As many of you know I got screwed by an engine builder here in Nampa Idaho. This guy is a real piece of work!

Well we went to court on the 9th of November, and this jerk had $3500.00 of my money from June 02 2006 and as of August 18th he had not even started my build.

I advised him he was in breach of contract since we had agreed to a 30 day build and I wanted my $ back.

He refused so I took him to court.

His defense was that he didn't have a useable block( his original block was cracked and HE could not find another one..509 cast 400), well the Judge let him off with just giving me the parts stating that since there was no engine block the contract was invalid!

How in the hell is that my problem?
I want to send her a nice Thank you!

My faith in the justice system just went down the crapper!!!
I have served every time I have been called for jury duty but you can bet the next time I am called I will let the courts know just what I think of their clown courts.

I have not been this pissed or literally sick at the stomach since Billy Riley stole my chopper bike in the first grade!

Sorry if I have offended anyone here, but I am sooooooooo pissed!:angry:

Thanks for listening, I think my blood pressure is now under 250/200

BTW, if interested I will soon have a balanced rotating assy(incl crank, I beam rods pistons and all the goodies, Custom ground Erson cam and Brodix IK200 cnc'd Top end kit for sale....I will post it in the classifieds as soon as I get the parts....All are Brand new!

I will sell them because I am going to go BBC.

If anyone in the NW wants to know who this POS is pm me.
I hear he does some stuff for rodders in the Portland area.

I feel your hurt man, but how can he just take $3500 for not even doing the job. I'd like to talk to this fellow.

Like I said he is a real piece of work, and you can bet I am letting everyone that I know all about his little antics and shady business practice.

The BBB is a good place to start if you want to advertise his reputation. I've been through the exact same issue and I never hesitate to promote crappy doings.

I'm pretty sure you can post his name as long as everything you say is true. No one can sue you for telling the truth. Any other opinons?

i ha da builder in vegas years ago cept giving me the run around after he blew the engine twice so i grabed three of my scarry looking freinds went down to his shop and told him i get a motor or i come back and beet the holly living he#$% out of him and take his teethe an cut off his poney tail three days later he called scarred and said to come pick up my car its runn' great and he was sorry it came to this drove it for 5 years for it blew

It really sucks (been there too :sad: ), but you might want to be careful if there's a court judgement in his favor. In the eyes of a judge, he's innocent, so he can probably drag you to court if he finds out that your'e trying to ruin his reputation.

It would probably be ok if you tried not to be opinionated about it, just stating the undisputed facts in the case, and make the readers make up their own opinion. Still, things like this can get nasty, especially when you consider how quickly word spreads on the Internet.

You didn't get any of your money or moneys worth back?

It sounds like they found in your favor you just need to go to the clerk of court and clarify wat your out of pocket. If the contract was invalid because he sold you something he didn't have then you should get a refund.

It really sucks (been there too :sad: ), but you might want to be careful if there's a court judgement in his favor. In the eyes of a judge, he's innocent, so he can probably drag you to court if he finds out that your'e trying to ruin his reputation.

It would probably be ok if you tried not to be opinionated about it, just stating the undisputed facts in the case, and make the readers make up their own opinion. Still, things like this can get nasty, especially when you consider how quickly word spreads on the Internet.

The judgement was NOT in his favor, there was no judgement entered. I just do not get my money but I do get all the parts he bought (everything but the block).

Sorry if I seem opinionated but bottom line is I paid $3500.00 for a box of parts when I contracted for an ENGINE!

The only good thing is these parts are All quality and worth the money if he hasn't screwed them up in some way.

I would sure get those new parts from him ASAP before he does try something with them too. PM me his name and number and business number. I will do some "free" advertising for him. Sorry to hear you got burned by this guy.

Andy

The judge is an idiot.

That's all I have to say.

His defense was that he didn't have a useable block( his original block was cracked and HE could not find another one..509 cast 400), well the Judge let him off with just giving me the parts stating that since there was no engine block the contract was invalid!

How in the hell is that my problem?

Man that's b.s....he took your money, in exchange gave you some parts....god only knows if they're even any good or not....and she allowed it to happen.


I want to send her a nice Thank you!

Man I can think of a ton of ways to do this....but I won't post them here.;)


My faith in the justice system just went down the crapper!!!


Wow you actually had faith??? You oughta talk to all the guys who've been thru a divorce....on how the ex milked them dry....and then some...when the ex was all to blame.....and the courts allowed it.

Don't worry my brother....the judge and this theiving engine builder will have their day in hell next to satan and his demons....until then use it as a learning expereince.

