Engine builder support ( or lack of )
Discussion
Hi, I recently paid around 6000 pds to a well known supplier of V8's for a stroker ford 302 to fit into my Mk 1V Cobra.
After collecting the car from a well known marque specialist who had done the installation work, I got home to find there was a n oil leak coming from the front of the bell housing.
After running in th car was returned to the installer for some other work, and after paying my specialist to remove gearbox to investigate leak it was clear it was coming from t he rear main crankshaft oil seal.
I took the opportunity to open a discussion with the engine builder, who was aggressively defenssive, but didi agree too send his builder to examine the car whilst on the ramp at the marque sepecialist.
On examination by removing the sump, the builder agreed the leak was as described, and also found around 25 thou end float on the centre main bearing. Both items were replaced in situ.
Two other issues also came to light. Firstly that some problems with a seized tilton clutch mechanism was the claimed cause of the excessive end float, and secondly the engine had been supplied with the wrong dipstick, which meant it had been running with around 2 litres excess oil.
The engine builder has since emailed me describing thier point of view.;- thye have helped as much as they are willing and my warranty has been cancelled. Secondly the excessive endfloat was caused by the failiure of the Tilton clutch mechanism.
Bottom line, the engine is till leaking oil, and the engine builders have made it plain they want no more to do with it, or me.
What would you do next. ( I want to avoid further useless expenditure)
After collecting the car from a well known marque specialist who had done the installation work, I got home to find there was a n oil leak coming from the front of the bell housing.
After running in th car was returned to the installer for some other work, and after paying my specialist to remove gearbox to investigate leak it was clear it was coming from t he rear main crankshaft oil seal.
I took the opportunity to open a discussion with the engine builder, who was aggressively defenssive, but didi agree too send his builder to examine the car whilst on the ramp at the marque sepecialist.
On examination by removing the sump, the builder agreed the leak was as described, and also found around 25 thou end float on the centre main bearing. Both items were replaced in situ.
Two other issues also came to light. Firstly that some problems with a seized tilton clutch mechanism was the claimed cause of the excessive end float, and secondly the engine had been supplied with the wrong dipstick, which meant it had been running with around 2 litres excess oil.
The engine builder has since emailed me describing thier point of view.;- thye have helped as much as they are willing and my warranty has been cancelled. Secondly the excessive endfloat was caused by the failiure of the Tilton clutch mechanism.
Bottom line, the engine is till leaking oil, and the engine builders have made it plain they want no more to do with it, or me.
What would you do next. ( I want to avoid further useless expenditure)
If they have made any sort of warranty to you then they cannot just cancel it. That would be a basic contract position.
It depends if you have reasonable proof that their work came with a warranty for any period.
However, when you discover an unscrupulous outfit, it is often very hard to get satisfaction from them and one will often have to just suck it down. Which is why reputation in vertical market suppliers counts for so much.
It depends if you have reasonable proof that their work came with a warranty for any period.
However, when you discover an unscrupulous outfit, it is often very hard to get satisfaction from them and one will often have to just suck it down. Which is why reputation in vertical market suppliers counts for so much.
godridge said:
Two other issues also came to light. Firstly that some problems with a seized tilton clutch mechanism was the claimed cause of the excessive end float, and secondly the engine had been supplied with the wrong dipstick, which meant it had been running with around 2 litres excess oil.
Who supplied the engine? Did you supply it to them as "complete" or did they supply it? What work was agreed as part of the job? The engine was supplied as a reconned block with new internals, heads, carb etc and test run before delivery.
It was supplied without flywheel and clutch assembly. The flywhell was fitted at installation phase, and clutch assemble was already in the car, although it turned out to be faulty, and replaced with new Tilton unit.
The car did just over 1000 run in miles.
I did my shopping for a builder on the web. did not visit, but references seemed good.
Not sure if I can name names?
It was supplied without flywheel and clutch assembly. The flywhell was fitted at installation phase, and clutch assemble was already in the car, although it turned out to be faulty, and replaced with new Tilton unit.
The car did just over 1000 run in miles.
I did my shopping for a builder on the web. did not visit, but references seemed good.
