Irritaded and Too Patient: Who can recommend a good mechanic?

plance1 · 03-29-2009, 07:59 PM

I left my 89 4x4 suburban in the shop for an engine rebuild. 7 Months ago! Since Im not one to have a lot of money, I told the guy to work on it as time permits to keep the costs down. Since I have another vehicle, I just left it with him and didn't pay much attention to it. And as stupid as I am, I told him I wasn't in a big hurry. What that means is take a couple months with it if need be, but not 7 months. Again, stupid on my part. I'm more irritated at myself then the mechanic, who in spite of my frustration a nice guy who came recommended by a friend and that is the only way I do business most of the time, I go to someone who is recommended.

I went to drive it the other day and it ran extremely rough, Im assuming bad gas in part of the reason why, but the mechanic also told me the headers I bought from LMC did not have the o2 sensors holes in them. (can these put back in and would it help driveability?) I also noticed that the oil breather tube coming out of the top of the valve cover was not connected to anything. Plus, because the transmission hump is blocking the route of the exhaust, it now just has open headers and will require custom exhaust, which I did know all along since I only had single exhaust on it before. When I went to drive the thing, it stalled on me, the check engine light came on, and the transmission didn't kick down, it just ran awful. The mechanic says its the timing but I told him he needs to fix the kickdown on the tranny.

So at this point, I don't want to fight and argue, I just want to get it out of the shop and take it to someone who is trustworthy, reasonably fast, and does good work to tie up some of these loose ends, I don't want to wait another 7 months.

Who would you recommend?????????

sarge · 03-29-2009, 08:24 PM

there is a whole list of things in this post that are screaming (WRONG) !!!! if this guy is a mech. and you took him a vehicle to rebuild the motor and it doesn't run right ....it's on him . If he doesn't know if O2 sensors are needed I wouldn't let this dumb ass work on daughters bike .

You have to run the O2 sensor , they sell weld on bungs at Jegs and Summit that will work . Start there and see if it helps the running ( It will I promise) . I hope you didn't pay this guy much.

Stang849 · 03-29-2009, 10:06 PM

give Scott - Flxratd a pm on here, he has worked on my cars and does really good work.

plance1 · 03-30-2009, 12:41 AM

well, I paid him too much, but not in full yet so I do have a little leverage. The headers on it are from hedman and thanks to your advice I did look at Summit and Jeggs website, Im leaning toward the collector extensions that come with the 02 sensors, rather than drilling the headers, although that might mean some sort of 02 extensions are necessary.

sarge · 03-30-2009, 12:45 AM

I drilled my Hedman Headers and welded the bung on at the collector , no extension need , it worked fine . you want it in the collector so you are getting a reading from all four cylinders on each side. Just make sure that yo uhave enough room for the o2 sensors once the headers are installed.

jamie L · 03-30-2009, 07:41 AM

Call Scott - (CORE President) at Armstrong Automotive

tjjeepjeep · 03-30-2009, 10:04 AM

Armstrong Automotive -- Shop # is 513.939.3903. Works on all makes and models. Routine maintenance as well as custom work.

03-29-2009, 07:59 PM	#1
plance1 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 25	Irritaded and Too Patient: Who can recommend a good mechanic? I left my 89 4x4 suburban in the shop for an engine rebuild. 7 Months ago! Since Im not one to have a lot of money, I told the guy to work on it as time permits to keep the costs down. Since I have another vehicle, I just left it with him and didn't pay much attention to it. And as stupid as I am, I told him I wasn't in a big hurry. What that means is take a couple months with it if need be, but not 7 months. Again, stupid on my part. I'm more irritated at myself then the mechanic, who in spite of my frustration a nice guy who came recommended by a friend and that is the only way I do business most of the time, I go to someone who is recommended. I went to drive it the other day and it ran extremely rough, Im assuming bad gas in part of the reason why, but the mechanic also told me the headers I bought from LMC did not have the o2 sensors holes in them. (can these put back in and would it help driveability?) I also noticed that the oil breather tube coming out of the top of the valve cover was not connected to anything. Plus, because the transmission hump is blocking the route of the exhaust, it now just has open headers and will require custom exhaust, which I did know all along since I only had single exhaust on it before. When I went to drive the thing, it stalled on me, the check engine light came on, and the transmission didn't kick down, it just ran awful. The mechanic says its the timing but I told him he needs to fix the kickdown on the tranny. So at this point, I don't want to fight and argue, I just want to get it out of the shop and take it to someone who is trustworthy, reasonably fast, and does good work to tie up some of these loose ends, I don't want to wait another 7 months. Who would you recommend?????????

03-29-2009, 10:06 PM	#3
Stang849 Stinkin Bastige Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anderson Twp. Posts: 178 Images: 236	give Scott - Flxratd a pm on here, he has worked on my cars and does really good work. __________________ Friendship is like peeing your pants, everyone can see it, But only you can feel the true warmth.

03-30-2009, 07:41 AM	#6
jamie L Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 43	Call Scott - (CORE President) at Armstrong Automotive __________________

03-30-2009, 10:04 AM	#7
tjjeepjeep Just tired Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, OH Posts: 2,213 Images: 2212	Armstrong Automotive -- Shop # is 513.939.3903. Works on all makes and models. Routine maintenance as well as custom work. __________________ I want to be the reason you look down at your phone and smile........then walk into a pole.

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03-29-2009, 08:24 PM	#2
sarge Pure Bacon Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Trenton, Oh Posts: 1,098	there is a whole list of things in this post that are screaming (WRONG) !!!! if this guy is a mech. and you took him a vehicle to rebuild the motor and it doesn't run right ....it's on him . If he doesn't know if O2 sensors are needed I wouldn't let this dumb ass work on daughters bike . You have to run the O2 sensor , they sell weld on bungs at Jegs and Summit that will work . Start there and see if it helps the running ( It will I promise) . I hope you didn't pay this guy much.

03-30-2009, 12:41 AM	#4
plance1 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 25	well, I paid him too much, but not in full yet so I do have a little leverage. The headers on it are from hedman and thanks to your advice I did look at Summit and Jeggs website, Im leaning toward the collector extensions that come with the 02 sensors, rather than drilling the headers, although that might mean some sort of 02 extensions are necessary.

03-30-2009, 12:45 AM	#5
sarge Pure Bacon Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Trenton, Oh Posts: 1,098	I drilled my Hedman Headers and welded the bung on at the collector , no extension need , it worked fine . you want it in the collector so you are getting a reading from all four cylinders on each side. Just make sure that yo uhave enough room for the o2 sensors once the headers are installed.