You got off cheap, you should see what they do to non custodial parents in a divorce.

Just tryin to cheer you up.

OK, I have to say a little bit more.

How hard is it for a Judge to say OK, you did not get what you both agreed on which was not only the parts, a block, BUT the labor and EXPENSE of the rebuild. So, IMHO the verdict should have included the $ difference which was everything other than just the parts. What the judge is allowing is for the builder to give you back 1,000-1,500 (his cost) of parts that were going to be used BUT gets to keep the extra 2,000-2,500 cash?? What kind of sense is that? He (the builder) gets to blow this contract off and gets to keep most (2/3's) of the 3,500 bucks.

I would be upset over this so called non judgement decision also. Makes the judge seem either quite uninformed or just wrong. :angry:

Go get the parts. You want company? This builder is pissin me off.

How hard is it for a Judge to say OK, you did not get what you both agreed on which was not only the parts, a block, BUT the labor and EXPENSE of the rebuild. So, IMHO the verdict should have included the $ difference which was everything other than just the parts. What the judge is allowing is for the builder to give you back 1,000-1,500 (his cost) of parts that were going to be used BUT gets to keep the extra 2,000-2,500 cash?? What kind of sense is that? He (the builder) gets to blow this contract off and gets to keep most (2/3's) of the 3,500 bucks.
I would be upset over this so called non judgement decision also. Makes the judge seem either quite uninformed or just wrong. :angry:



I agree...

I think I would write the court and the judge about this... Did the judge NOT realize that the parts he purchased (with your money!) were less than the $3500 YOU gave him? Did the judge misunderstand that part of the contract WAS for HIM to include the block (or at least a buildable block)??? Therefore if He failed to provide a block, how could the contract be void????

I can understand the judge giving you the parts and taking that off the total, but I don't understand you NOT getting a judgement for the rest of your money...

I would also write/send a copy to EVERYONE you can think of (Judicial board, whom ever oversees the courts in your city/county/state, maybe even the local newspapers, etc...). Not that it will likely make a difference, but it MIGHT...


IF the judge did NOT actually make a judgement, could you take the guy to small claims court??? Or is that where you went?

I feel your pain, I had a friend that charged me a bunch of money for a rebuild and then the parts and block were "stolen" and he didn't even offer any kind of replacement.

Wow, sorry to hear that. Take it easy on yourself. Its the holidays.

I feel your pain...
First bodyshop I had mine at I brought the Sheriff with me when I picked it up..A hole sold my motor which was in one of his customers cars,( Even with a witness, reciepts, and pics I couldnt get it back!!!) he sold my clutch and trans (got that back at least), etc etc . Even after the guy admitted they were mine the Sheriff wouldnt even write up a report. Instead he stuck his hand on his pistol and told me to leave or the shop owner would have me arrested for tresspassing. I complained to his Superior, they told me to GTFO. Lost cause, took it to another shop and move on. Never got my motor or my 5k back. There was newspaper and rust under the bondo, everything had to be done over. :angry:

NEVER EVER pay in full til the work is done...Learned that the hard way

Forget about that tool, get it done somewhere else and move on. Sucks, but staying angry only wears on YOU, not him ..He will get his.

Seems these days you have to do everthing yourself or get ripped off. :beers:

Carl, why don't you find a 400 block, use those parts and build it yourself?
If you sell those parts you are probably going to take another hit, $$, because you more than likely won't get what they are worth new. It sounds like you have everything there but the block. Find a machine shop to do the machining and you do the assembly. It would probably save a few bucks. Also changing to a big block there will be more cost involved just with accessories, brackets etc.
Just a thought

Good luck

Carl, why don't you find a 400 block, use those parts and build it yourself?
If you sell those parts you are probably going to take another hit, $$, because you more than likely won't get what they are worth new. It sounds like you have everything there but the block. Find a machine shop to do the machining and you do the assembly. It would probably save a few bucks. Also changing to a big block there will be more cost involved just with accessories, brackets etc.
Just a thought

Good luck

Good thought and I have been pondering that.
I have already looked at a few good 509 cast std bore blocks, one has already had the mains splayed.

I know when finished it will put out around 500 hp and tq, and the remaining cost would be minimal.....

Thanks for helping me think rationally about it.

