[DeeVeeEight]

I had a 383 stroker built for my '79 last summer. It was built and installed by my local mechanic, no more long distance engine purchases for me (another story). The motor rean great for a while, then it started to lose power and started smoking a tiny bit (at about 2000 miles). My mechanic tuned it a few times, then informed me that he wanted to remove the entire engine so he could work on it. He also told me that he would do this entirely at his own expense. He sent the rotating assembly back to be re-balanced (it had vibration issues) over a month ago.
I have now been waiting about 2 months, watching another summer slide past while my 'Vette sits without an engine.
How much time do I have to wait? I am told that this is not my daily driver, so it is not a priority issue with them. I am getting damned cranky over this situation.:WTF

 

[big2bird]

I had a 383 stroker built for my '79 last summer. It was built and installed by my local mechanic, no more long distance engine purchases for me (another story). The motor rean great for a while, then it started to lose power and started smoking a tiny bit (at about 2000 miles). My mechanic tuned it a few times, then informed me that he wanted to remove the entire engine so he could work on it. He also told me that he would do this entirely at his own expense. He sent the rotating assembly back to be re-balanced (it had vibration issues) over a month ago.
I have now been waiting about 2 months, watching another summer slide past while my 'Vette sits without an engine.
How much time do I have to wait? I am told that this is not my daily driver, so it is not a priority issue with them. I am getting damned cranky over this situation.:WTF

Tell them you want the car done in three weeks. You want to get it ready for your brothers graduation from Law School.:laughing:

 

[SIXFOOTER]

:rolling:

 

[Chi Lyon]

That's BULL*&$! man! You tell them you'll just take it somewhere else where they can actually get the job done, and that you want any money that you paid back in your pocket NOW! You should be just as an important customer as the next guy, daily driver or not.

 

[DeeVeeEight]

not recommended procedure

Well, yesterday I went in to talk to my mechanic about getting the car done again. He started mumbling something about another 2 weeks again. I said OK, can you give me a completion date? He then said "What are you going to do, go get a lawyer on me?" Well I didn't think that was such a good thing for him to say, but I stayed calm and said that I would only do that if that is what he needed for him to get motivated to get the car done.
Well, I didn't stay calm for very long. I blew a gasket. I started yelling at him that he has had the car for almost 3 months, for repairs on a job that I paid for in full, that he goes racing every weekend while I get to sit home and watch reruns on TV, etc. etc. etc..... Then I left the shop before he could pick up a wrench and crown me with it.
Well today I get a call on my cell phone from him, apologizing for getting me wound up, agreeing that he has been stringing the job out too long, etc.... He also asked me to drop off my repainted valve covers, new VB&P rear monospring, and some red touch up paint for the block and heads. I'll post some pics as soon as I can. When I drpped off the parts, there was my engine on a stand, being assembled as I watched.

I also apologized to him for getting loud also. Fortunately we are still friends, otherwise I would be SOL as for a place to get my cars worked on!

It sorta sucks that sometimes you gotta act like a jerk to get something done. It is not my first choice of action and I definitely don't recommend it, but it did produce the desired results.

 

[yellow73sb]

Work on your own cars? :crazy:

 

[DeeVeeEight]

Work on your own cars? :crazy:

Used to. No time or space any more.
Widowed, single parent, no garage, run my own business out of the home, got a tissue?
It makes more financial sense for me to go out and work and pay the mechanic than to take time off and try and save some money by doing it myself.
Besides, with my luck, if I did it myself it would run backwards!

 

[Chi Lyon]

cool

Well you took care of that. Near me I know many reputable mechanics who can work on old chevy V8's. It's my new bimmer that gives me the trouble. I've got a buddy who will do minor work like brakes, starter, alt., things of that nature, if I just stay and give him a hand, chat, and learn how its done. Nice guy, loves classics, not your average mechanic. He owns his own 50,ooo sq. ft. garage. I'm very lucky. I just wish he could work on the BMW.

 

[DeeVeeEight]

Well you took care of that. Near me I know many reputable mechanics who can work on old chevy V8's. It's my new bimmer that gives me the trouble. I've got a buddy who will do minor work like brakes, starter, alt., things of that nature, if I just stay and give him a hand, chat, and learn how its done. Nice guy, loves classics, not your average mechanic. He owns his own 50,ooo sq. ft. garage. I'm very lucky. I just wish he could work on the BMW.

Yeah.... My guy does great work.... he's just been dragging his feet.

It's cool that you have a friend that likes to work on the older cars with you. A beemer isn't all that much different than other cars, maybe you can help him get his beer goggles on and tell him it's a Chevy in disguise.....






This car has a custom two tone paint job!

Primer red and gray!

(Cheech and Chong)

 

[Bangkok Dean]

What year did Corvette make the beemer model :huh:

 

[jotape650]

:rolling:

 

[Strider]

I also apologized to him for getting loud also. Fortunately we are still friends, otherwise I would be SOL as for a place to get my cars worked on!

It sorta sucks that sometimes you gotta act like a jerk to get something done. It is not my first choice of action and I definitely don't recommend it, but it did produce the desired results.

It is good that you two worked it out. The mechianic also sounds like a nice guy in that he called and admitted to stringing it out.
Both of you came to an agreement, one that leaves both of you looking good.
Hope they found the problem and everything is ok:thumbsup:

 

[Chi Lyon]

What year did Corvette make the beemer model :huh:

1983. :crazy: