Stopped by Springfield Auto Machine LLC to check on the sizes for the connecting rod bolts, so I can be sure we have everything we need when the parts arrive. I was pleased to see the block up on the Line Borer and being worked while I was there. We are moving along and I am looking forward to getting this part of the project finished. These guys are great to work with, very helpful and truly interested in helping me get this project done economically. Need engine machine work, see them, you won’t be disappointed.
The day took a dramatic turn late this afternoon when I called Egge Machine to check on the status of my engine parts order. Long story short, I called them on Sept. 2nd and spoke to Steve who told me they had no problems with any of the parts, but did not have the pistons in my size (+40). They were not scheduled to cast more until mid October and I told him I could not wait that long as I had to have the motor re-installed by the end of October. He then told me he would see to it that they would take a larger set and custom grind them to my size and then ship the whole kit by today (September 11). Well, when I call today, I find out he is on vacation until Thursday, the kit has not yet shipped and worse, the pistons were never scheduled to be ground. He really dropped the ball on this one.
I spoke with Dell, who was covering for Steve, and told him that to say I was PO’d would be a real under statement. My temper got the best of me and I told them to just cancel the whole order, he asked me to hang in there and promised to work it out, I had already wasted 9 days now and it was 5:00PM my time so I finally agreed and we left it that I would wait until Monday to decide what to do. I got off the phone and was not in a real good mood, nobody in the office wanted to deal with me for sure! I was on a real rant about how this is probably the hardest $1,700.00 I’ve ever spent. To my complete amazement, he called me back 15 minutes later to say he had located pistons, talked to the shop supervisor, expedited the grinding and hoped to get them done Monday and shipped by Tuesday, promised to ship them the fastest way at no charge. Well, all I can say is if Dell actually does everything he said he was going to do, he’s going to be my new best friend.….. Have a great weekend.
Well we are back from our little jaunt to the North to visit Niagara Falls. Had a great time, beautiful weather and really nice place to visit and see. Got together with friends who live in Niagara On The Lake, toured some of the vineyards, relaxed and had a nice getaway. In fact, we even made plans to go North again leaving Columbus Day Weekend…
So here we sit, with the boring pretty much finished and the crank turned, but it is going to be a while before we can get the parts over to this side of the country.
The boring went OK but the 2 cylinders that had the stuck pistons are going to have to be sleeved, they had a deep gouge in each one. Looks like the new pistons are going to be +40 and the new crank and rod bearings will be +10. 
All in all, not to bad considering what she looked like when first pulled apart. Ordered parts are arriving, but we really have done very little in the last week due to family issues, but don’t worry we will be back at it as soon as we are able and look forward to making some more progress.
