I'll qualify this by saying my gut knew better than my brain before I did this but...I bought a brand new 383 stroker lower end on EBAY, assembled less oil pump,pan. Oh yeah, "completely clearanced and balanced". Was from a shop selling since 2000 w/100% feedback. Took the lower end to local shop to get top end installed. Now the local shop started the motor and says there is a serious lower end knock. Have to tear it apart, more $, etc. Of course, the EBAY seller swears the engine was perfect when it was shipped. I'm stuck in the middle with both builders blaming each other and I'm holding the checkbook. Anyone have a suggestion? Anyone want to buy a motor?

BIG QUESTIONS: What was the warranty on the shortblock? Did you get a WRITTEN warranty?

Get a video camera, and record the teardown. Make sure you include the block numbers or any distinguishing marks that the shortblock rebuilder would recognize, so he can't say it's a different engine.

When you figure out what went wrong, you'll know who to send a COPY of the tape to.

When (If) they don't take care of the problem, you've STILL got a video record of the problem to show in court.

Good luck. You're gonna need it.

Doesn't help now but, if someone brought me a shortblock to finish I think I would take a look/see at the bearings at least to be sure before putting the oil pump and pan on. Another important check is cam clearance to the rods on a 383. Not much work for the peace of mind at that point.

Oh, yeah. One more thing: Get some video 'n' audio of the engine running so the knock is audible before you tear it down.

guys, I appreciate the feedback. I just got back from the local shop. The builder told me...The connecting rods are hitting ever so slightly, like 1/10000 inch, due to the cam being just a little too big. Obviously poor planning on the short block builders part, AND on my current builder for not checking. And and I guess shame on me for being too inexperienced to know better. Does this all sound like BS coming from the shop? Basically I'm looking at a cam swap, crank clean up, and reassembly of the lower end.

Why does the crank need to be "cleaned up"?

Is the shortblock builder going to pay for all of this?

Good question and good question. I am awaiting an email from the shortblock builder to see if he will stand behind his assembly. I intend to mail the builder a certified letter containing pictures of the connecting rods. If he does not reimburse me for reassembly, I will leave him negative feedback on EBAY. That's about all I can do. He's in IA, I'm in MI. About the only thing that fully cleared is the check I paid with.

If the shortblock builder selected and installed the cam, I'd think he at least owes you a "small base circle" cam that would be correct for the engine you bought.

Exactly. If you are going to finish someone else's work, thoroughly inspect it before you begin.

If he does not reimburse me for reassembly, I will leave him negative feedback on EBAY. That's about all I can do.

You can also file a dispute with Ebay. I left negative feedback for a seller and exchanged numerous nasty e-mails, but when I initiated the formal dispute, I got instant results.

According to ebay, if you go through the process and still cannot resolve the dispute (and the transaction is eligible) "then the buyer may file a claim under eBay's Standard Purchase Protection Program, where they may be reimbursed up to $200 (minus a $25 processing cost).Additionally, if the eBay Trust and Safety team believes further action is warranted, the seller's account may be restricted or suspended".

Good luck!!

Thanks to your suggestions, I made some headway, after I told him I have the pictures to prove it. The shortblock builder said that an employee of his put the engine together. He said it is very possible the cam had the incorrect grind on it. He did agree to send me a different camshaft. I'll take whatever I can get. Unfortunately, I am very anxious to get this motor in, so my local shop is installing a small circle base cam that will work. So, I'll actually have 2 cams to sell, depending if the one in the engine is still any good. Also, I plan to get a detailed work order for the tear down and cam swap. I am going to present the short block builder with one half of the bill and see what he says. I believe that is only fair. I plan to video the start up and record the engine running with no knock, so I can cover my claim. I'll post once this drama is over. Thanks.

One thing is for certain at this point the engine builder made an admission that an emplyee made a mistake, and he has a 100% feedback rating. NO one after doing business that long want to lose that.

I think if you present reasonable costs in a polite manner AFTER you have the new cam he said he would send you he would make good. I would bet your life on it LOL. Sorry I couldn't resist.

Yea why does the crank need to be cleaned up????