimes you just can't win...

blykins · #1 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 07:41 PM

I suppose I'm venting a little. Been a long day and sometimes things just get to me. I'm kind of a one man show and I have nobody to kick or punch.

A guy brought me a 482ci BBC drag race motor Saturday evening to inspect. He had checked the oil and noticed copper on the dipstick. Never good.

We get it off the truck and on an engine stand. Off comes the oil pan and I start with the rod bearings. Front two (cylinders 1 & 2) are spun. One is bad, the other one was real bad. He wants to repair the damage and do a refresh so he can get back to racing.

I start to inspect everything to see what caused the bearing failures. First thing that jumps out at me is the oil pump pickup (stock pickup on an aftermarket pan) isn't level in any direction. And it was tacked on that way, so it was done on purpose. It was so out of level that it had 3/8" of pickup/pan clearance in the front and 1-1/4" (yes, 1-1/4") in the rear....you know....the area where all the oil goes on a hard launch....you know....like what happens when people drag race.

So I'm pretty sure that's what caused the failure. I continue to disassemble this "750 hp" (the customer was given that rating by the engine builder) engine....complete with stock Procomp heads, a GM 454 crankshaft, a set of factory rods, forged Venolia pistons with press fit pins, and a massive solid roller bumpstick.

I make a good list of what all would have to be replaced, starting with the crankshaft. It was already .030"/.030" and the scarred rod journal wouldn't clean up that easy. Rods would need to be reconditioned and by the time you do that, you might as well buy a set of new Scat forged rods with ARP bolts. Of course the oil pump and pickup would have to replaced, as will all the bearings, gaskets, etc. The block is a factory 454 block that has been bored .125" over, then hard blocked. The cylinders are well worn on the thrust side so I add in a new set of low tension Mahle rings and a hone with torque plates.

I total everything up, knock a pretty nice little wad off my labor charge because I have a couple of other engines/sponsored cars that race at the local track and it would be really sweet to have another engine in there. Comes to about $2800 with everything.

I shoot the customer an email, outlining everything I found (including the "new" timing set that the previous builder had wallered a chunk out of the cam pin hole, then pressed in an offset bushing and continued to stake it to the point where it looked like it had been shot with a shotgun -- parts of the cast iron gear had broken off, so he had to stake it REAL GOOD) along with my price.

I get a call from him today saying that he just can't afford to put that much into it right now and he was going to come by Saturday and pick everything up.

I get another call from a guy who runs one of my engines who is buddies with this new prospective customer. Apparently, the new guy has decided that my prices were way too high and that he was going to buy a new "forged" crank off of Ebay for $238, replace the bearings, and put it back together as is. Sigh. Of course he didn't tell me that part.

I understand that this stuff costs money. I even tried to call a few engine builder buddies to see if they had any good used steel cranks laying around. From an engine builder's standpoint, this is a nightmare engine. It has puked two sets of rod bearings, contaminated the whole oiling system with metal, and then has a plethora of mistakes from the previous builder. It's a huge liability on my part as it would then go to the race track with my name on it. I don't know if the customer understood that or if he let it sink in.

I absolutely will not skimp on anything, especially the bottom end of a drag race motor. The Procomp heads were making my head hurt looking at them, but I was going to let that part slide.

I guess it cost me a sale and some more advertising...but what do you do? It's definitely not worth my reputation.

Like I said....kind of a petty story, but sometimes you just gotta vent.

patrickt · #2 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 07:57 PM

Hang in there, and the sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar....

Three Peaks · #3 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 07:58 PM

Brent,
You did the right thing. When I was in business, I came to realize sometimes the best job is the one you DON"T get!
Imagine if this guy had you do the work, then through his own stupidity (forgot to fill his oil, over revved the engine, etc....) blew up the engine right after you had rebuilt it for him with the right parts to make it run like he thought it always should have. No matter how much you tried to make it right, this guy would be trashing your reputaion with every other racer he could talk to.

Take the high road and realize there are just going to be days like that no matter what you do. I hope you were at least able to get something for your diagnostic time and trouble.

Bob

ERA Chas · #4 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 07:58 PM

Brent-that's the best customer you NEVER got. I'd have told him before unloading from the truck "I get $200 flat for tear down and inspection."
After opening, I'd have said "I can't help you".
The guy is an obvious D**k and even if he paid and you made it right, his piss-poor judgment and operational practices would have made another grenade.
Then what?? "Lykins did this" and you take a worse advertising hit than passing on a $3K job.
Stick to your gut and your rep will remain first class as we here and on FE know it.

ERA Chas · #5 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:00 PM

Yikes! Peaks and I posted the same thoughts the SAME MINUTE!
Great minds...

blykins · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:03 PM

I honestly don't think he's a bad guy. I think his budget has clouded his common sense. Understandable. Especially after he had sunk $7000 previously on this engine....to just get the parts that he got. Kinda sad really.

patrickt · #7 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins

I honestly don't think he's a bad guy. I think his budget has clouded his common sense. Understandable. Especially after he had sunk $7000 previously on this engine....to just get the parts that he got. Kinda sad really.

I've said it before... you're just too nice a guy.

blykins · #8 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:06 PM

Nothing wrong with that. Customer service gets me a lot of repeat business.

ERA Chas · #9 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:06 PM

Even if he's not bad-a guy should be much smarter about the subject when choosing and dealing with a pro builder.

blykins · #10 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:08 PM

Chas, I've found that a lot of drivers are just that -- drivers. They have really no clue about what happens internally. They just want to pay for an engine, get it in the car, and push the gas pedal.

patrickt · #11 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:11 PM

The most difficult part of any business relationship is managing the expectations of the other side.

blykins · #12 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:14 PM

I agree with that.

I may post a picture of that pump pickup just so you guys can have a good laugh before the night's over.

elmariachi · #13 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins

Nothing wrong with that. Customer service gets me a lot of repeat business.

Truer words never spoken. Take me for example...I am out trying to burn up my clutch just so you can sell me another one.

The idiot did you a favor by taking his junk elsewhere.

.

blykins · #14 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:16 PM

I make more money on engines....how about you go drain the oil and fire it up.

elmariachi · #15 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins

I make more money on engines....how about you go drain the oil and fire it up.

Ummmmmmmmmm. No.

blykins · #16 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:18 PM

Well, at least you thought about it. You guys are so cool.....

patrickt · #17 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins

Well, at least you thought about it. You guys are so cool.....

I won't even suggest that this was a "sign from above" that you should turn your attention towards your own FE build....

ERA Chas · #18 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:26 PM

You just did...

blykins · #19 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:29 PM

Alright guys.....thanks for letting me vent. Starting up a new business isn't exactly easy, especially with all the competition, both local, and internet. Sacrificing integrity to get a leg up just doesn't sound kosher though.

Headed to bed. Y'all be good.

patrickt · #20 (**permalink**) 06-30-2011, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blykins

Sacrificing integrity to get a leg up just doesn't sound kosher though.

In the car hobby/engine building world, a lot of them aren't really sacrificing integrity since they didn't have any to start with.