Since when do customers pay for someone else's R&D?
Either a shop can deliver what's promised at a agreed price, or they can't.
Happens all the time. When I learn new thing I incorporate them into the next opportunity I have. If that didn't happen, we'd all still be doing 3 angle valve jobs with a stone (for just one small example).
Economics 101: the CUSTOMERS pays it all, no matter what. Taxes go up, the customer eats it. Costs go up, the customer eats it. R&D time is no different either.
And, not to bash the OP here (because that is NOT my intent) we do not know how many times a customer changes his mind during a build. Some of the most costly engines I have done have been a customer who is like a fart in a skillet. Constantly going on the web, getting the new trick of the week part or procedure and wanting to change something in mid stream. That costs big money and lots of time.
Nothing was changed or added to the build. ...Wait a minute. I did ask for a vacuum pump fitting be put on drivers side valve cover.
PSO headed 632 from MM. Cracked cylinder, loose valve seats, low oil pressure, low cylinder pressure. ..... Now its a door stop....
