Mr Edwards contacted us about a pump gas shortblock. We had a World block in inventory so we offer to build him a King Krate (at normal pricing) with an upgraded crankshaft. We then offered him (if he was interested) in a set of PSO heads that we were developing. Based on the early flow numbers we anticipated an engine that could make 1000 HP on pump gas. Because it was a development deal we offered him the top half of the engine at cost over a set of original B1 heads. We would also dyno the engine for free. The value of this extra work is approximately $7000
Because the top half of the engine was at cost it was not #1 priority to finish. The engine was on and off the dyno a few times and we had made over 15 dyno pulls with no valve train issues.
Mr Edwards contacted us and said that the engine had been idleing for a long time a grabbed a valve. Because of the inconvience and delays I had eric send this e-mail
On Monday, June 1, 2015 5:31 PM, Eric Budden <ericbudden@yahoo.com> wrote:

Please let me know when the engine is in the crate and ready for pick-up. Mike figures turnaround time to be 2 weeks. Please forward any areas of concern other than bushing the lifter bores.

Thanks

Eric@M/M
After a day of no response I sent this e-mail.
It the adjuster is tight where did the extra play come from?

I had Eric contact you and offer for us to have the engine picked up. We have the BHJ fixture and can bush the block immediately. We would address any other concerns you may have and return it to you all at no cost.

Let me know your thoughts.

Mike @MM

Yes, there have been issues. Should there have been, no. Still we offered to stand behind it, bring the engine back, address any and all concerns, give an exact timeline for repairs and return it at no cost. Mr Edward s has refused this offer.

I've been in his shoes, there is a HUGE part of the customer that is scared to send it back to the shop that murdered it the first time around. I'm not saying who's right or wrong but its important to consider the emotions involved here.

The "low priority for at cost parts" thing is BS, nobody put a gun to your head you offered that. Shouldn't penalize the customer based on your offer.

I've been in his shoes, there is a HUGE part of the customer that is scared to send it back to the shop that murdered it the first time around. I'm not saying who's right or wrong but its important to consider the emotions involved here.

The "low priority for at cost parts" thing is BS, nobody put a gun to your head you offered that. Shouldn't penalize the customer based on your offer.

Who says it was murdered? That's not right. It stuck a valve and the OP says the oil pressure is low.

Time to put on our big boy pants and take emotion out of it.

It's possible the stuck valve was customer induced. And if I'm doing something at cost, and doing the R&D on it, I damn sure ain't moving your stuff to the front while profit making customers wait. MM is in business to MAKE MONEY. This isn't a hobby. It's not fun. It is work.

As I said earlier and will do so again ALL R&D IS PAID FOR BY THE CUSTOMER. One way or the other. The only people who give away free crap is the government, and that is because they took it from someone else first.

This clears up some of it, as was pointed out by camastomcat and Monte (and others) 22k is on the light side for something of that nature.

As for the stuck vale, I know of 3 issues that can cause it. Obviously, one of them is too little clearance. Closely related to that is when a supplier changes materiel and it requires more clearance than the SAME part number did before. Some brands of guide that I use/have used get no less the .0025 on the intake and .0035 on the exhaust. I always hone bronze guides as reaming them is a PITA, and sometimes they are not very round. The third thing is a common one that comes around from time to time. It's caused by myth and old wives tales. When starting an engine, I would rather see too much timing than not enough. To some, that is counter intuative. They think you need to "break in" an engine so dial everything down and back, when in reality, the only thing that needs a break in period is a HFT or SFT cam. Anything else is bull crap.

When you run the timing retarded, the EGT's go through the roof. Then the valve has to deal with all the heat. When it can't, the stem grows larger than the clearance and it grabs a guide. It won't matter if it has .005 on it.

As for the oil pressure issue, the OP has not yet stated what the oil pressure is, what filter he used or the brand and grade of oil.

If you did what you say you did, and your offer stands, then the rest of it is on the OP. I would like to see stem diameters, guide diameters, crank dimensions and housing bore measurements posted. If the numbers are posted the math is simple enough but I would think .0028-.0032 on the rods (ASSuming Chrysler rod throws...take about .0003 off for BBC throws) and .0035-.0035 on the mains. Much tighter than that and you can grab a bearing. Tha is, of course, my opinon. Others may think otherwise.

Mr Edwards contacted us about a pump gas shortblock. We had a World block in inventory so we offer to build him a King Krate (at normal pricing) with an upgraded crankshaft. We then offered him (if he was interested) in a set of PSO heads that we were developing. Based on the early flow numbers we anticipated an engine that could make 1000 HP on pump gas. Because it was a development deal we offered him the top half of the engine at cost over a set of original B1 heads. We would also dyno the engine for free. The value of this extra work is approximately $7000
Because the top half of the engine was at cost it was not #1 priority to finish. The engine was on and off the dyno a few times and we had made over 15 dyno pulls with no valve train issues.
Mr Edwards contacted us and said that the engine had been idleing for a long time a grabbed a valve. Because of the inconvience and delays I had eric send this e-mail
On Monday, June 1, 2015 5:31 PM, Eric Budden <ericbudden@yahoo.com> wrote:

Please let me know when the engine is in the crate and ready for pick-up. Mike figures turnaround time to be 2 weeks. Please forward any areas of concern other than bushing the lifter bores.

Thanks

Eric@M/M
After a day of no response I sent this e-mail.
It the adjuster is tight where did the extra play come from?

I had Eric contact you and offer for us to have the engine picked up. We have the BHJ fixture and can bush the block immediately. We would address any other concerns you may have and return it to you all at no cost.

Let me know your thoughts.

Mike @MM

Yes, there have been issues. Should there have been, no. Still we offered to stand behind it, bring the engine back, address any and all concerns, give an exact timeline for repairs and return it at no cost. Mr Edward s has refused this offer.



Mike, why would I send it back now, you had 11 months to "make it right." You had your chance..All I wanted was a mechanically sound engine. I offered to send it back to you, just give me a refund. So far you have refused.

Giving me a discount doesn't mean much when engine is poorly assembled. Its basic engine building, not rocket science. Was it a developmental deal to figure out cylinder pressure? How about oil control? Checking guide clearances??
You never said anything about this being a developmental deal and that the heads were not a #1 priority. If you had , why did you tell me I'd have the engine in 2 months?

If Muscle Motors is willing to stand behind the problem that the OP thinks he has I can't think of any reason not to have them go through the engine again. What's he got to loose, he's not doing anything with the engine anyway. It's not like he gave them a special engine that went to a rare car that can't be replaced. It was a pieced together POS or was that pso.

So basically you are unwilling to give them a chance t make things right at all based on past dealings. We have to respect your opinion on that. But you are assuming they will hold the engine for "ransom" to bilk you for more money. I can also understand why you want a "refund" but in this business that is pie in the sky thinking honestly. Not saying you were not treated correctly but not allowing them to fix the situation when they apparently have offered IMO is a mistake.

I understand what your saying but, they had their "chance." My decision is not solely based on MY experience but ALL the others who have told me nightmare stories from MM. Havent heard one bad story about Best Machine though. Heres my offer, I will have it repaired locally and MM can reimburse me.

I understand your apprehension, But Id give them one more chance. Im sure they will get it right this time, their in the spotlight. Get it in writing that they wont hold your motor hostage for more money, unless its something YOU want to add. JMO , and I also understand your anger at this point.