A bit of a rant and some truth...
To continue the thought from my last post since some folks just can't bring themselves to read and comprehend the English language in the context that it is written...my point was that I'm not real damn impressed that this thread was started by someone brand new who obviously came on here to complain by giving us a short set of facts. Once some question were asked, before and after a response by the other party, what has become obvious is that the minute you start digging a little...the story is not all that clear.
Using this site for public pressure when much of the blame can be laid at the person doing the complaining is exactly what we will monitor a thread 24/7 to prevent. It's damn easy to attack a reputation that has taken years to build up...and then back into the shadows. We still don't know who the hell Donald is...no intro, no basic information...don't even know what state he's from. Yet he expects folks here to join up in his cause on the simplist set of facts, which become more tangled every time he posts. The fact that there are some others who are disgruntled want to hop aboard his train means nothing...since there will always be others who will take the opposing view.
Each situation that occurs like this stands on its own...or falls on its own.
Here's how I see it.
I don't give a damn about the first engine. Whether the problem was minor or major, it was dealt with and superseded by the replacement engine. The cost of removing it from the car was covered. Tough to take a motor out of a Cobra? Yeah, well life sucks...it gets easier the third or fourth time. Done.
Second motor...if it was that bad...you should have sent it back in a timely manner. Period. I don't give a damn about your personal life or your vacation schedules...and neither would Judge Judy or a real judge. Business owners have obligations, but so do customers...Uniform Commercial Code. They sent you the second motor on your word without hesitation or question, and then you held onto the first one for months...their property at that point...and you held onto it. Then you made the biggest mistake...you had a third party tear into the second motor and basically rebuild a good portion of it (your descriptions are the best evidence of this)...
including replacing the valve covers! So...nobody noticed broken bolts or a loose valvetrain? In any event, once that work was done, you had engaged in what is called "conversion"...the second engine was no longer a product of SA, and no longer their concern. Same damn basic priniciple that voids warranties for production cars when you start making modifications. The fact SA honored some of the bills months later was either stupid or damn nice, I'm not sure...a good case could be made for either. They might want to think about "no good deed goes unpunished" next time they bend over backwards for someone.
In any event, you should've sent it back; you didn't.
Then you let the situation simmer for another 8 or so months before complaining?
And then you come here whining on the veiled premise of "just wanted to see if others had problems." We don't like being used around here.
If you think you have a case...sue their asses off. In my opinion, you don't and you'd lose. Personally, I think you would have had a better case against the folks who tore into the engine, but you screwed that one up by blaming SA.
Just wanted it to be real clear what I think about this since I got an e-mail from someone thinking I agreed with Donald. Obviously, some of you may disagree for whatever reason or another. Great...you're entitled to your opinion as I am mine. Don't fear any moderation for your viewpoint...but please back it with some analysis, facts and without "assuming" or creating facts or just because you pity the buyer.
Again...if you come in here with your first post to complain about a builder or supplier instead of joining the community, you can expect to have your motives questioned.
BTW...for those of you thinking of attacking me, you're missing the point and wasting your breath. I gave an honest appraisal of what I think as a member...no filter, no BS and based upon common principles of the law whether you like it or not.
Edited to add this: I don't know Susan or Bill and have purchased nothing from them, nor do I care to.