Motor Meister strikes again

[Henry Schmidt]

A few weeks ago a customer called to get a quote on an engine overhaul. He said his engine was at MM and that the estimate just keeps growing. I gave him a quote and we were off.
Next step, pick up engine. MM wouldn’t release the engine with out payment for clean and inspect and packing. $280.00 sounds fair, let’s see. I stop at the ATM and get cash, they certainly won’t take a check and we head for MM. When we arrive, we are met with attitude plus. I give them the money and proceed to collect the parts. The parts are as dirty as any engine I have ever seen. “Clean and inspect", I’m wondering what that meant. When I ask Roy that very question, sparks begin to fly. Foul language and tuff talk. Now for those of you who know me, you know my patience for nonsense is almost nonexistent. Well I manage not to blow a gasket and started to inspect my customer’s parts. At first the parts just look dirty but then it dawns on me that this engine had been on fire. Funny my customer never mentioned a fire and yet some wiring, plastic parts and the fiberglass fan shroud have all been on fire at some point. Next I discover that the oil pump is from a 2.2. Because this engine is a ‘77 2.7, I’m thinking this just isn’t right. Well here I go again, time to deal with Roy again. At this point he has spoken to the customer and seems a touch more cordial. He roots around and comes up with a 2.7 oil pump and being who I am I decide to question the packing charge seeing everything is still sitting on shop carts. The response from MM “we packed it all up and when we heard someone was coming to pick it up we unpacked it.” You tell me, BS or I’m I missing something.
For the record, if Supertec Performance takes your engine in, tears it down and you choose not to rebuild it, WE CHARGE YOU NOTHING. And on a second note, we will even give you your same engine and all it’s parts back.

Below are the pictures of cleaned and inspected. 9-7-04


Ready to ship. 10-13-04

[Porschekid962]

Interesting, very very interesting. Seems like a little grudge match perhaps. Sucks that stuff like this has to happen.

Looks pretty clean now haha.

[KobaltBlau]

Henry, you are a magician! beautiful job!

[Phoenix]

Very nice job Henry.

BTW: did you check the engine number to make sure it's the same motor as the customer dropped off? MM took my 73.5 7R without asking or even mentioning that they couldn't use it. (Funny, the case was fine when it went to them?). Also, it took me over a year to get my CIS parts back and I would bet a years pay that its not the original (to my motor) system.

It continues to amaze me what these guys get away with. Your customer should be glad you stepped in. There's is no way that MM would ever even consider the attention to detail I've seen you take on this board.

Again... beautiful job

[dtw]

"Yeah we cleaned and inspected. We just apply this protective sludge afterwards to prevent these old castings from corroding..."

[smestas]

I cant beleive my eyes

I’m speechless.

[Bobboloo]

Unbelievable. I've been reamed a few times in the past but nothing like the ream job that MM does.

Excellent work Henry.

[Rot 911]

Very nice work Henry.

[COLDBASS]

I cringe when I hear posts like these. MM is located just a few miles from my home (I live near McKenna Porsche). However, I would never, ever consider these folks. After reading some of their own posts (Roys), its apparent that there is too much "marketing" rhetoric...I'm very pleased with my tuner located on the west side of Downey. In the past he has fixed a few MM abortions...

Henry, I am very impressed with the fact that you would take the time to drive over to MM HQ and recover your clients motor. Kudos. Sounds as though you're a "Take no BS" type of guy.
Good Job!

Bob

[ChrisBennet]

Mark my words, even after reading this post there will still be some people who don't believe what people tell them about MM.
-Chris

[mtelliott]

Chris,

I get it now. I get it now. Quit beating me up. I will never, ever, ever question if MM is that bad.

[iobound]

I foolishly sent my cams to them to be reground. Over a month later they still aren't ready

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by mtelliott
Chris,

I get it now. I get it now. Quit beating me up. I will never, ever, ever question if MM is that bad.

Forgive me, I wasn't trying to single anyone out especially you. I think that people's (and my own) reluctance to believe MM's bad reputation is based on a couple of good/admirable reasons:
1. Skepticism: The scientist/engineer mindset is to look for proof not hearsay.
2. Faith in the general goodness of people: When confronted with a con artist like MM we really don't want to believe that they could be as bad as they really are.
I had to get taken by MM before I learned this so you've got one up on me already.
-Chris

[mtelliott]

Truth be told, I had some one adamantly (sp?) talk me out of it. He convinced me I could do the rebuild. Sometimes, I wonder if that was the right choice. Then I get in my car with the engine that I built (with a lot of assistance and advice), and know, that I did the right thing.

Michael

[erobinson]

Wow, the thing was actually dirtier than my 2.7 with the burnt up cylinders....

Looks great now though, do you paint or powdercoat the cam housings? Thats kind of the look I am going for except for a car color shroud.

Eli

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally posted by Porschekid962
Interesting, very very interesting. Seems like a little grudge match perhaps. ............

Nothing could be further from the truth. I didn't post this as some kind of grudge. In truth, I posted this information to show that you don't have to put up with these kinds of tactics. Mechanics vary as do all other types of people.
If you get into a situation that just doesn't feel right, get some help and change the situation. This forum is a great place to start when looking for solutions to some very uncomfortable situations.

[konish]

Henry and John Walker,
Please note that your contributions on this board while probably cost you a little in time, are GREATLY appreciated and should pay huge dividends when it comes time for folks to rebuild their motors / perfrom maintenance. I think your colective commitment here and your willingness to share your knowledge and work with others is commendable. If NOTHING else, it saves a Pelican from potential headahces such as dealing with MM.

Truth be told, as bad as I want to rebuild my 3.0 myself time between family & work make the project prohibitively LONG. My time IS worth something and I just can't see holing myself up in the garage every weekend for 20 hours and every week night for 4-5 hours. It isn't fair to my kids or wife. Besides being in the Navy, sometimes the weekends aren't available either...don't even get me started on extended deployments.

Funny, I was just going to e-mail you about a motor I have in mind...

R/
Dustin

[Henry Schmidt]

Originally posted by konish
......... Besides being in the Navy, sometimes the weekends aren't available either...don't even get me started on extended deployments...............

R/
Dustin

Dustin
THANK YOU
Not for the kind words but for standing on a wall to keep America safe
I'm certain you do not hear that enough so Thank You

[konish]

Henry,
Thank you! Proud to serve.

R/
Dustin

[Shuie]

Nice save Henry!

This thread should be a sticky.