I bet if they did one they did them all. And I would not shelve them all. It won't be right, at that point I would junk it and tell them they were suppost to call first.

 

Exactly it will tell you how much iron is left. It is a great tool to have around the shop. I have sonic checked about 100-150 FE engines(352/360/390/428/427). Lost count long ago.

 

I just got off the phone with the shop. They went .060 over on all of them.. He told me he didn't know that he couldn't go .060 over on the 7.3 because you can on the 6.9 and they are basically the same. I told him .030 was the max. He got all ignorant saying how would you know this is your first engine rebuild.

He said he was calling some automotive association to see why you can't go .060 over.

So my question is why can't you go .060 over so I can tell this A-hole what's up

 

that sucks sorry to hear it

 

I haven't seen shelf pistons for anything over .040"...

 

Just tell him Ford won't go over 30 on there rebuilds so You aren't either. You did tell him to call you and he didn't. On a side note, on the 360 years back we out to over 400 cu. ins and it worked fine. I just wouldn't go more then Ford would and they know.

 

The Ford kit goes to .040, I would say that would be my max if I was bargaining.
However the fact remains if it took .060 to clean that cylinder the block was doomed anyway. 8 sleeves will likely cost allot more than a useable block.

 

Thanks for the replies guys! But if they woulda called me like they were supposed to I woulda had them sleeve 7 and March to the rest cuz he said the rest weren't bad at all. For some reason they felt the need to match the rest to 7... We left it off saying he would replace the block. I told him there's no way he's sleeping all 8

 

(8) sleeves are fine. A couple of the big name builders automatically sleeve all of their high HP builds due to concerns about coolant cavitation damage.

Like stated, there are no .060 over kits so they are SOL on that one. Just goes to show you can have expensive tools and still not know how to use them...

I'd look for a good running long block to rebuild. Should be able to find one for $1-2k, then sell off extra injectors, HPOP, etc, etc and recover some of that.

Sounds like HIS first 7.3 build... It's just like the 6.9, eh? Lol.

 

Jason as you stated, but I wouldn't let the average shop try it. They would mess it up good.

 

Most shops know how to do a sleeve. I do mine with a specific tool on my boring bar so it gives a good register at the bottom of the hole. The index carbides leave an angle and I do not like a angle bottom for the sleeve.

If it were me I would tell him to sleeve it back to STD as he jacked it up for no charge. Just make sure you can provide the documentation showing Ford says they can be bored only so far. People always try and pull fast ones is why. Otherwise the fix is still sonic it and see if it will fly. You could still get a .060 piston, just cause folks do not stock them of have them on a shelf does not mean they wont make them. You would be surprised at the piston combos and sizes you can order. And then I would tell him to cut you a deal on them as well for the .060 screw. As your letting him off the hook on the sleeves. Honestly .040 over and .060 over is only .010 off each side of the wall when you think about it. That's not a whole hell of alot. I would not get emotional over that small of an amount. I would still find it hard to believe there is that little material given how much these things weigh. To skimp there would surprise me. You have to remember Factory numbers are always conservative. Core shift on these have to be much better than the old FE's from 58-76.

 

I get as frustrated with companies as much as the next guy and expect them to be responsible for their end, but I also try to take responsibility for my own end and find a solution.

If it were my block, I'd be upset a bit, too.

But I'd remind myself that I am the one with the bad luck to have a damaged/junk block to begin with and trying to get it fixed. That's my end.

It is quite possible the guy in the shop started boring and continued taking off material until he could find solid metal, then worked to even everything up in an honest effort to get you a good, reliable block.

He could have hit the .030, stopped, and charged you for the boring, but also told you that you couldn't use the block because it exceeded the recommended amount- was too damaged. Left with a bill and no block- also would have been my end of the bad-luck-stick

Now, if the sleeves are a safe and (better?) option, you still have the option to choose sleeves or a new block.

Many times a shop might offer to find you a new block (usually for a reasonable price, they have connections), and maybe offer to bore it or work it for a reduced price- as a courtesy to help someone out with their bad luck.

IMHO, even though the guy may have put it out of spec, he doesn't owe you a block. If he guarantees his services, he might be willing not to charge you full price for the work, but that's a customer service offering, not a requirement.

What if he bored all 7 cylinders, then the 8th one had to go more? He still did 7 cylinders, BUT he wouldn't have to go back to the other 7. There should be some room there, bill-wise...

If it were MY block...I'd expect to get something back that was usable, too, but not for free.

You're there with him, I'm not. I am only suggesting that everyone remember the shop guy did the best with the damaged block that he could. He made a judgement call and might even have been completely wrong...but I don't see any malice there and it sounds like he's trying to help the customer and make it "right"

No sense crucifying the guy Only my armchair opinion, FWIW

So...back to OP.

What have you decided to do?

 

Everyone is right, your block was damaged to a 0.060" cleanup on one hole. That's really the end of it.

They should have punched it to .060 called you and said "hey this one hole is bad, going to take a sleeve to get it back. The others will be fine with a .0x0 over bore. The end.

I wouldn't pay a dime more than the bore/hone cost for those other cylinders. They should sleeve them at there cost minus the bore/hone.

Option two would be to get them to find you a new block and pay them full price to bore/hone that block. They keep your old one and can sell it as they see fit.

I don't think I would be too concerned with a sleeved block though. It's all about what will keep you up at night though.

 

Sorry guys been out hunting the last week. I just called the shop. They bought a block to replace mine. They are cleaning it up and boring it. It should be done this week (only 2 weeks behind schedule).

 

Sounds like they are trying to make it right. I wouldn't be too upset at them if I were you.