Thanks for all your great advice.
Here's an update:
Yesterday, I called one of the forum members here to stop by the shop (since he is also familiar with them), and look for the leak and give me his opinion. I asked him after his review (third party's opinion), to please tell me whether he sees a leak or not. If it's not leaking, then please tell me that I'm smoking dope and I should go suck on a pipe. The fact is, I see oil and the builder says it's dry.
Now, here's a little background about myself: I graduated from Law School. I hope it taught me the difference between wet versus dry. I am doubting myself now. I assume I am stupid. Therefore, I wanted to get a third opinion (from one of the TC forum members who lives near by). Unfortunately, he was unable to stop by and look at the motor.
So, here's what I did yerterday: I called the shop. The owner's wife answers the phone. I said, "Hi Arlene, this is Tony. Please don't get upset with my request as I respect your knowledge, your reputation, and your work. However, because I see an oil leak between the heads and the block, could you please do a "color-dye" test? It's better to be overly cautious since the motor is not in the car yet. Also I AM WILLING TO PAY THE COLOR-DYE TEST."
Her simple answer, and I quote, "NO!"
This is what I hate...they feel they have me by the balls. I've paid everthing up front. My car is apart. It's hard to just pick up and go to another shop. At one point I came really close to getting a tow truck, go to their shop, put the car and motor on the a flat bed and go to another shop. This is how ugly it got at one point, unfortunately.
Here's the rest of my conversation. The wife puts me on hold after she said, "NO!".
The owner gets on the phone. I said, "Joe, please don't take things personal as I respect your knowledge and work. All I am asking is a color-dye test. I'll pay for it. Moreover, if we do find something wrong and if you have to tear the motor apart, I, TONY (the customer), WILL PAY FOR ALL THE COSTS."
He said, "Don't worry. We have a good reputation. We have been building motors for years. All the motors we build are dry. They do not leak! We don't need the dye test."
First of, don't you guys think my offer is more than reasonable? For crying out loud... I am offering to pay for everything. How many customers would offer this proposal? And the motor is not even done yet and here I'm offering to pay to tear it down if he has to.
Back to the conversation. I said, "Joe, I thank you for your confidence. I respect you as an engine builder. This is going to be a show car. I can't and don't want it to leak. Also, it will have your name on it as an engine builder. What can you do to help me if it leaks after I get the car?"
He said, "Don't worry, we'll take care of you!"
O.K., now I feel a little better. But, I would prefer not having a leak and having to put the car back in the shop, even if they don't charge me for fixing it. But, I prefer not have to deal with it at all if we can take care of it now. Is this reasonable? Or am I too anal? I can handle the truth. I am a perfectionist. I admit this. But, I am willing to pay for it as indicated above.
Conclusion: Here's my main concern...Once I pick up the car and drive away. Should something happen like a leak, here's what the shop is going to say, "Sorry, it's a hi-performance motor. It's also supercharged. We can't guarantee hi-performance motors that was built for racing. If customers take their car to the track or over-revs the motor, and it starts leaking, we can not guarantee this. In other words, once I'm off their lot, sorry out of luck fella.
They could say, "the motor was dry when you drove it off the lot. We met our promise."
Here's another thing, they won't put thing in writing. I have asked for thing in writing in the past, and they refused.
For example, before they built the motor, I ask for the estimated completion date. The owner said, "once we get all the parts, it will take approsimately two weeks to build and complete your motor."
I asked him to put this in writing. He refused. I figured since it's a reputable shop, I'll have to trust him.
Now, it's closed to FOUR months later and yet, it is not completed. But, I am willing to wait, so long as I get a good product. Is this reasonable on my part? If not, please let me know and I'll go suck on a pipe.
Well it doesn't look like they are going to do the dye test. I guess I have to take his word of confidence that it won't leak.
But here's one thing I have going for me: I have pictures and a "video" of the leak between the heads and block. Should it leak after I pick the car up (and I hope not), I plan to have it fixed at another shop, take him to court (I hope I don't have to do this), and ask for costs incurred.
Would this be prudent?
Sorry for the long post but just wanted to share with you the issues so that we can all learn from each other.
Thanks.
