73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: Psycho71 on June 25, 2011, 12:01:27 pm
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I witnessed something earlier today I'll never forget!
I was at the little local mechanic's shop, and I use that term loosely, earlier getting my burb inspected. What I saw made me want to strangle two or three guys.
I pull up and there's a SBC shortblock on an engine stand sitting out front. So I pull into line and get out to BS with the other guys standing around waiting as I am. While we are all waiting, a couple of fellas that work at this place start carrying parts to assemble the engine. Yes, outside, in the wind, right by a fairly major street with dirt flying around and everything. But it gets better.
They spray coppper sealer all over the block, piston tops, and everything. Then do the same to the cheapie head gaskets, and the heads, valves, and all. They sit the rebuilt heads on the engine and start the bolts. I suggested they swap their locations because the temp sensor is on the wrong side, and the other head had a plug in it. Innocent enough mistake I figured. So they swap them out, then ask me what they should torque the heads at? Really! I told them I though a SBC torques at 65ft lbs, and another fella standing there agrees. I told them I usually do it in two step, once at 50lbs, then again at 65lbs. Again, the other fella nods in agreement. So this one fella working on the motor, obviously confused by this, says, "OK so we hit them at 50lbs, then again at 15lbs right?". The other bystander and I looked at each other in amazement, then explained that the second pass needed to be at the full 65lbs. I went to get a smoke out of the truck, come back and they are working from one end of the head to the other. So I nicely told them that they should start in the middle and work in a circular pattern to the outer bolts. Then, as the guy is trying to back out the head bolts, I asked if he had another set of gaskets? "No, these are new", he says. I informed him that they could not be re-used once tightened down. So he starts working in the middle and torquing them properly.
But it gets better.
I went inside when they pulled my burb in, and come back out to see this guy spreading the pushrods out on the concrete driveway and hosing them off with brake cleaner. Then he picks them up and starts dropping them in the engine, still wet and dirty.
At this point I asked who's motor that was? " A customer's", I was told. I grabbed my keys and quickly left.
I just can't believe that these idiots were even being allowed to touch that engine! I could understand if it had been one of their own. but to let that go on with a customer's engine is just wrong on so many levels. i knew these guys weren't too bright to begin with. But they will slap an inspection sticker on just about anything, so I like them for that.
Just had to share.
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This is why I try real hard to avoid taking my stuff to any kind of shop. Its pretty much the main reason why I started turning my own wrenches in the first place. Other than the fact that I just found turning wrenches to be interesting. I'll only take my stuff to a shop if I can't do it myself for whatever reason. Like replacing the air conditioner. Its also the reason that its really hard to find a good mechanic. There is only one in my whole town, other than the dealership.
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And this is a common problem everywere, somebody buys a set of tools and hangs a sign outside without knowing but the basics and then gets into trouble handling bigger jobs.
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I would have pointed all of that out to either the manager or the owner and then thank him for not allowing your vehicle to be worked on by idiots.