Cammer parts.

[mhacars]

Damage,

I hope that this "calling out" on Keith helps get your situation rectified. Please feel free to PM me anytime as I have learned the hard way with my cammer and would be happy to help you in terms of sourcing parts. I now know what works and who is reputable.

[slider701]

If you read through the 25 pages of Damage's build thread he points out on multiple pages that he had troubles getting engine to start, went through two different computers before he could even get it to start, even going to length of swapping tunes with other similar tunes from different engines. I'm sure distance, altitude, temp, addition of restrictive pipes and CAT converters makes a huge difference from the tune Keith did on the Dyno. The pictures of the carboned up black cyl heads is indictivative of the tune being way off, especially on a 40 mile engine.

Then he posts video of breaking the car in on a race track flogging it (all with less than 40 miles.......pretty sure that voids any warranty right there). Also posts pictures of it with no air cleaner over the induction trumpets sitting at the car show (maybe it has some type that is used when running but hard to see in any photos), but if not I'm sure running with no air cleaners certainly doesn't help. But somehow let's blame the engine builder and run his name thru the mud.

Once again the common theme of every one of Damage's threads is to blame someone else. I can fully understand why Keith is so frustrated as money sometime buys arrogance and dealing with some customers isn't worth all the money in the world.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Oh, well in that case.... But, surgeries go bad... but all you can ask is that your surgeon tried his best. Lawsuits go south and witnesses choke, but all you can ask is that your lawyer try his best. How is building an engine any different? All you can ask is that a man try his best.

Let's ask the family of Joan Rivers how they feel. You're comparing the human body to a SOHC engine? No human is the same, but engines are simpler and the SOHC engine has been around since the 1960's. No new ground here. And allegedly, an inferior part (chain) was knowingly installed. Just not in the same universe.

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by slider701

If you read through the 25 pages of Damage's build thread he points out on multiple pages that he had troubles getting engine to start, went through two different computers before he could even get it to start, even going to length of swapping tunes with other similar tunes from different engines. I'm sure distance, altitude, temp, addition of restrictive pipes and CAT converters makes a huge difference from the tune Keith did on the Dyno. The pictures of the carboned up black cyl heads is indictivative of the tune being way off, especially on a 40 mile engine.

Then he posts video of breaking the car in on a race track flogging it (all with less than 40 miles.......pretty sure that voids any warranty right there). Also posts pictures of it with no air cleaner over the induction trumpets sitting at the car show (maybe it has some type that is used when running but hard to see in any photos), but if not I'm sure running with no air cleaners certainly doesn't help. But somehow let's blame the engine builder and run his name thru the mud.

Once again the common theme of every one of Damage's threads is to blame someone else. I can fully understand why Keith is so frustrated as money sometime buys arrogance and dealing with some customers isn't worth all the money in the world.

Dude, You are clutching at straws...
It was barely a parade lap

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Keithc8

Wish I was as smart as you Rod Knock.

I don't know how smart one has to be when you spend $60K and only get 40 miles on the engine. If it were me I'd be livid.

Smart? Puh-leeze, that's insulting. I'm sorry Keith, but based upon the info contained in this thread, that's how I feel.

[Buzz]

Most of us can sympathise from a consumer's point of view with Damage's situation - spending big bucks in anticipation of his ultimate build and having a catastrophic failure in a few short miles.
However, Keith is here and is at least stepping up with his point of view and appears willing to work towards a resolution. More than can be said for many other vendors in similar situations. I for one am happy to see that and I believe if emotions and the thirst for blood are kept at bay, a mutually acceptable resolution should be found.

[damage]

Well clearly I'm a dumb ass, if i had of known I needed air filters to stop a chain breaking I would have installed one.

Can any one suggest a decent air filter that guarantees longer timing chain life.

As to the rest of Sliders dribble sorry but if I pay for something then I expect that I get what I'm paying for not half a job.

