33 replies to this topic

[Orange SS]

It sure does after spending the best part of $20k on the engine expecing it to last years, and not even getting 200km. I hadn't even hit the rev limiter yet.

I've have had it in elsewhere being fixed and had the whole lot checked over to make sure there is nothing else expecting to create an issue. New valves(all had been ground down too much to use), springs and retainers, a set of platinum roller rockers and pushrods were all needed + labour. I know failure can happen unexpectedly but this was 100% builder error and he's blamed everyone from me, to the dyno tuner to his old machinist. I could've bought a set of dash 3 heads with this wasted money! Hopefully it doesn't end up in court.

[Ice]

Thats pretty bad to hear Matt that you have had dramas with your engine
Another long lost trade that is dying good high performance engine builders

Thank christ i have a good old school one

[ozyozyozy]

Orange ss, that bites real hard mate.
One of the critical checks.
Hope you get get it sorted in your favour.

Engine builders are another one of those people, when you find a good one, stick with them.

[Orange SS]

you'd think after 2.5 years the final checks would've been well and truly done after being put on the engine dyno.

I did however receive the engine back without the oil pick up, oil pump, extractors, carby, stall convertor, engine mounts, mount brackets, main pulley(a 1 off holden item for LX torana with factory air con) - some of these items were "lost" and he had no clue but he had time to remove items which were clearly on there when dyno'ed. The lies and BS I was fed over the time are incredible and as a habit from my job, I made no phone calls and everything was done via email so I have a quite the record on the dealings with this business which may become public should he not pay for all of the extra costs I have had due to his poor workmanship. 

[Orange SS]

whatever warranty they may offer is void completely because the rocker arms have been ground to get more clearance - but clearly still not enough clearance as 3/4 of them were hitting which is 100% what has caused the breakage. 

 

Initially Yella Terra were very helpful with their engineer of +30 years who designed the street terras informing me that they are not designed for a setup better than very mild and that the way the engine builder had setup the heads increased the spring tension and that along with the rocker arm touching the retainers & having used the cheaper diacast rockers it was a matter of when, not if they would break.

Here is another shocking part of this - I called back to ask them to put that in writing for me as he stated he would in my 1st phone call but I am assuming that the original engine builder called him as he the Yella Terra engineer refused to talk to me on the phone at all, let alone back up their products and tell me what they think caused the breakage. I am appalled by they customer service and wish I had not used Platinum Rockers as the upgraded replacement. So much for use Australian products for good service. These guys could learn a thing or 2 from Ice Ignitions on customer service!

 

 

 

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[ozyozyozy]

Geez that makes me angry reading that.

[Lima31]

I would not blame YT for not providing written comment, they don't know all of the facts. Talk to a professional engineer if you want an independent expert witness.

[dron]

Looks like a bad idea for him to fit the wrong rocker/ retainer set up, Probably wrong cam/ spring length set up to go with it.

 

Yes it looks like the builder stuffed up. I would not like to let him near my engine. The opportunity to repair/ make good his mistake is part of the process to clame against him as far as I know. Just thought I would mention that, it may be a pain but if you do not allow him to attempt the repair he may have a chance to get away with not paying. I may be wrong but it may be wise to check before starting proceedings against him and adding extra cost to an already expensive problem.

 

            Glad I can build my own engine’s Not had a lot of performance experience but when you are I n the trade it is  not as hard to get good advice, Just knowing what machinist to use is a big step in the right direction.

Edited by dron, 26 August 2019 - 09:01 AM.