USAMilRet
Member
- 390
- 15
- 18
- Location
- Tampa, Florida
Thank you for thinking that I would get it whipped. I know I will get it whipped. And I know that I can get the support I need from the members here.
I had nine months to think about it, the pros and cons, and the talking with the owner back and forth. I was never able to talk with the mechanic though. Now Scott's wife just had a baby boy a couple of weeks after they tore down this genset so he claims that he was not as involved with this one as he normally was with others. I understand that from a parent, but from a businessman, nothing will kill your business faster than pissing on one of your customers. So there is that and I knew along the way that he was not putting as much into this as he normally did. Small company, does this only on nights and week-ends (has another full time job), new baby, low overhead, his garage is his work place....well, like most of us here at one time or another.
Whether he is a professional or what level of professionalism he has in this field is unknown to me. His website says since 2009 so he must have been doing something right to stay in business since 2009.
Thank you for your insights on the membership. And here I was told that you fell into that category as well and I am sure the "others" will take your statement as a compliment. Thank you also for coming back then. Yes I remember the thread where you summed it all up. And unfortunately things keep on coming up to convolute the thread even more. Published......yeah, I was just looking at the length of this thread. It is a long, convoluted, ever changing scenario and if you miss a day, you are left behind. I am sorry that you feel that I got raked across the table. In the long run you may be right. I fully understood what I was getting into. I am also fully aware that these engines are almost "stupidly simple" for anyone mechanically inclined but can be considered a menace for others.
OK, I understand why you think I got reamed. And I will share the information at the end of the thread. I am not going to alienate a source for free parts right now. So at the end of the "saga", all will be revealed and people can make their own determination as to whether they will do business with this guy or not. I have a feeling that some of the membership has done business with Scott and have their own views. As far as the top end, aside from the broken rocker arm, there is nothing wrong with it. The work done on it included regrinding all the valves, replacing two of the valves that were borderline, replacing all the springs, seals, etc, and having the head shaved to ensure is was flat. I have see brand new parts come apart. And I am not going to blame the machine shop because they did not install the rocker arms, the diesel rebuilder did. So the head is very nice and or a very good quality of work. I do not know who the machine shop was but if I needed some work done on one of my rebuilding projects, I would not hesitate to use them.
I admit that it was a crappy rebuild due to the lack of gaskets and use of RTV cement, a undersized bolt being used in the head to close a water chamber, the lacking new air filter, the leaking front oil seal (well, this one is a maybe), the oil overage in the crankcase, the lack of a fully topped off radiator (this is really minor), but at least I got two brand new batteries...
I do not have to "shame" him. I just called him this afternoon and the parts are not going to cost me anything. So no I will not disparage him or shame him because he is still helping. Short of pulling the governor, oil pump, cam shaft, crank shaft and their bearings, this is pretty well torn down and I have no fears of the remainder of the engine. The engine is very clean. I understand about wanting to tank the engine.I am not looking for compensation. I am a retired home owner and I do stuff because I want to, not because I have too, well unless you count the leaky roof that I replaced earlier this year. It's fun and for me at this point, it is what retirement is about. The monetary thing is out of hand and so far I know that where I am, I will easily recoup my time into this effort and costs from the next homeowner or owner of the machine. My labor on this in the near term is eventual cash in my pocket later. One of the reasons I did the work in remodeling my house including all phases of it. I did it or it did not get done because I refuse to pay for someone to do something that I can do myself.
Again, thank you for your kind words. I have not been here long enough obviously to learn all or even some of your posting habits. I moderate a gun forum as well as all the other stuff and I know how things get misconstrued all the time. I also know that mere words on a screen is only a small part of the conversation. Face to face is always better. And again, wise words about this set.
... Most threads a few posts a day, this one is a few pages a day. 
