Hi, I'm not sure if we're allowed to gossip about businesses (in which case PM me) but can anyone advise me regarding engine builders? I've enlisted the help of someone with a good reputation but have concerns about when they can do the job.... very little progress in months despite several promises. I'm not in a huge hurry, still a lot of work to do on the car, maybe 6-12 months worth, but no progress is a worry because it'll be the same in 6-12m!

I would like fast road (I was thinking 100-110hp) but reliable, well finished and professionally done or am I asking too much?? I have a 998 Leyland gearbox/engine and a 1098 long block. Money is not an issue, within reason of course!

Thanks

Jon

I guess there are two points....

1. Its not much good making recommendation unless we know where you are???
and..2. If you've already "enlisted" someone then it might help to ask them when they might be getting around to your job.

Any professional shop will have a schedule of work and will know pretty well when existing work will allow them to take on new jobs...

Cheers, Ian

A positive or neutral comment about a business is fine, so long as you are being honest in what you say. One of the problems with posting negative comments on a forum like this is the business in question does not have an opportunity to respond if they are not a registered user. There's often two sides to every story, so your description of what happened may not be the same as what the business sees.

The forum rules are here - viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24057

Clause 4 is the one that applies to this discussion.

4. Objectionable comments about a business or company, whether it be true or not, are not allowed.

Jonnoh - suggest you add your location to your user profile.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Yes, OK that's a good idea. I'm in Adelaide. I wasn't worried about location, I've already sent the block/engine/gbox interstate....you pay for this of course but it's not exorbitant. 150kg about $250.

I've already enquired as to the likely completion, parts sent mid September, visited builder end of September, phone call a few weeks later was advised definitely before christmas, phone call a month ago 'unlikely before christmas' and I had to remind him who I was....

Extrapolate that and I still see no result. I was just putting feelers out there in case someone knew of anyone who was very good but perhaps less busy.

Any good business will be busy. A good business will have a schedule of work, and they will stick to it. It sounds to me like your intended builder is not able to manage their workflow. Did you send your engine to Melbourne perchance?

A bit rude if you have sent the engine to them from another state and also visted them. Very slim pickings in Adelaide but. I know of 2 in the north that do minis. Rhemac Motors in Willaston do minis, C & M Engines in Smithfield as well - He used to work at Rhemac.
I suppose you could look at it like if they were not busy would they be any good??

Thanks everyone. Yes I could get someone local but I was willing to get it done wherever needed, if they had a reputation as a good engine builder. Anyone heard of Len Read down on Mornington Peninsula?

Oh, not Melbourne. Sydney..

Yep. Does a lot of racing and road minis. There will be a lot of guys on here that have gone to him for a rebuild.

A positive or neutral comment about a business is fine, so long as you are being honest in what you say. One of the problems with posting negative comments on a forum like this is the business in question does not have an opportunity to respond if they are not a registered user. There's often two sides to every story, so your description of what happened may not be the same as what the business sees.

What about being HONEST in a negative comment? Sorry, I hate this forum rule. I'm for warning my fellow mini owners.

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The bitterness of poor quality (or Crappy Workmanship) remains LONG AFTER the Sweet Taste of Low Price is forgotten.

The owner of another Australian forum got sued for defamation over posts made on his forum. He lost everything he owned. He didn't make the comments, he merely owned the forum.
If you want to have a forum where you can name and shame at will you are always welcome to start your own at your own risk.

I hate lots of rules and regulations in life, but most are there to protect people. The forum rule is there to protect the Ausmini administrators from legal action.

Edit: Thanks Morris 1100. Same explanation using different words.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

I work in government legislation, "rules" and regulations every day.

Morris 1100 can you PM me this info about the other forum please.

Edit: Surely the 'owners' of a forum are its members. That is what I would argue.

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The bitterness of poor quality (or Crappy Workmanship) remains LONG AFTER the Sweet Taste of Low Price is forgotten.

The owner of the forum is the bloke that set it up and pays the bills and has his name on the IP address. He is the one that cops the fall when random strangers post stuff on his forum.

The other forum was Zgeek. You can find news stories about the lawsuit online, there are appeals still pending.

so even by adding the rider "in my personal opinion mr ZYG is a total scoundrel and should not be trusted as far as i can throw him " still does not cover the forum .?

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