Happy to wait for a resolution from KC without your input mate.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Buzz

However, Keith is here and is at least stepping up with his point of view and appears willing to work towards a resolution. More than can be said for many other vendors in similar situations. I for one am happy to see that and I believe if emotions and the thirst for blood are kept at bay, a mutually acceptable resolution should be found.

Today is February 1st. According to Damage, the saga started in November. Hopefully, there will be a satisfactory solution, but likely shouldn't have taken this long. And after a thread like this one.

[RodKnock]

While it's none of my business, I am kinda curious what the total cost is for the parts Damage has requested.

[ScratchBuilder]

Buzz/Damage/Rodnock

Thanks for keeping it real. Apparently just buying something for top dollar can break it. Doh. Companies get business from this site, but when there's a problem blame the customer.

SB

[legenmetals]

585" SOHC - Teardown, repair, rebuild, and re-dyno

An interesting read on the FE site regarding valve strikes on Jay Browns cammer.

[ScratchBuilder]

I do think Keith deserves credit for responding, unlike other vendors on this site. Its rather impractical to ship large items across the usa and even more so for international. When the trust isnt there, isnt it reasonsble to just send $$ or parts and call it settled? Probably not what either party wants but reality is people pay $$ because they expect a proven product and or good customer service.

SB

[damage]

Just to be clear on this I also appreciate that Keith has responded on here and hopefully I can get some resolve to this matter.

I requested parts to fix the motor and was happy if they would be supplied rather then shipping an engine all the way back to the USA and having to deal with all of the standard customs night mares that go on with this sort of thing. (Australian end)

I am more then capable of reassembling this engine myself and have the resources and staff that work in a workshop that I own to do the job also. For me that was a far more economical and viable option then sending the motor back and I thought would have been the easiest for KC as well.

Not sure how this all come unglued perhaps emails went astray or something but that hasn't ever been relayed to me when I have spoken with Lance and getting clarification on anything has been impossible to date.

I look forward to being able to say thank you very much to Keith for his assistance.

[Buzz]

Excellent. Exactly what many people (I think ) were hoping and expecting to happen. Keith has been in the business a long time with a long line of happy customers. I don't think that would have been the case if he didn't care about quality and customer service. Kudos to him again for having the courage to respond here.

Good luck with the resolution and the rebuild, Damage - It will be nice to see some pics and video of the car running as it should.

[joyridin']

Great! Hopefully this was just a huge misunderstanding and everything will turn out for the better.

Good luck on your engine repair!

[philminotti]

I got my block, heads, cam, and other various bits from Keith and I have nothing bad to say.

Curious though, is it apples to apples to compare this situation to something like the Honda - Takata airbag recall? Or the GM - AC Delco ignition switch fiasco? Ultimately, Honda and GM bore the brunt of a supplier issue. Does the size of the companies matter? Ultimately, an engine builder is at the mercy of all his suppliers...other than machining, every single part is from an outside vendor.

I'm really just asking as I don't know.

[rodneym]

That's a good point, Phil.
When I asked another FE builder about SOHCs, he said that he wasnt quite comfortable with the all the offerings. That certainly wouldn't be the answer a SOHC customer would want to hear but jeez, look at the alternative.
Even with 'No waranty written or implied', it's still a tough pill to swallow (as someone else said).

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by legenmetals

585" SOHC - Teardown, repair, rebuild, and re-dyno

An interesting read on the FE site regarding valve strikes on Jay Browns cammer.

So, what Jay is saying that is the lack of an air cleaner may have been the culprit in the valves hitting the pistons.

[mhacars]

Good point Rodknock. Truthfully, you have to give Jay Brown a lot of credit as he has tried a lot of experiments with 427 SOHC motors and continues to do so. If you follow that forum, he has a different project each week and has the mountain of broken parts to back it up.

[damage]

May be Slider should tell Jay Brown that his mixtures are way off with black cylinder heads and all.