I talked to KB today (7/16/2014), and they are trying to ship my block today. They need to get the final shipping cost and call for pickup. I expect the final inspection sheet and cost info emailed to me this afternoon so I can double check it.

Most of this has been posted in Wade's topic, but I thought it would be nice to have my story in one place so it is easier/quicker to read instead of going though many pages of several buyer's posts.

I started my attempt to buy an aluminum block in Dec 2013. Since I wanted a low deck to reuse things in my current car with a factory low deck block, I seriously considered both Indy and Keith Black. I liked the features of the KB so long story short, I sent an email to KB on Dec 25, 2013 asking for an order sheet and options. I figured they would respond after the Christmas holiday. After not hearing back, I phoned a few times, left messages and got no response. I talked to a few others and they recommended I phone at a different time (I am on the East coast, they are on the West coast). That worked and I talked to KB on 1/7/2014.

On Jan 10th, they sent me an email with the order spec sheet, options, and pricing. After several exchanges both on the phone and with email (for pictures), I finalized my order on Jan 17th and paid half the bill as down payment. Ken was very helpful and informative selecting options and even making a special change so I could bolt a stock 727 case to the new block (lower two attachment holes are thru holes on a factory block and are threaded holes on KB standard). We had serious talks about delivery issues in the past and he assured me that was behind them and they could deliver in 12-13 weeks (3 months). So the estimated schedule was:

• March 21 casting arrives from the foundary
  
• April 11 machining complete
  
• Then ship across the country from CA to MD

I arranged for all the internal parts to be ready to assemble in April and run this season at the drag strip.

might i ask why you're selling it?

In April he said the block had finished heat treatment and was ready to pickup at the foundary. Weeks later I called again and he hadn't picked up the block. Then finally on June 3 he told me the foundary found a porosity issue and had to recast the block. It would be ready to pick up at the foundary on June 6. I talked to KB on June 20, and he didn't have the casting... I talked to KB on July 1 and they had the casting.

If the block was ready to pickup in April, why did it take until June to find the problem and recast it? Then it sat ready for pickup at the foundary for another 2 weeks with nothing accomplished.

On July 1st, KB said they were finishing another block and they would start machining mine on July 3. Since I ordered the lifter galleries drilled for oiling the rocker arms through the pushrods, they do some machining operations first. Then send it out for the lifter gallery machining. When it gets back to the KB shop they finish machine it including lifter bores, cylinder sleeves, final hone, etc.

I have a real problem with this whole BS give me money and I'll promise one thing, and ship it when I get around to it, deal. He doesn't say that, but that's how it has worked out. I understand it's hard to make money without hard work in this business, but 7 months holding onto several thousand is too long. Ken is certainly a nice guy and has the best block I've run to date, but this is unacceptable in my opinion.

On July 9 KB estimated shipping on July 14. Finally on July 16 they said it will ship today.

I will keep everyone posted when the status changes.

I ordered my block the later part of January. I've had long drawn out rants on other posts about KB taking way longer than quoted. On July 1st, it was my block that was being finished right before 440jim's was to have the final machining done on his. I talked to KB on Monday(7-14-14). He told me it was ready to ship and was double checking with me on where to ship it to. KB said that there was a guy that showed up that he needed to talk with, and that he would call me right back and give me the update on the shipping cost. It's (7-16-14) and I'm still waiting on that phone call......

If the 'send in Your money and wait' trail of tears is the norm for KB blocks, is the KB block that much better than World or Indy versions and worth the frustrations? I'm familiar with the reality of 'not meeting the ship date' for performance machine shops but this situation points out that KB has raised the bar on this 'business model'. Wow,... is the word that comes quickest to mind.

I personally can't see this company (KB Racing) staying in business too much longer. How can this company afford to keep the doors open when your selling this few of blocks in a year.
Plus repeat business can't be good.

Jim, If you waited this long for it, Why are you selling it?

Well FWIW here goes. In my humble opinion the KB stuff is the BEST stuff out there. However I have recently purchased two different blocks from two different manufacturers and they came in a very timely manner without drama what so ever. Are they as nice as KB, NOPE. But I am not a very patient guy and when I want something I want it when it is promised. Missing deadlines by a small amount is acceptable on occasion. Unfortunately I have moved on to elsewhere. Would I like another KB block, yep. Do I want to fund the manufacturing process the answer is NO!!

And you guys wonder why no-one is jumping to produce MOPAR products. If Indy would have a porosity issue with one of their blocks what do you think they would have done with it.

Maybe that's where I am different than a lot of guys. Being in the racing sport for 39 years I study and read up on products before I spend my hard earned money. ESPECIALLY when the product I am buying cost over 5000 dollars. I knew for a fact that that when I ordered my block it was going to take well over the projected 12-16 weeks and I was fine with that. I ordered early enough to leave delayed delivery into my plans. Info is out there if you take the time to search for it. Google is your Friend.

I bet it is a money issue with them, I have seen this type of a deal before. not saying it is but I bet they are robbing peter to pay paul. in other words they take your deposit spend the money and need several other orders before they can get yours.. thats why you see huge time delays. just my guess. you usually have this right before a company goes under

6 mouth for me too,But it's worth it