Engine builder scam - Page 7

ColoradoCobras. · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-2004, 03:44 PM

So....where is your Ford dealer? Mine is 3 mile from me. I would rather pay $500 more and GET my engine than save$500 and never get it. The Ford racing catalog is worth every penny you think you over spent.
There are some great motor builders out there but most of us are not race car drivers.
We are the general public out tooling around with big bad pipes on a cool car. We don't need a special "look-a-like" motor. We need reliable, dependable drivetrains so we don't look "cool" broken down on the side of the highway waiting for the flatbed tow truck.
For every wallet that wants a snake there are three times as many snake oil salesman.
If you "mail away" for a motor who is going to "warrant" your oil leak, whether its a Valve Cover Gasket or a faulty Main Seal.

SH-- happens...even on new motors. Let a reliable HOME BASED shop build and/or install your motor. In this way you can touch-se-feel what's going on and IF you have an issue you have someone (other than your wallet) accountable.

We independents value our reputations and have been known to fix problems well after a verbal or written warrantable time. Image
pride and reputation are hard earned and easily lost from one disgruntled customer.

High Performance = lower dependabilty...other-wise we would all commute with John Force Funny-cars. Get a reliable EZ compression motor with good cooling and good oil pressure.
Spend less time worrying about who pissed faster than you in the contest.

In closing, forget about the Image of the engine builder unless he builds in your "back yard"! Get a dependable builder at home. Spend more time driving and less down time on your wallet.

ENTDOC · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-2004, 04:32 PM

Last I heard Ford did not warranty their crates or at least many forum members have had trouble with the warranty.. chuck

Roscoe · #3 (**permalink**) 03-06-2004, 07:35 AM

Engine Factory in NJ has a one year warranty on their short blocks, long blocks and turnkey Cobra Engines.

http://www.fordcobraengines.com/Cobrakitpack.html

Never heard of a problem.

Roscoe

Jim Wintz · #4 (**permalink**) 03-08-2004, 05:04 AM

Shnookie,

Still waiting on the new lower control arms from Roger. He says he will have them to me here shortly.

Jim

Jim Wintz · #5 (**permalink**) 03-19-2004, 05:17 AM

Well, unfortunately I spoke with another gentleman this week that had been taken in this scam. I had been waiting for over 2 years for something.

Again thanks to Club Cobra he was able to find some information and get some direction, we hooked him up with the Cheif Deputy.

Last conversation with the Cheif Deputy showed little progress but progress still the same. I was informed that a letter will be getting snet out by the Feds who are involved requesting some information for the individuals involved in this case. I expect to see the letter in the next week or so. I hope that means there is finally something going to really happen on this deal.

Jim

Jack J · #6 (**permalink**) 04-11-2004, 10:35 AM

Jim, I recieved a form from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service saying they are "conducting an official investigation regarding Kent Helseth, doing bussiness as Dragboy Engines or Kent Helseth Performance (KHP) Engines." They want information from anyone who has "conducted a bussiness transaction" with him. It looks as if some progress is being made. I agree with you Jim, progress is very slow! Just wrote this as a heads up for anyone involved with this scam. Thanks, Jim for keeping us informed. Jack

Jim Wintz · #7 (**permalink**) 04-12-2004, 05:13 AM

Great Jack, glad to here you got the letter. I was told to be expecting it, but I have not seen one yet. I hope this means some progress is being made.

Jim

Jim Wintz · #8 (**permalink**) 04-15-2004, 07:08 AM

Well I was contacted by 2 more individuals this week who are caught up in this as well. Again thanks to the Club Cobra web site and this forum they were able to get some information and the proper contacts were made, thanks Club Cobra.

It is amazing I spoke with one of these gentleman last night for over an hour comparing stories and activities that happened during this process. Again the stories are similar but different, depending on where you were located the story and location of the truck problems , hospital stays, deaths in the family all varied slightly. After all of this time it still amazes me how good this guy was and how detailed his st up was. ED you you log back on, it was great talking with you, and if you want log in and post some information on your story for everyone else.

Current progress, still waiting!

Jim

69mustang · #9 (**permalink**) 05-03-2004, 07:59 PM

Hey Jim,
It's been a while. Hope all is well. Just wanted to give you an update. I have also received a mailer from the postal service. I couldn't wait to fill it out. I was able to recoup some money through my Homeowners Ins. policy, not a lot though. I've been playing phone tag with the Chief Deputy and have not been able to make contact. What happened with the guy who had the company lawyer? Can we turn it into a class action?

Jim Wintz · #10 (**permalink**) 05-04-2004, 05:18 AM

Great, to hear you got some money back, how did that work through your homeowners policy, what was it turned in under maybe I can give it a shot.

Last I spoke with the gentleman with the company lawyer they could not do a class action as the lawyer was only able to represent him through the company and not all of us.

I am still waiting on the info from the post office. I have not talked to the Cheif Deputy for a week or two but at that point they were still waiting on the postal dept. to get their info ready.

Jim

69mustang · #11 (**permalink**) 05-04-2004, 08:45 PM

I'm not sure what the technical name was for the portion of my policy that covered the loss. It was something that covered cash losses due to theft or something. I called my ins. co., told them what happened, and asked if my policy covered anything like it. They called me back a week later with all the details. They required copies of all my paperwork. They also wanted a detailed timeline of events and conversations. Like I said, it wasn't even close to what I lost. But it was better than nothing. I gave them copies of everything I had and recomended they pursue legal action since they had the resources.

Jim Wintz · #12 (**permalink**) 06-19-2004, 05:50 AM

Well, no real news yet, I spoke with the agent from the posatl division of the Federal Goverment who is working on this case now. He expects something to happen in the next few weeks.