Not sure if I can name names?
godridge said:
The engine was supplied as a reconned block with new internals, heads, carb etc and test run before delivery.
It was supplied without flywheel and clutch assembly. The flywhell was fitted at installation phase, and clutch assemble was already in the car, although it turned out to be faulty, and replaced with new Tilton unit.
The car did just over 1000 run in miles.
I did my shopping for a builder on the web. did not visit, but references seemed good.
Not sure if I can name names?
I wouldn't name names (see site terms) as it tends to get threads and locked.It was supplied without flywheel and clutch assembly. The flywhell was fitted at installation phase, and clutch assemble was already in the car, although it turned out to be faulty, and replaced with new Tilton unit.
The car did just over 1000 run in miles.
I did my shopping for a builder on the web. did not visit, but references seemed good.
Not sure if I can name names?
For clarity did you supply the reconned block, or did they?
Block supplied as part of engine package.
Box not easy to remove, 4 hrs in/out at 60pds/hr + vat.
Can't describe what was at fault on the old clutch actuator. What I have been told is that when the installer started to road test almost immediately found he could'nt select gears, and pedal went to floor. He was only just out of his workshop. It was not loss of hydraulic fluid. Clutch actuator is radial.
Whats OP?
Box not easy to remove, 4 hrs in/out at 60pds/hr + vat.
Can't describe what was at fault on the old clutch actuator. What I have been told is that when the installer started to road test almost immediately found he could'nt select gears, and pedal went to floor. He was only just out of his workshop. It was not loss of hydraulic fluid. Clutch actuator is radial.
Whats OP?
Sorry mate, but if I had just paid for a very expensive engine build and discovered an oil leak from the crankshaft seal it would have gone straight back there and then.
I'm also struggling to see how a faulty clutch could cause that much end-float, too. If it's torn that much from the shells, I worry about the life expectancy of the rest of the engine with the debris that might be floating about.
I'm also struggling to see how a faulty clutch could cause that much end-float, too. If it's torn that much from the shells, I worry about the life expectancy of the rest of the engine with the debris that might be floating about.
I assume from reading the thread. The engine builder has cancelled any warranty as they are claiming the engine has been damaged, by the failure of components not supplied or fitted by them...
My first thought would be to get expert independent assessment of that.
It may be that the engine builder is totally correct there, and they have in fact already carried out work that they were under no obligation to do, out of good will.
Or they might be a bunch of shoddy flyby nights... Who stung you 6k for a. Resprayed scrapper..
It is possible to damage crank bearings by an over extending clutch mechanism.
Either way sound like the engine could do with a strip down... Fully identify the cause. If it is down to the screw them.... If not and it is down to other parts or poor fitment a more reconcilitory approach might get you a good deal for them to rebuild it
An engine builder I know had an engine back after it had seized, with the buyer screaming blue murder and all sorts.... Reason for the blow up.... The remote oil filter housing put on when the buyer installed it in the car ( and not supplied b the engine builder). Fell off!!!
Fortunately for the engine builder he was at the track day where it happened.... After pointing this out he still gave the guy a good deal on a 2nd rebuild.... Id have told him to foxtrot Oscar, or at least pay full retail.....
P.s. name and shame will get the thread pulled.
My first thought would be to get expert independent assessment of that.
It may be that the engine builder is totally correct there, and they have in fact already carried out work that they were under no obligation to do, out of good will.
Or they might be a bunch of shoddy flyby nights... Who stung you 6k for a. Resprayed scrapper..
It is possible to damage crank bearings by an over extending clutch mechanism.
Either way sound like the engine could do with a strip down... Fully identify the cause. If it is down to the screw them.... If not and it is down to other parts or poor fitment a more reconcilitory approach might get you a good deal for them to rebuild it
An engine builder I know had an engine back after it had seized, with the buyer screaming blue murder and all sorts.... Reason for the blow up.... The remote oil filter housing put on when the buyer installed it in the car ( and not supplied b the engine builder). Fell off!!!
Fortunately for the engine builder he was at the track day where it happened.... After pointing this out he still gave the guy a good deal on a 2nd rebuild.... Id have told him to foxtrot Oscar, or at least pay full retail.....
P.s. name and shame will get the thread pulled.
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