The whole situation stinks. Sorry to hear about this, Carl. If you were closer, I'd give you my spare 509 block. Heck, I'd build it for you, even. I don't take money up front for labor, only parts. I find that if I take the labor money, I lose interest in completing the job, since the promise of more money isn't there anymore. My machinist will do any work I need up front, and order any parts I need, with no money down. He'll just keep it and never do work for me again if I don't come pay for it when it's done. As it should be. Try to align yourself with people who work like this, and life can be so much easier. I've dealt with froot-loops in the past. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. ;)

The whole situation stinks. Sorry to hear about this, Carl. If you were closer, I'd give you my spare 509 block. Heck, I'd build it for you, even. I don't take money up front for labor, only parts. I find that if I take the labor money, I lose interest in completing the job, since the promise of more money isn't there anymore. My machinist will do any work I need up front, and order any parts I need, with no money down. He'll just keep it and never do work for me again if I don't come pay for it when it's done. As it should be. Try to align yourself with people who work like this, and life can be so much easier. I've dealt with froot-loops in the past. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. ;)

Thank you!!!!

I wish I were closer too.

I do not know what to do now...I am just sick over the whole ordeal.....here is a list of parts I get for $3500.00

BRODIX TOP END KIT (Complete IK200 Cylinder Heads w/ CNC Chambers, HV1016
Intake Manifold, Valve Covers, Head Bolts, Intake Bolts, Head Gaskets,
Intake Gaskets and Spark Plugs.

SCAT SERIES 9000 CRANKSHAFT

SRP PISTONS

SCAT I BEAM CONNECTING RODS

MAHLE PLASMA MOLY PISTON RINGS

ERSON CAMSHAFT

as well as the bearings, lifters and oil
pump/pickup/pan.

That parts list isn't too bad, sounds like about $2000-2500 worth of parts, off the top of my head. I'd end up paying a lot more with shipping, since I can't get free shipping on anything. But that's okay, I hear even Florida is gettin' snow these days. :D I'll stay where I'm at, thank you. :D

More than that if all of it is new.

why didnt you get a different block as soon as you were informed the first was bad?...im not sure of your agreement but i would have scrambled for one right away. if he didnt say he would look for one, i see why the time line was askew and you cant really blame him for that. i do agree you should have gotten a full refund less parts and labor he actually did....good luck

Man, and here I go outa my way to HELP customers that come into my shop. A guy gave me a block that needed more machining than he was willing to do, so I traded him for a better stock block to build. I was having a brain fart one day setting up the rods on a motor, and it spun a bearing, I paid another shop (the one the owner wanted) to do the work. Reputation is all you have. You can see how quickly it can get destroyed.

why didnt you get a different block as soon as you were informed the first was bad?...im not sure of your agreement but i would have scrambled for one right away. if he didnt say he would look for one, i see why the time line was askew and you cant really blame him for that. i do agree you should have gotten a full refund less parts and labor he actually did....good luck


I told him about a block I found, he didn't want to pay shipping.
I was paying a premium price for a long block!
He cant find one when he is out of town working on others engines.
Time line was askew because he did nothing until I pressured him to have it done by August 3rd. At that time he had not even taken the block to get checked and machined. Two months after taking my money.

Our contract was for an engine, not my fault or responsibility to do his work and babyset him to make sure he stays focused on my build. He was entitled to nothing for doing nothing.

ahh, ok, i see...well, what happened on july 2 ?(end of thirty days) if you had it in writing it would be done in 30 days and he hadnt even discovered it was bad by then, i would say that contract was then breached, did you ask for your money back then?
im not faulting you and im not on his side by any means, it just seems like there has to be more info for a judge to make that ruling. unless he's a total maroon. im no big fan of judges but, theyre generally pretty good at cutting through the b.s. and seeing things as they shiould, from the perspective of whats legal and whats fair...at least the ones on t.v. are :)

I told him about a block I found, he didn't want to pay shipping.
I
He cant find one when he is out of town working on others engines.
Time line was askew because he did nothing until I pressured him to have it done by August 3rd. At that time he had not even taken the block to get checked and machined. Two months after taking my money.

Our contract was for an engine, not my fault or responsibility to do his work and babyset him to make sure he stays focused on my build. He was entitled to nothing for doing nothing.

" was paying a premium price for a long block!"
I'm not gonna say a thing, as it'll get deleted but you said the upper end kit heads etc. was 1600.00 cost right... take that from your total of 3500 and your premium price for a long block is only premium if your surplied the parts(i.e. block /crank/rods/)
sorry for your loss .. but premium price for a long block is alot more than you must think it is...
good luck with the 3rd shop ..

Jeff are you bored?

hrd,
I did tell him he was in breach after 30 days(he asked for more time and assured me it would be done)...getting ahold of him is not easy, he was out of town most of the time during what was supposed to be my build.