Will keep everyone posted of any news.

Jim

Jim Wintz · #13 (**permalink**) 07-07-2004, 01:40 PM

Well its been a little while sine I posted anything, but again there has been no new updates. I spoke with the Cheif Deputy, and he passed me on the the Postal Investigator who is heading this up from the Federal end of it. He is out all week so I will try to get an update when he gets back, maybe he is out meeting my old buddy the engine builder and making living arrangements for him for the next ten years?? It is now offically over a year since the cheif deputy first called me to inform me of this scam, man how time passes, wonder what else moves as slow as our federal goverment? Will update as soon as I get an update.

Jim

Jim Wintz · #14 (**permalink**) 07-21-2004, 12:07 PM

Well, I said I would touch base and keep everyone posted, even if there is nothing to post.

Just got a messages from the Federal Postal Investigator, he says they are moving on this and hope to have things wrapped up real soon, these he explaines real soon as the next 3 months or so. Oh well at least they are working it, and it has not been filed away. I hope to update everyone soon with some real information.
Keep pushing on !!!!!!

Jim

thecableshack · #15 (**permalink**) 10-20-2004, 05:11 PM

Hi Guys,

I just came across this post by doing a google search. I too was scammed out of $2300 for a 351W.

I was told that Kent Sr Died and that everything was going to probate (after about 3000 other excuses).

I know this topic hasnt been up in a long time. But I would love to know if anyone got anywhere with this... I didnt :-(

Thanks.

Rodric

Excaliber · #16 (**permalink**) 10-20-2004, 06:06 PM

Thanx for posting Rodic, I wondered what the latest news was on this subject.

Keep us posted you guys!

Jim Wintz · #17 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 05:25 AM

Hey guys I have not updated lately so here is the latest info for all interested.

First off, sorry to here from you Rodic, I hate to continue hearing from more and more people who are caught up in this situation. I e-mailed you yesterday so if you have not seen it let me know.

Well as far as an update I spoke with the Federal Postal Agent, who is now heading up this investigation, yesterday afternoon. He informed me that there is two or three outstanding items he is currently working on to close out his investigation and then the case will be turned over to the Federal prosecutor who will then bring the charges against this gentleman and begin the actual prosecution. They think based on the evidence they have, that once this actually starts it will go pretty quick, however after waiting this long I wonder what they consider quick.

I will update as soon as I have any further news.

Jim

Big-Foot · #18 (**permalink**) 11-18-2004, 06:49 AM

Jim, I've read every page of this thread - Wow.. What a litany!

I have recently moved to this forum from the ffcobra forum. Curiously - There are a number of people there who have had problems with an engine builder (full of BS stories like this KHP dude) down in Trimont MN. This is at the other end/side of the state.
I own and operate (now part time) a small shop in Minneapolis. I was going to purchase an engine for one of my customer's car (My customer turned me on to this dude as he found him on eBay). We never got the opportunity to send money for the engine, I think it was because I told him I would come to his shop and pick the engine up. The email's stopped at that point. Others have paid and received nothing. This guy's price was more than $1,000 less than I could buy the parts for (392 Stroker w/AFR 225 heads). One guy did receive a big block Chevy from this fella that had 2 or 3 different types of pistons in it. Some pistons had no rnigs, some had broken rings and there was at least one rod that had only one bearing shell installed - also, as I recall, the rear main seal was from a small block. I don't recall the builder's name, but apparently he also went by 2-3 different names. You might want to check on ffcobra.com or send me an email and I can forward a string of emails to you that he sent me. I can't help but wonder if it is the same guy!!!

A word of advice. There are many of us in the business. We live and work in your neighborhoods. We have families to feed too. Sure my prices may be slightly higher than Mail Order or some fly-by-night scam artist's - but if you come to my shop and talk with me, enjoy a cup of coffee - you would gain much more than just a comfort-zone with your builder / fabricator. I am doing this only part time now as I can not compete with the big guys that order parts by the box-car full. I can also not compete with scam artists..

Best of luck to all who have been burned.
-

edit - I just read another thread here about the character in Trimont MN "Rodger Bittner" and Strokermotors:

StrokerMotors - Rodger Bittner, Trimont Mn

You just gotta wonder....

Jim Wintz · #19 (**permalink**) 11-19-2004, 04:59 AM

Big Foot,

It sure sounds like something this guy would try. I will pass this information on to the law enforcement gentleman working on this case, maybe they can look into it and see if it is the same guy. I sure hate to hear these stories. I wish everyone involved the best and better luck then we have had to date.

Jim

tmannet · #20 (**permalink**) 12-18-2004, 01:26 PM

Sadly, I am yet another victim of this seller. I just happened to look up his name on Google, and I found this thread, so I registered so that I could find out more.

I purchased a "383 stroker" engine from this seller, turned out to be a junk engine, I have met the seller in person on two occasions, because I live near Minnesota, and he even installed it for me...that's when the trouble started.

If anyone wants to hear my story, please feel free to email me.
He sold me a junk engine (via Ebay) for $1,950.00, I have threatened legal action but from the looks of this thread, I have to stand in line with a few hundred others...at least hopefully he'll never rip off anyone else...
Thanks,

Terry M.

PS I believe this seller has operated as:

Garry Hagen
Gary Hagen
Roger Bittmer
Rodger Bittmer
Dana Dettmer

He has used these Ebay usernames to sell engines:

vanillasocial
sawgirl24
strokermotors
enginebuilders

PS By the way, I have also met his dad (I think that's who it was), he was alive in July, 2004, although Garry (or Rodger or whatever name you call him by) was taking him to get cancer treatments at a hospital in the Twin Cities (at least that's what he told me).