Well the French Flatty arrived today, but right off anyone could see the container was damaged. After removing the box from the pallet the engine frame had broken loose from the pallet mounts. Three of the main bolt were completely pulled out and all but one security strap had busted loose. Oil on the bottom of the box tell me this thing has been on its side.

Damage to the engine: front carb, alternator and bracket, alternator offset bracket, water neck, and maybe the left head.

I've already contacted the builder, they've contacted the shipper (Estes)an now it's the waiting game should hear back from them Monday.

All I can say at this point is WTF????

 

Picture

 

Another one and there are a couple more in my gallery.

 

waiting game? more like the blame game...which'll drag on forever. Man I feel sad for ya.

 

What a bummer!!!! Hope it works out for you..... Thats a FANTASTIC lookin flathead! I love the black and polished aluminum look. And I'll bet it sounds as good as it looks! T/M

 

thats horrible! I can't imagine they would ship something that nice (expensive) without enough insurance to cover everything. but yes now you wait. hope it all works out, let us know what happens .
Josh

 

Havi, theres that picture of the alternator offset bracket I promised you.

 

Seems like some truck lines have a don,t care attitude now days. hopefully it won't take long to correct the problem. It does look like a very nice motor. If your like me it takes a while to build up money for big items and when you do spend it you have high expectations. Hopefully the seller insured the motor.

 

I hate these hassles!!

If I was home when the motor was delivered in that condition, I would have given the driver credence as to why my hometown is called Gunbarrel.

Good luck, hope they get the problem fixed in short order.

 

Here what it sounded like before they dropped it, YouTube - French Flathead Test

and thanks for all your comments. Marty

 

HD, sorry to here of your misfortune, it seems to be that most of the workforce these days don't have very good work ethics although they don't mind cashing the check at the end of the week. I've been working in a warehouse the past couple years and it's hard to pry those young ones off thier butts not only to help themselves but to help anyone else. THey don't seem to care what condition or where they send it or know what it is thier sending. I guess what I'm trying to say is the you end up dealing with responsible people that are of the old school when a customer meant something to them and will bend over backwards to make sure you got what you paid for.
John

 

I hate to say it, but that would be a very top-heavy, narrow pallet. I don't know that I'd completely blame the shipper. It's just sickening to think of this kind of disappointment.

 

That sucks...I hope you can get it straightened out to your satisfaction.

 

What a bummer! And on such a beautiful engine too!

You would think after dropping it so badly they just would have returned it to the sender and not try to pass it off like it didn't happen...

 

be sure and save all packing materials just as they were when the pallet arrived. Don't throw ANYTHING away. Estes' insurance adjuster will want to see it. You did note any and all damages at time of delivery and had the driver call for an exception, right? What you don't want to have to deal with is a "concealed damage" claim. (I was 18+ yrs. in the LTL freight biz.)