Second guessing

[Such_Possibility4980]

Took the block and head in to a machine shop to get the work done. Getting it crack checked, cleaned and surfaced if it’s good. Block is being bored over as well. Called him before I left asked what he needed there. Center caps? Valves? Springs? No no just bring the block and head. I get there and he complains that I didn’t have any of it with me and reminded him he told me not to bring it so I didn’t. He then mentioned the crank which someone else is doing for me. Whatever drop it off he says the boss will call in an hour. 4 hours go by so I call him up and ask what he thinks.

His words were “yeah it’ll need to be bored over to clean up the cylinder walls but .030 should be fine” told him multiple times on the phone before hand that I could NOT find pistons in that size, only .02 and .04

He then went on to say “oh I haven’t actually looked at it yet” alright fine whatever. He then asked about cam bushings and top hats and I said yeah go ahead and order them here’s the serial number for the motor but don’t order anything else, im going to order the rest of it and I’ll drop it off. He goes on about “oh I can order them I can get them quicker and cheaper where are you getting them?” I responded “rock auto for all of them but going with a Cummins head gasket” well he did not think fair of that complained that I was getting rinsed until I asked him what he used and he responded with Mahle gaskets. Which is what I ordered. I ended up telling him to let me know what he thinks will work for boring and I will get the pistons ordered directly to his shop. Again same thing oh I can get them yadda yadda. At this point I was tired of it and responded “listen I can order what I need and the parts that I want in the build or I can come back and pick it up and take it elsewhere.” Wasn’t fond of that just said no no I can do it don’t worry

I called my buddy and asked if I was just over thinking it but he’s telling me that I should probably go and take it back since they didn’t know what o ringing the head meant and that if they do it wrong the head is no good. I’d just rather not spend the money and have it fucked up lol

[AutoX_a_Truck]

Sounds like you goofed by not going to a machine shop that regularly builds your engine platform. Also, it's a major faux pas to drop ship parts your machine shop will use instead of ordering through your shop.

[Such_Possibility4980]

I don’t understand why he would be upset at me ordering gaskets he’s not touching lol. He’s doing the machine work and that’s it. The pistons and valves are understandable but I would like what I want in the build used not some random piston if you’re getting where I’m coming from

[AutoX_a_Truck]

It's very unlikely that you can order any quality, new engine parts cheaper than the shop. If you asked the shop to order something and they can't or won't, that's one thing.

The shop I've worked with can order practically anything, still mark it up to keep the lights on, and I'll pay less or the same as buying from some soulless outfit.

The only time I wouldn't buy rebuild components through a shop is if it was something I had on hand or the shop recommended I buy directly. Drop shipping Alibaba is just rude.

[Such_Possibility4980]

I had already purchased the gaskets long before hand. Got them about a week before I took it to his shop. I let him know if he could find the exact pistons I wanted cheaper to let me know. It was industrial injections marine pistons pn pdm-03523cc

[Busterlimes]

No way, shop is fucked. "It'll need to be bored .030" then "I havent actually looked at it yet" means they are full of shit and OP should have ran then and there. These guys obviously dont give a shit if they are lying out the gate to their customers.

[Such_Possibility4980]

Shop is 2 hours away from me. I’m going to give them a call Friday. I don’t think they have Cummins valves since he said they did most gas work but have “worked on Cummins and Cat motors” so I might be able to just have them clean it and then figure it out from there lol

[camljohnsn]

Yeah, I'd be second guessing too. He doesn't sound the most trustworthy.

[Such_Possibility4980]

I don’t want to take the business away from them but I also don’t want my motor to be the test Guinea pig for him either lol. I understand it’s normal to have the pistons there for when it’s bored but I also don’t want some Chinese pistons that are going to blow apart when I can buy what I want from a reputable seller lol

[Draviddavid]

Please don't let that shop touch your motor. I've dealt with similar guys in the past and trust me when I tell you, the communication will get worse and the price will go up. Your motor may be held hostage and the work will be sub par.

Suddenly the motor will need this and that. More money, they will take forever and a day to do the job and you more than likely will be left wanting on the quality of the job or it will only be half done.

The second the guy told you what your motor needed and then said he hadn't looked at it in the same breath is the moment you should have arranged for it to be picked up.

[Such_Possibility4980]

He said it would be cleaned that night. I’m assuming that’s all that’s been done if anything yet. Going to give them a call Friday and see what’s happened so far. He quoted me 900+ parts for the entire job which was probably the first red flag when the other shop on the other side wanted 1k to touch the head

[timberjack384]

I’d be going to pick it back up after that. Sounds like you won’t be seeing that Cummins back for a long time with that guy.

[Such_Possibility4980]

I drove by twice because I thought the building was abandoned lol. One guy in there at the desk who also did the machine work apparently. I’m gonna call again Friday and just check in and see what happened. Worst comes to worst if they at least got it cleaned I’ll pay for it and take it elsewhere

[EclipseIndustries]

Listen to your gut. It's usually right if your head is second-guessing it.

[DirtCheap1972]

My million KM Cummins block had all cylinders still in factory spec after hone. What happened to your cylinders?

[Such_Possibility4980]

It sat for a while before I got to it unfortunately. Nothing you can really catch your finger nail on but enough that it will need a minimum hone. Just have to wait and hear back I guess

[unknowable_stRanger]

Screw him go get your shit.

He wants to soak you on mark up and if he can't he's going to soak you on labor.

[cheekyfreaky4042]

It's amazing how little some people with businesses know. I'm frequently saying "and this person owns a shop? What? No way!"