MSHP

[6isbest]

Does anyone know what the boys at Mark Stephens are up to. I bought heads in March and one has failed (miserably) and I sent it back for repair. The are not answering faxes, phone messages, or emails. In fact their website went down late last week.
There appears to be a jumping ship program afoot.
I am only the only one getting stiffed???!!!

[Germain]

I've heard through the grape vien that MS is going under because of current law suites... I don't have any facts on this, just what I've heard. If this is true, I feel for you.

[Tom Notch]

Oh Boy, another disgruntled customer. So am I! I might even be a small contributer to their web site going down. Yes, I am owed a set a of pistons, I got eveything else, sort of. They sent me the wrong heads, seemed my virgin, pristine 914 2L head cores were used for someone else's (or MSHP's) heads other than mine. Plus they are not quite what I ordered, but close enough to where IF I have to, they will work. BUT NO PISTONS!!! Plus I will be looking at the valve job and doing it to my specs.

They won't answer the phone unless they recognize you as a good (read Happy!) customer, all else are filtered out and ignored.

The web site finally went down to lack of payment. Plus the web hoster was getting their emails. When I emailed them to get my car pix off their site, it went down almost immediately. Seems the web hoster (who replied to my email and gave me a LARGE figure owed him by MSHP) was told there were releases for all the pix. Except I know my Berg Powered Bug never had a release to be put on MSHP's web site! Go Figure!

I have to do a trip to So Cal soon, and I may be going by there, maybe I should make sure the Sheriff also is there at the same time as me. Never can tell what crooks will do.

Live and Learn, this is the 1st time that I have had bad luck with any web biz, and it will be the last.... I hope.

Oh, by the wayI put a little tech thing on my web site about putting a T1 oil pump in a T4 motor. If interested see it at: http://home.att.net/~drsowatt/page7t4eng.html

Bye for now,



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[Joe Bob]

Well there is always FAT Performance in Orange County...they ahve been around since the early 1970s....hope you get your stuff straight with MSHP.

[turbo2.0]

FAT performance is famous for making big power, but they are slowly turning towards water pumpers.I doubt they will ever stop working on air cooled, it just may not be their core business. They are also a bit "pricey" but they do very good work. I spend way too much time there, as they are about 2 miles from the house. Bring your check book.

[Joe Bob]

Pricey vs being around to fix a mistake and not having problems...give me "pricey" anythime.

MSHP did some heads for me and they did eventually fix them when I had a problem. But FAT probably would not have had the problem in the first place.

The MSHP use of aftermarket non-sodium filled valves and stainlees seats is/are problematic. They will mushroom and cause binding and sealing problems as mine did.

If I had stayed with a 4 cylinder in my '14, I would have gone with FAT. With MSHP, I chose to go with price as opposed to reputation. It worked out in the end, but cost more in the long run....

Just my $.02.

[6isbest]

At Nick's request:
Subject:
mshp
Date:
Tue, 16 May 2000 08:09:30 -0700
From:
"Nick"
To:



MSHP owes me for a set of returned pistons (they shipped the wrong size) and
for core on one head and an oil pump--about $480. I took the advice of the
local papers (Seattle Times) troubleshoot columnist, who replied to my plea
in about 1/2 hour. She suggests you send all correspondace thru registered
mail. Those are the accounts that will be dealt with first if they are in/
going to be in receivership. The Web hosts is owed money and is advising
anyone who sends to MSHP to charge back on their credit card
payments--advice endorsed by the Troubleshooter. I have contacted my card
issuer and sent a letter to MSHP via registered mail explaining what they
owe me. I also have tracking records from UPS for everything I sent.

Please be kind enough to post this to the Pelican BBS, as I can't get there
from here.

Nick
Seattle

[Patrick]

This is probably old news by now, but I was in SoCal this weekend and found out that MSHP is definitely out of business. I stopped by European Motorworks and they gave me the details. They, along with Fat Performance, bought out MSHP's remaining inventory of pistons when they closed up shop.

By the way, George at European Motorworks was very knowledgeable and helpful on my Type IV upright conversion. It looks like he does nice head work. Heck, he even drives a 912E!

[stratoblaster]

Could someone post the number of FAT and/or European Motorworks? I was going to do biz with MSHP but obviously that is not going to happen now.

[turbo2.0]

European Motorworks-(800)722-8678 Hawthorne, Ca.

FAT Performance-(714) 637-2889
Orange, Ca.

[Tom Notch]

Yes, they are no more. The equipment was bought by West Coast Core and they employed some of the old MSHP people. I talked to the owner at WCC (can be reached at 661.726.9915 or 661.726.0151) and he definitely did not take on any of MSHP's problems, customers or is in anyway liable for MSHP's incurred debt or responsibilities. I talked to WCC at Sac. BugaRama last weekend, and thought I should relay what I heard.

FAT and European are very good outfits, I have dealt with both and have always been treated fine, and received a good product. I guess for my missing pistons I will go to J&E (supplier to MHSP and many others) and get what I need. Paying twice, and learning once. Oh well

------------------

[6isbest]

Miracle's Happen???
I started this thread and have followed the inputs with great interest. Clearly, I had tied up with a sinking ship and had that sinking feeling everyday. I had gone to the level of pleading with these guys to simply return the head and I would get it fixed elsewhere plus I would pay the shipping.
Well, today, out of the blue, my head came back to me. Not only that, it was fixed and 2 day shppied at their expense.
I called the guys at West Coast to thank them for the help, but they were clueless. So somebody at the 'shop' truly is keeping their eye on the ball.
Thanks to all for the help and encouragement

[Patrick]

Tom - let us know how you come out with your pistons from J&E. Are they cheaper when you "buy direct" instead of going through European, etc?