new motor not right

[Pirate]

Got things clarified today. As I understand it, the shop is rebuilding the original block and heads free of charge. The $250 is if they need to replace the original cam. There will be an extra charge for a new balancer. They used the original before.

The fact that the shop is willing to correct this issue at their expense is nice, but I can't overlook what they have already pulled. I want the "new" motor to be perfect so I don't have to deal with this any further. I guess we'll see what happens.

Uh....
1. Why aren't they simply replacing the camshaft here, since it appears everything else is as it is supposed to be, instead of building another engine? In addition, the original '90 engine had a roller cam in it, unless I am mistaken...

2. Do you have a High Output ECM in the car?

[monterey1962]

1. Look at pics on page 2. The block is damaged. Maybe a minor thing to some, but we didn't pay for a damaged block. The shop refuses to put E7 heads on a roller cam, claiming that it won't work. This block as E7's. Original block as E6's. Yes, original was roller cam. Read my previous posts. This was already discussed.

2. Lopo ECM.

The car was picked up today. They drove it out. I was informed it was going to be trailered. So much for avoiding fuel costs. Hoping it's done by Friday. Will be preparing to go over this second "new" motor with a fine tooth comb.

[p71towny]

I hope this one is right. That shit pisses me off. You need to get a shop of your own, cause scott is the only other one I'd trust with my panther.

[monterey1962]

I hope this one is right. That shit pisses me off. You need to get a shop of your own, cause scott is the only other one I'd trust with my panther.

Scott would have done this motor, but there was no way to work out the 1,800 miles between us (cost and time). I've said it many times, I'll say it again, it sucks being stuck in North Dakota.

[OVERKILL]

The shop refuses to put E7 heads on a roller cam, claiming that it won't work.

They are morons. I wouldn't let them touch my lawnmower. ALL of the post 1986 High Output 302's had the E7 cylinder heads. And they ALL had roller camshafts!!!!!!

[Pirate]

1. Look at pics on page 2. The block is damaged. Maybe a minor thing to some, but we didn't pay for a damaged block. The shop refuses to put E7 heads on a roller cam, claiming that it won't work. This block as E7's. Original block as E6's. Yes, original was roller cam. Read my previous posts. This was already discussed.

2. Lopo ECM.

To be entirely honest with you, I skipped over the bulk of this thread, as it has grown to epic proportions, in addition to the other thread in OTB. I am not trying to be snotty, but glancing over it, the thread gives the appearance of repeating itself in spots, therefore I missed the broken thread section on the block....which I would be pissed about, also.

I think the problem with the heads is that you are specifying E7TE heads...and to these idiots, that means "Flat-tappet truck" head, as the same basic casting is obviously (to all of us) used in both the Mustang AND the truck. However, if the truck uses a flat-tappet camshaft, then yes, technically, you aren't supposed to use the flat-tappet valvetrain with a roller cam, hence the idiotic insistence that it won't work. If you instead specified 'Mustang" heads, you might meet with a hell of a lot less resistance from the idiots running the repair shop.

Another note? If you are going to have the block done again, is there any way to upgrade to hypereutectic pistons, while they have it apart?

[monterey1962]

To be entirely honest with you, I skipped over the bulk of this thread, as it has grown to epic proportions, in addition to the other thread in OTB. I am not trying to be snotty, but glancing over it, the thread gives the appearance of repeating itself in spots, therefore I missed the broken thread section on the block....which I would be pissed about, also.

I think the problem with the heads is that you are specifying E7TE heads...and to these idiots, that means "Flat-tappet truck" head, as the same basic casting is obviously (to all of us) used in both the Mustang AND the truck. However, if the truck uses a flat-tappet camshaft, then yes, technically, you aren't supposed to use the flat-tappet valvetrain with a roller cam, hence the idiotic insistence that it won't work. If you instead specified 'Mustang" heads, you might meet with a hell of a lot less resistance from the idiots running the repair shop.

Another note? If you are going to have the block done again, is there any way to upgrade to hypereutectic pistons, while they have it apart?

I understand about glancing over the thread. Figured it was easier to point you to the posts, rather than re-post the info.

During all of this (referring to the engine issues), the manager of the shop pulled me to the back of his shop to show me a set of heads that he had pulled out of an Explorer. He whipped out a book with all the makes/models that contained the information and casting numbers for heads. We discussed heads. Was a good conversation. He also talked about how he had owned a couple of Grand Marquis in the past. On top of that, the shop has 20+ years of experience. I was under the impression they knew what was what in the world of Ford engines. I mean, seriously, in over 20 years, they've never redone a Mustang 302 or Lopo 302? Come on. When I had originally told them "I want a stock rebuild with the only change being E7 heads", I was fully confident that they understood these engines. Where is the sense of installing a truck 302 in a Grand Marquis, then never telling the customer that this was done? Not to mention the fact that they never once said anything about the damaged block or crushed transmission pan (plus other issues that are previously listed).

As was agreed upon, the original block from the '90 will be rebuilt and will take the place of the "truck" 302 that is in there now. It will be a plain Lopo rebuild with E6 heads. Mom is tired of all this BS and just wants the car done, back in her hands, and reliable. Neither of us feel like trying to stretch the issue further and just want it done and over with. The car was picked up by the shop yesterday.

[monterey1962]

The '90 is home ... again ... with another $500 bill.

New motor built from the original block ... supposedly. I'll be checking this thing over when it's cooler out. 100 deg. F. outside, right now. Charged for the following: roller cam, lifters, balancer, "new" oil pan, spark plugs, oil, and oil filter.

Mom said it did good the 120 miles home. '90 ran around 210*, but so did my CV 'cause it's fuckin' hot out. I'll post more after I check the car over and get some rest.

[packman]

I hope this works out for you this time.


Packman

[gadget73]

new roller cam? Those almost never go bad. The lifters can be replaced independant of the cams too. I'd want to see the old one to justify that charge. Lifters aren't a bad idea to replace but the cam is probably uneccesary.

[Lincolnmania]

roller cams rarely go bad

[monterey1962]

Well, the shop has already proven themselves to be stupid and crooked, so I'm sure they took every little chance they could to screw every extra dollar out of us that they could. The car runs decent. I say "decent" and not "great" because it's nothing fantastic. Nowhere near "Scott-quality", but it runs.

Was just underneath the '90 and, at this point, all seems to be in order. We'll see how long this holds true. I'm not impressed. I'm not happy, but mom has her car back and it runs. If you want to know the name of the morons who screwed us, just PM me.