Here's an update on the situation:
They're dragging their feet on this and when we tried to put the pressure on them with a threat of litigation, they basically told us "If that's what you want to do, then go ahead"....A very stupid move on their part...with what we have, we will win easily in court.
But the down side is that the car has to sit until this is over. On the other hand, I've been looking for used 350's to drop in and get back on the road until this comes to an end. If I do that, I could set the original engine aside and rebuild it at a later time and be back on the road in a couple of weeks.
My question to the community is this...will any 350 take all of my parts from the original engine or does it have to be an exact 350 from that general year?
I cannot tell you for certain if you need an '84 block or if other yr 1st gen 350 blocks would work. I think they will...
I just wanted to say how sorry I am that you;re having to deal with a dishonest business like this.
I've never been screwed like this situation, but I've had many other things happen that have driven me to doing 99% of my car maint/repair at home. If there is the remote possibility of doing the work at home, I'll find a way. Mostly because these shops and unskilled, untrained ( stupid)mechanics will abuse and neglect YOUR property and the owner is left holding the bill and often never knows that it was the shop that was responsible for the damage.
I'm just sick of dishonest shops and thieving wanna be mechanics. There should be a LAW that requires someone to present a license before he can legally purchase a roll-a-way tool box...
Bottom line in this case, it might go to litigation since its been mentioned, and you will have to do the repair and wait to be reimbursed. They will use that threat as the excuse to avoid paying until they are forced to do so. Your fastest approach now is probably thru the small claims court. Civil litigation is slow, attorneys cost money and recovery money is diluted by time wasted and paying lawyers/cost. Small claims is simple, it just places the work load on the plaintiff. Burdon of Proof.
Get your proof in order, get witness's, get statements and organize the case. Small Claims is very often about common sense right or wrong and who can prove it.
Going to court with an attorney is actually to their advantage because they will pay the damage cost at todays rates, at a much later date, if ever.
They can dodge that in a number of ways. They will just be paying what it cost you to repair. Unless this goes to trial, there won;t be a punitive judgement, which is what I'd be pushing for. In the meantime I'd be reporting to every consumer agency on the planet, every TV investigative reporter in the state, and every internet blog or complaint avenue thats available online.
I hope they decide to "man-up" and take responsibility, but the business atmosphere of today, is to deflect responsibility and treat customers like dirt. Loose one, go get another, who cares?
You can thank all the online and community colleges for mass producing millions of students with a half-assed degree in business minus the course in ethics that are now in banking, finance, accounting and other related industry where thier flawed (cheap) education has a direct influence on todays small business.
Good Luck to you.
