L79 rebuild in Dallas

[Mark E.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

I'm so sorry Gary. That's heartbreaking. At least the date and suffix are legible.

Is the shop willing to compensate for the loss of value to the car?

[Gary H.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

No. The owner said that I didn't tell him even with the shop manager standing right there telling him I did. Not good. And, even better, the owner is trying to tell why the number isn't important because the engine has been worked on and (according to him) the heads aren't original anyway... which I doubt.

I'll let him finish the work. I'll pay in full. Drive the car for a while and go from there.

Mark. I'd really appreciate your 2 cents. How much does this affect the re-sale of the car? I mean, if you saw it. Thanks

[Mark E.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

I'm not the expert on market values. But I imagine a '67 L79 with a VIN matching untouched engine pad is worth significantly more.

I wish I told you about Wayne Calvert Precision Engines in Denton. They have a reputation that spans decades.

[Mark F.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

Oh, Gary I agree with Mark E - what a shame!
Did you happen to have it judged before this guy got his hands on it?

[Gary H.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

Yes. It's been judged twice; local & regional. And, I'll add, I have no plans on selling car ever. So, while it's somewhat about money... it won't be my money.

[Mark F.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

Gary, I'm sorry for offering opinion where it may not be wanted, but I'm so tired of contractors and other service providers who don't do what their customers want...seems rampant to me these days...

Were any of your instructions about this to the owner in writing? If not, do you think the Shop Manager would sign an affidavit (privately, of course to protect his job) to the effect that you verbally advised the owner of your wishes? I'm sure you've had enough grief over this - and it seems like your keeping the car forever - BUT, if some sort of documentation can be had regarding what happened, now would be the time to get it. I apologize in advance if all of the above is so obvious. good luck, Mark

[Gary H.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

Actually (crazy as it may be) the owner offered to sign something that says the block is my original block and their machine work is the reason the stamp is only slightly visible. That'll have to do.

[Tim G.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

Gary,

With the before and after pictures along with judging sheets and your validated tank sticker, very few would question the legitimacy of the engine.

If presented again for judging, the pad would have to be judged as is, not as it was or as a picture showed it was.

As far as value, some would argue this is a $10,000 hit, possibly more. I'm so sorry this happened to you, you're really a good fellow and friend.

[Gary H.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

Thanks Tim. As always, sage advice. And, the $10k plus is Leif's guess as well. But... if I never sell... I'll never know. So, I got that goin' for me.

[Timothy B.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

In addition to a signed statement by the shop owner your before after pictures leave no doubt it's the original engine.

I feel your pain but without any instructions in writing I'm not sure what recourse you have. If the motor was left there for all the machine work and assembly, decking the block could be considered part of the rebuild process as the shop would have to guarantee there overhaul.

On the flip side the cylinder seal should be very good and provide a trouble free rebuild. You may want to inquire what compression pistons are being used and what type of oil pump he has in mind. You may also want to verify what camshaft is being installed, the stock L-79 cam is very nice for a street engine.

[Mark E.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

Do you really want this shop to continue working on your car? The owner lied to your face, directly contradicting what you know.

What else will he lie about?

[Gary H.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

The owner is just one of those guys who will never admit he's wrong. If I had Zora Duntov standing there with me it wouldn't make a difference. Fact is my little L79 isn't a $200k car. Never would been. It's a driver. A very nice driver IMHO, but, nothing special monetarily. Again, looking around the shop at the totality of their work I think mechanically/cosmetically the engine will be right (sans the stamp). Scraping up all the parts and hauling the whole mess home isn't going to make me fell better. But, I appreciate the advice. We shall see.

[Timothy B.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

Gary,

Just make sure going forward (verify) the overhaul is using all stock parts as I mentioned above, no high pressure/high volume oil pump and don't let him talk you into flat top pistons, use the stock 1/8" domes with the L-79 camshaft.

[Gary H.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

Actually he specifically mentioned NOT using flat top pistons (and why) when we were talking yesterday. Which I had no clue about. I take that as a good sign. I'll talk to him again today. But, last we spoke, he's using the original cam w/ new (correct) lifters/push rods/rockers.

[Leif A.]

Re: L79 rebuild in Dallas

Actually he specifically mentioned NOT using flat top pistons (and why) when we were talking yesterday. Which I had no clue about. I take that as a good sign. I'll talk to him again today. But, last we spoke, he's using the original cam w/ new (correct) lifters/push rods/rockers.

NOOOOO!!! Why run the risk using the old cam and wiping a lobe. Spend the extra $100-$150 for a new L79 cam. You don't want to have to go back in there again.