I'm in need of some advice.
I sold an intake and exhaust manifold on ebay a couple weeks ago. I pulled them off of a good running 261 out of a 61 chevy truck about 20 years ago. The manifold was not leaking at the time it was pulled, but just in case I checked them over very closely for any signs of cracking or severe warpage before listing them for sale.
My buyer now wants to return the manifold as being unusable because it is warped. The problems that I see is that he took it to a machinist to have it planed. I will post the exchange we've had through ebay messages thus far.
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Buyer: Manifold has been machines and is leaking
Me: So you had it planed at a machine shop, installed it, and now it leaks?
Buyer: Had it planned at a machine shop. Have no idea if it leaked before but it is now installed on my vehicle and must have a crack somewhere as my truck won't hold an idle
Me: Did you separate the intake from the exhaust and replace the gasket between them?
5 Days Later
Buyer: Ok hadn't had time to get to his again. Yes replaced the intake to exhaust gasket & all others. Seems to be warped as when I tried to use the alignment cups, everything was out of whack except the rear two connections. Into this thing for the cost, the shipping and the machine at this point and it shooting smoke out of 4/6 ports.
Me: Your first complaint was that the vehicle wouldn't hold an idle so you asserted that the manifold must be cracked. At some point, you took it apart to replace the mating gasket. My assumption is that you were able to inspect the intake (the only part that would affect idle) for cracks at that point, and I assume you found none, and did this before you had it worked on. Your latest issue does not mention that problem, so I assume your vehicle is idling now. It seems your main complaint now is that the exhaust manifold is leaking along the head. You said you took the manifolds to a machinist to have them planed. I would hope that you changed the gasket and reassembled the manifold prior to having them planed because that's the only way they could be true upon installation. If you changed the gasket after machining then you'd have created problems by upsetting the planing or misaligning the manifolds. I'll assume you did it in the correct order of operations for the sake of argument. If they are now warped, then the machinist did not do his job, because the purpose of planing is to correct warping, if it is within specifications. If it were too warped to plane when I sent it to you, then the machinist should have told you the core was scrap, and refused to cut it. Assuming it was in spec when he got it, if indeed it is warped now after machining then you either got it too hot after machining, or it wasn't flat when you left the machine shop, and the machinist did not do his job correctly. I'm really not sure what I can do other than offer advice at this point. Your assertions of cracking (before) and warping (now) are both things that could have been checked for, spotted, and therefore should have been addressed before other people worked on the parts. I can't be held responsible for the quality of workmanship at a machine shop. He could have over cut (alignment rings too deep) or cut crooked (alignment rings won't align) and both could cause leaks.
Buyer All of that sounds great but the fact remains: I've had this truck for quite a few years now, worked on it throughout and have replaced the original manifold and had no issues until now. I followed the proper order of operations, the truck wasn't able to breath. I ordered the rings and reinstalled, fired again and then contacted you. initially installing it without alignment ringsI've used this machinist before with great results, however I've never purchased parts from you. See where I'm at? Also the purpose of planing is to true the manifold for the sake of mating surfaces. That corrects warping as it appears on the flats of the manifold, planing does not correct the issue of warping in the port alignment. We both know that. Also my initial assumption was a crack and after reconnection and an attempt at realignment, I found that the vehicle would hold idle and there was a warping issue
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After that last exchange is when he did the formal return request... I have not responded yet.
So my problem is this. I've had dozens of these manifolds planed over the years and I've never had an issue with 'port alignment' being off after planing. It's either within tolerance to plane or it's not. I can't see how any of what he's asserting makes any sense. First it 'must be cracked' and now it's warped after having it planed.
I feel like I sent him a good manifold and he's now holding my feet to the fire for either not knowing how to properly install the manifolds, or a machinist not doing their job right. It wouldn't be the first time a machinist got it wrong. I've seen that happen a few times as well.
So set me straight here. Am I out of line or should I fight this with ebay? Thanks for any insight. I do appreciate it.
Here is the auction:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/291879473839?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1559.l2649
Last edited by BlueChipper; 10/18/2016 5:27 PM.
