Some tips for those of you who don't do your own engine installs-how to choose a reliable shop:
How long have they been in business?
Did you hear of them through a satisfied customer? someone that had just heard about them? one of their neighbors? or through a lot of advertising? You can't buy a reputation through advertising, although many have tried.
Look around, do they have any other Hi-Perf boats that are having installs? or are they just an oil change/tuneup/stereo shop?
Quantity and quality of hand tools and heavy shop tools? Just a roll around tool box and little else?
Any Hi-Perf parts or Hi-perf install parts in stock? Maybe yours will be their first experiment?
If the installation will require a lot of braided lines and fittings,are there any in stock? Do they have the proper assembly tools for braided hose assembly? (many users can and have assembled braided lines with a crescent wrench and a vice, but a paid professional should have the correct tools).When they go and buy the required parts will they get the proper sizes of hose? and the proper hi-flow tube-style elbows? or get whatever is in stock and at the cheapest price that they can get? Do they have any experience to KNOW what sizes are appropriate for the application?
Do they know that a GEN VI Big block Chevy has oil cooler ports in the block? or would they use a $15.00 cheapo generic filter adapter to route oil to the cooler? This would be acceptable for a stock engine, but would lead to oil starvation in a stroker/blower motor and could cause the front bearings to fail first.
Most engine builders do not have a warrenty that will cover improper installation by an unqualified person or shop.
If you have a tunnel boat, has the shop in question EVER worked on one? or will they inadvertantly drill holes through the BOTTOM OF THE HULL AND INTO THE TRAILER BUNKS to mount the battery trays, oil cooler, and various line clamps? Will the hull then be deck and lag screwed to your new trailer?
Would they admit that they made a mistake and fix it correctly, or offer to pay someone to fix it who knows the proper technique to repair a balsa core laminate hull? or attempt a half a$$ a repair and not tell the customer?
Ask to see work orders of other, like installs and references from past installs.
Will your boat be the fastest/highest HorsePower one that they have ever worked on?
Would they then attack the engine builder after their improper install?
MOMMY SAID THAT IF I COULD'NT SAY ANYTHING NICE, NOT TO SAY ANYTHING AT ALL. THIS POST REFERENCES HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS AND POSSIBLE PROBLEMS. IT IS AN INFORMATIONAL POST REGARDING FICTIONAL ISSUES ONLY. No reference is made to any person, human, business, customer, or potential customer. Any similarities to any person living or dead, or any business transactions is/are purely coincidental. TIMINATOR