Its a long story. I should have started videotaping this disaster from the start of this project in May 2001. I could have broken it up into a TV series on public-access cable. It would have been a hit. Welcome to the next episode of "As the crank turns".....
So machine shop #2 keeps my engine for 8 months. I get it back 2 weeks ago thinking its ready to build. Then I inspect the parts and find out that the shop did a minimal job.
Head: Valves lapped, but head not vatted or cleaned in any way. Head still dirty.
Block: Water passages, oil gallies, threads full of crud.
Crank: Paid for balancing, don't think it was done. Slight impact damage to #1 main that may polish out.
Pistons/Rods: No loc-tite on pin clamp bolts. No balancing. One rod still has lockwasher on pinch bolt. Other 5 do not.
Cam: Appears that the new aluminum cam gear is pressed on incorrectly. Aluminum metal shards visible on cam snout where cam was pressed into gear.
I thought about going to the shop and complaining, but what good would it do besides [censored] machinist and me off? I can't trust him to rework these parts correctly.
A friend had a Mitsubisi Eclipse head done at another shop in town. They did a great job on it, so I brought them my 235 head. One machinist there knew what the head was when I brought it in. He was friendly and knowlegable about the 235s. If they do a good job, I'll bring them the bottom end and camshaft to inspect. I'll keep you guys posted on what happens.
Sorry for the rant....
Thanks again guys,
chiphead.
Oh, I forgot: The new machinist said that the '55-62 engines must use shimstock in their main bearings. Is this true? Am I in the twilight zone?
do-de-do-da-do-de-do-da.....
