Basement Paul wrote:Here's the thing with Gardner: he does good work, just make sure you get a price from him BEFORE he does the work. He surprised me with a pretty big bill on the Caddy heads when he was done.
-BP
A fella we know had him build a SBC race motor last winter. First time out he bent the valves. Found out they forgot to install the inner springs (roller cam - no need for light break-in springs).
"he" fixed it and sent a bill.
Buddy takes it out again - bends the valves again.
"he" fixed it and sent a bill.
This went on ALL SEASON. Each time it was fixed they handed him a BILL.
In the end it was determined (by the builder) that the brand new aluminum heads (suggested for use by the builder) were the problem.
This guy had him build a "race" motor. He was paid in full - I realize that there are no guarantee's with this sort of thing, but several of the "problems" during this chinese firedrill were misassembled parts - still EACH TIME a BILL was handed over! We're not talking about some exotic motor here - it's a SBC for gosh sakes!!!! Long story short - about 2k was dumped into a brand new set of heads and nary an eye was blinked.
Definitely NOT the kind of engine builder I am interested in dealing with.
He dumped more into those heads for repairs than I have in my whole digger motor!!!! YIKES!!!
I'm sure every engine builder has one get away from him now and again, but it's how you deal with the customer AFTERWARDS that sometimes says more than how you got there in the first place.
Racin'Jacin