Judge was a woman, not faulting her for that but I do her ignorance, I had plenty of evidence to prove my case, she just fell into the trap of not knowing so instead of using the info. I gave ger she just made a poor decision (although NO judgement was filed, I could take him back to court and hope for a more intelligent judge)....I just do not want to go to the time and expense of taking this guy to court again!


I have picked up the parts and will now either find a block and finish the engine myself, or find a builder that will take these parts and pinky swear on a time frame, although I have until spring since this last guy not only cost me $3500.00 of the $6500.00 he was going to build the lonblock for but the entire season I could have been out enjoying.

Here is what he (the builder) states the parts cost....

Price List:
Brodix Top End Kit - $1928.00
Scat Crankshaft - $219.88
Scat Connecting Rods - $220.00
SRP Pistons - $433.00
Mahle Rings - $87.00
Erson Cam - $98.11
Balance Rotating Assembly - $299.50

Most of these parts I can find cheaper on the internet.

Total for longblock $6500.00


Thanks

sorry thought you said 3500 for long block..
6500 still itn't over the top tho...
again good luck with the 3rd shop.
what about bearings/pushrods/lifters/bolts-studs/rockers/gaskets/tin/other little tid bits...
my 355 was over 9 g's with me bolting it together with out a roller cam..
6500 isn't over the top.. but isn't a pittence either...
either way good luck..
trust me.. build it yourself you'll be happier in the end..
and yes you can get them parts cheaper... but then add shipping..
bet after shipping cost the prices are not that much different..
shops charge list or a little under because(at less mine does) what we pay we must add the shipping to(they don't ship to us for free) interest(if not paid be next statement) it all adds up.. and the guys we build for are not paying in full up front.... we are using OUR money to build their engine..Our money gets tied up till the guy picks up their engine/heads what ever...
and sometimes that might be 3 weeks after it's done...
so yes you can get it cheaper over the internet.. just like you can get parts cheaper on the web than you local shop...nothing new there...
the town doesn't pay the taxes/light bill/gas bill/ equipment cost and or upkeep... that all cost that must be covered .. some in labor cost some in part mark up(over what we pay)
that is why most shops don't like user parts...
I'd love to do an engine for guys cheaper, and for guys that keep coming back I do.. but It cost alot of money to keep the doors open..

I understand what you say about shipping...but most of the parts listed he got locally from another shop, so no shipping costs were incurred.

I Think your right, any builder worth a shoot does not charge up front, but uses Company money to build the engine and then charges the customer. I should have been more cautious when he needed up front money, should have thought this guy is either a shyster or is so small he may not be any good.

I am not saying I want it cheaper, I mean, considering all the parts I still needed after he was done the motor turnkey was going to be close to 8 Grand.

Carb 5-6 hundred
Distributor and rev limiter 3-5 hundred
pulleys, belts etc. 1-2 hundred
Fuel lines, fuel pump 150-250
Install 350-400

well, i hope everything works out for you and you get to enjoy your ride soon, thanks for detailing the problems you had and lets hope we can all learn something from your experience... i guess its another bit of evidence in the "pro built vs. home built vs. crate motior" debate, unfortunately (sort of) i learned long ago that i can (bleep) something up just as good as a "professional"....and usually for a fraction of the cost.

Here is what he (the builder) states the parts cost....

Price List:
Brodix Top End Kit - $1928.00
Scat Crankshaft - $219.88
Scat Connecting Rods - $220.00
SRP Pistons - $433.00
Mahle Rings - $87.00
Erson Cam - $98.11
Balance Rotating Assembly - $299.50

Most of these parts I can find cheaper on the internet.

Total for longblock $6500.00


Thanks


It does suck to go through what you went through. From what a couple of friends have gone through with the courts in similar situations it hasnt been the truth that " won " the case for either side but who came in better perpared regardless of the truth. Just a well prepared beleiveable story is what won the 2 cases I know of. Both friends lost their cases cause they told the truth. One of them lost 8,000 $ and 9 months worth of time trying to get his car painted

Also in my opinion those prices dont seem that far out of line of course you can always find cheaper prices but it could've been worse. In an earlier post you also listed the bearings, lifters, oil pan, pump and pick up.

And in your words the Top End kit included, BRODIX TOP END KIT (Complete IK200 Cylinder Heads w/ CNC Chambers, HV1016
Intake Manifold, Valve Covers, Head Bolts, Intake Bolts, Head Gaskets,
Intake Gaskets and Spark Plugs. At Summit Racing this same package is 1994 $

I hope your next builder and/or machinest works out much better for you. If you end up selling this stuff I might be interested in the heads alone.