Most or at least many of you know I am building a 454 for my '69. The "mechanic" whose shop I am using has decided he won't be working at his shop for an indefinate period of time because he is busy doing "other things". Needles to say, I am upset. He won't open the shop so the block is just sitting there. I tried to get him to let someone else pick up the block so I can get some measurements done and continue on with the project. He started yelling and screaming about the other mechanic trying to steal his business and how unprofessional that was. Since then we have not talked and I am in process of getting a lawyer up to speed and hopefully getting some type of court order to recover my property.
On the lighter side...I was watching Horsepower TV on Speed Vision over the weekend and they took a 502/502 engine and replaced the carb and manifold with the fuel injection unit I will be putting on my 454. ( Their's said Accel and mine says Edelbrock but it is the same unit ). I was amazed with their results. The rear wheel HP went from 361 to 408 with no other changes to the engine! That REALLY convinced me that my choice to go with the fuel injection vs the carb was sound decision.
I will have more info and pics on my C3VR web page when I get my block back and start on it again.

Man, what a jerk. Don't feel bad. Trust me, this happens more than ya' know. My girlfriends uncle is going through the same thing. 4 years now and $2500 then and 1 each 1969 427 tri-power Stingray sits in a 1/2 dismantled state STILL! I get the privilage of putting the car together this spring. Her uncle did get a lawer involved. I feel for ya' man. Sue the rotten SOB!

Keep us posted!
Sarge

He is apparently one of these guys who has nothing in his name so you can not sue, well you can but there is nothing to get !

glenns said: ... The "mechanic" whose shop I am using has decided he won't be working at his shop for an indefinate period of time because he is busy doing "other things". ... He started yelling and screaming about the other mechanic trying to steal his business and how unprofessional that was. ...

Sounds like to me that if he is that worried about someone else "stealing" his business he should just concentrate on the "other things" and forget about being a mechanic. No one is stealing anything from him, he's giving it away by being a jerk. And who's being "unprofessional" here anyway? From the sounds of it certainly not you!

Good luck getting your parts and pieces back from him!

Okay, this guy's not listed in our Mechanics section is he?

Sorry to hear that this is not uncommon with mechanics anywhere, but especially sorry to hear that it has happened to you, Glenn. This is one of the reasons I have not had a lot of work done to mine yet...well, let me amend that statement to say it's why I haven't had what I really want done to mine yet. Finding a mechanic who cares as much about my ride as I do has proved to be a monumental task. And as with anything, salespeople will tell you anything you want to hear in order to get you to buy what they're selling, then it's our fight to make sure we get what we purchased!

Keep us posted Glenn. We all want to see you back on the road this spring.

Glenn,

Just curious -- from an authenticity standpoint, why the choice of a 454 for the '69 & not another 427? FYI, I happened to see a comment a few weeks back by Henry (Pozz33) that he wished he could but a 427 in his '71. (i.e. neither scenario is standard for the respective production year.) What's your thought on stepping outside of not only "matching numbers" but also "matching size" ?~?~?

~ Joe

Maybe you could ask this guy how much you "owe him" up to this point for what he has done(if anything)pay him and take your property home. I think it would be less expensive in the long run than an attorney! You p*** him of you might get some "property" back that got damaged in his shop,if you know what I mean,and then what? You get to pay a lawyer and recover junk after maybe years of legal red tape.

Dean has a good point. You want to get back something that you can continue to work on, not have to scrap and start over (and this character sounds like he is capable of doing most anything). Just tell him you want to get the motor done before driving season begins and you figure you can do it yourself with the help of some friends. As Dean suggested, pay the "jerk" for what he has done to this point, pick up all the parts and pieces that belong to you and head for home. Then after a couple of weeks find a new place to have the project finished.

Jim O.
Save the Wave...!!!

Sorry to hear about that. That's rediculous. He's not being professional at all. I hope you get it back soon.

A couple different questions were asked. I am planning on putting the original 427 on a stand so I still have it if I ever sell the car ( repainting it , etc. ). I chose the 454 cause I got it for $850.00 and it had never been over-bored ( original cylinder size ). The price made all the difference to me. Total cost of parts and machining was under $5000.00 and that included $2250.00 for the fuel injection unit. If I sell the car to someone who wants a number matching unit, I will still have the original motor and be able to put the 454 into a Chevelle or Camaro and really pump up the power. ( should be 550 to 575 flywheel now ).
The car is not off the road, it still has the 427 in it.
The guy seems to want me to pay him AGAIN for the engine, and labor. He already got the $850 once, now he wants another $850.
I guess I am just a pridefull person, but I would rather pay the lawyer than pay for my property twice.
I am not too worried about him damaging it. I don't think he is that nuts. I already know I have to tear it completely down and reclean everything so I will find any problems then.
Anyhow, the lawyer told me not to talk to the guy and to send him a letter first before any legal action is taken. I will be writting the letter today.