I don't know about you, but when a friend says that his uncle overhauls engines and the guy owns a machine shop and has run the business for several years, one would get the impression that this person is a educated/trained mechanic, right? Well, it was over a year ago that the engine was overhauled in my truck by this friends' uncle. We'll call him "Bob". So, I plan the overhaul, save the money, and go talk to "Bob". At the time I didn't know much about what goes into an overhaul and what could have been done to up the performance a little on the EFI 302 in my truck. "Bob" says I can't do any of this or that to the engine. "Ok", I say with a blank look on my face. I hadn't found this forum or any other info on the internet yet about my truck. I needed the truck running, so I gave the go-ahead with the overhaul. Got the truck back a week later. The truck didn't run quite right when I got it back, but stupid little me didn't stand up and say much about it. "I don't know much about Ford fuel injection" Bob said. So, after a $2000 incomplete job, I'm stuck trying to figure out how to finish up cleaning out the bugs. Took me another $500 to finally get it going right. I wasn't very impressed with the way the whole deal went.

Well, wouldn't you know, a month ago I find out that Bob isn't really an educated/trained mechanic; instead, he's a self taught fella who knows nothing but chevies and the occasional tractor. Gee, nice of someone to tell me that now.

I feel stupid for not checking more info in the first place, but I guess you live and learn. I'm still trying to sort out fuel issues on the truck. The high pressure pump is what is troubling. Ran nice before the overhaul, now I've tried two different pumps and still can't get it right.

Ok, this probably didn't make much sense, but I just had to vent a little. I feel taken 'cause I thought this guy was a mechanic. The more I find out about this guy the more I worry. Needless to say, he won't be seeing any of my vehicles again. Also, next time I'll either take the time to learn and do it myself or find out more about the fella doing the work.

 

i know the feeling. i am haveing a few trouble myself, like a lifter tick that wasn't there before but after the rebuild is... and everytime i leave it overnight for them they don't hear it and i does it for my almost everyday! it sucks and i hate the amount of money it takes for me to learn!

 

You're kidding me right? I would go right back to "Bob" and tell him what I thought about the job he did, and the way he runs his business.

 

Everybody's uncle is a mechanic, right?

I am surprised the guy couldn't figure out a 302 though. If it doesn't work right, get a tester and the computer will tell you what is wrong.

 

I am working on a Contour at the moment that had been worked on by a "professional" mechanic while it was in the hands of the PO. Same problems... The PO wasn't much better about fixing things either.

 

I'm glad I have a mechanic that I know well and that I trust when I cannot do whatever it is.

 

This is exactly why when you dont want to do the work yourself take your truck to a big chain owned shop i.e. Pep-Boys. Do NOT take it to Bob's auto repair.

What happens is if you take your truck to pep-boys and they screw it up, you have managers/CEO's to complain to.

If you take your truck to Bob's Auto Repair and he screws it up..... You have to go deal with BOB!!!!

Take this experience as a GOOD lesson in life!!

 

Great. I know the problem! He gave your truck some type of Chevy disease that can only be cured by letting it sit in a Ford dealership parking lot overnight. The other Fords will work together to try and cure it.

-Matt

 

One thing i learned through unknown mechanics,always get a second opinion on costs and recomendations.