440 engine junk, burned by a member here.

[greenmachine]

I have just returned from the professional engine builder i am now using who has told me my engine is junk.
In 2013 I bought a 727 from a member here (or possibly former member now), and started discussing engines. He claimed to be a builder and could easily build me a 440. I entered into a deal with him shoveling him overtime money as I could afford it. Approx. 3 years later I had a finished engine and I traveled to Washington to help do the break in. I then stored the motor and installed it summer of 2018 and finally drove the car this last summer. I had maybe 200 miles on it when a rocker arm broke and bent two pushrods. I took it to the new builder who is a professional to diagnose. He tore into the engine and discovered a lot of sketchy work. The enlarged oiling boss from 3/8 to 1/2 cracked the block and was glued, the crank had material ground off and had been welded on! (pics).
I had approx. 6gs wrapped up in this build and now everything minus the rods and external parts are junk. I am looking at spending another 6-8 to make it run again. I’m at the breaking point. My wife wants the car gone. I’m beyond pissed.

 

[Stereolab42]

He claimed to be a builder? What did you do to verify that claim? Before I give 6 Gs to anybody to do anything car related (and I have, many times) I extensively check reputation and references.

 

[slimt]

You may have to get all the findings and discussions documented.

Cant say much more.

 

[BeatersRus]

get on the fb marketplace and join the mopar swap shop Group on the Fb.
i saw running 440-s anywheres from 650 bucks to 10 grand.
running,ready to go....all sorts all kinds of power levels.

as far as whats already happened,you have a bit of sympathy from me,
but,i gotta wonder why you didnt start with the professional first,
instead of some random guy/member that says he
"can leap over tall buildings in a single bound! "
o and " can save you money on your next motor rebuild "

 

[WP29440SE]

well, call him out by name!
let's get this party started!!

 

[themechanic]

get on the fb marketplace and join the mopar swap shop Group on the Fb.
i saw running 440-s anywheres from 650 bucks to 10 grand.
running,ready to go....all sorts all kinds of power levels.

as far as whats already happened,you have a bit of sympathy from me,
but,i gotta wonder why you didnt start with the professional first,
instead of some random guy/member that says he
"can leap over tall buildings in a single bound! "
o and " can save you money on your next motor rebuild "

I see your point but how is he better off with another complete stranger selling an unknown engine on FB?

 

[BeatersRus]

I see your point but how is he better off with another complete stranger selling an unknown engine on FB?

because a good portion of these are either still in vehicles or have vids of them running Very recently..shrugs.
i agree,you have to do your own research and due diligence.
plus,a Lot of the guys on the swap shop are regs,and do a lot of policing members too,
you can actually look people up an get a good read on them.

im just throwing out a get by alternative for him hopefully.
anything legal could possibly drag on forever and the car will be a stone to him and the wife during that time.
a cheap running big block might keep him and the wife happy while the dust settles.

edit:for example yesterday even i bought a running and driving 400 bb motor trans with headers and new intake for 200 bucks...
heck,the intake and headers were worth that imo.

 

[dadsbee]

The whole thing sucks, but I could have had my old highschool buddy with an engine shop in the Valley (Ottawa that is) build me an amazing engine for that kinda coin.

 

[Richard Cranium]

My wife wants the car gone. I’m beyond pissed.

What kind of car? I sense an opportunity.

 

[davek]

 

[kiwigtx]

well, call him out by name!
let's get this party started!!

Let's get some facts in order before we go throwing a rope over the branch....

 

[greenmachine]

He claimed to be a builder? What did you do to verify that claim? Before I give 6 Gs to anybody to do anything car related (and I have, many times) I extensively check reputation and references.

It wasn’t 6gs upfront. It was over the course of 3 years. First motor I’ve ever had built. I take some responsibility but the guy talked the talk. Had me and my

 

[gdrill]

Regardless, the noose should be formed and ready.......

 

[kiwigtx]

Regardless, the noose should be formed and ready.......

Sometimes it's hard to believe you are a Mod ...elsewhere.

 

[greenmachine]

I accept blame for taking claims about being a builder and going off a hand shake. I grew up being taught a handshake was your word. I ordered every part he said I needed then had it shipped up there, with updates every week. I didn’t expect the build to grow to almost 6. 1500 block all ready to go, 906 heads “dialed” 800, rockers, cam etc. 1700, pistons, rings, etc. plus machine work, carb, added up quick.

 

[gdrill]

 

[slimt]

I accept blame for taking claims about being a builder and going off a hand shake. I grew up being taught a handshake was your word. I ordered every part he said I needed then had it shipped up there, with updates every week. I didn’t expect the build to grow to almost 6. 1500 block all ready to go, 906 heads “dialed” 800, rockers, cam etc. 1700, pistons, rings, etc. plus machine work, carb, added up quick.

Handshakes went away along time ago sorry to say. Now adays you need a lawyer drawing up papers. .

 

[HawkRod]

OK, so everyone is doing a Monday morning quarterback on what the OP should or should not have done. Fine, but the real question is, what is his path forward from here?

So is the entire engine really "junk"? Why did the rocker break? I think you should take some time, if you haven't already, to determine what is usable and what is not. Are the cam and lifters OK? What about pistons and rings? If the machine work on the block is OK then it should be able to be reused.

If you haven't already done so, I think you should spend some time to understand what is salvageable and what is not before you declare the whole engine a lost cause.

 

[Beekeeper]

Man that is really crappy sorry you got a bad deal.
Lesson learned the hard way I’m sure but never take anybody’s word when it comes to engine building. As far as the pickup hole enlargement
Drilling and tapping a NPT requires the correct tap
and drill as well as a taper reamer to be done correctly. Looks like the hole was too small and the casting was busted by the pipe tap.

 

[WP29440SE]

Let's get some facts in order before we go throwing a rope over the branch....

ok ok , I digress LOL