I just got my block back from the machine shop and am not very happy with the results. This cylinder walls were slightly scratched from a previous ring-land failure and I was having them bore it out to 81.25mm. I was not sure that 81.25mm would be big enough to get rid of the scratches so they said they would do a rough bore and if it was enough they would let me know and I would be able to order pistons which they would use for the final honing. This way I didn’t order pistons that I might not be able to use. However, today they called and told me it was ready to be picked up and that they had bored and honed it already. When I got there I had them measure the diameter of the cylinders and it was 3.2000'' which is going to give me a little over 0.002'' piston to cylinder clearance. 81.25mm is the only oversize piston Honda makes so i am kind of stuck. I could run Nippon pistons but I wanted this build to be a 100% ohm rebuild and I don’t think that I should have to compromise because the machine shop screwed up. I would like to hear some opinions from you guys about what I should do. It seems that at this point I am going to try to work with them to resolve the issue and I think that I am either owed a replacement block or cash for the value of the block plus a refund for the machining costs. Am i wrong? I would like to resolve this calmly but I am willing to take them to small claims if needed.

Also, what is a B18C5 block worth these days?

I really wish they would have just followed through and done this right. I was hoping to be assembling this thing right now.

 

I hate to say it, but don't expect them to hand you a check for anything. If you want to walk out the door with their money they will almost definitely say no. Every shop wins and loses with customers, over legitimate complaints and nut jobs (yours is definitely legit). Both types of problems are money out the door, but neither will be given a check to walk out with. Try to do what you can to keep some business there and they will be more willing to work with you. Talk to the shop manager, or even the owner and calmly explain what the deal was and tell them how upset you were because they didn't do what they were supposed to. Be assertive and tell them they need to make it right to you.

You may have to compromise by going aftermarket (b/c its the only physically possible way of making it work), but don't think that is so bad. Find a real good aftermarket piston, ring set, etc. that would suit your needs, and isn't too far off in price, and demand they eat the cost difference because they didn't do what they were supposed to. Also tell them you shouldn't pay full price for poor service. You could upgrade courtesy of the shop that didn't come through. It could be a compromise, or a blessing in disguise (I can't believe I just wrote something that cheesy).

I wouldn't threaten to lawyer up just yet. A legal battle will probably cost you more than a new motor. Try to stay cool and work it out, and if they are at all reasonable they will work with you. Go straight to the top, don't waste any time with underlings. If they give you an attitude, give one right back, but only in proportion to what you've been given.

 

sounds like the machine shop did the job right and did what you asked for..to fix the block till it cleaned up. It seems that your problem lays in no matter what, you would have to had buy aftermarket pistons if you wanted to keep your block..

There not going and shouldn't have to pay for something that you needed anyway.
You should be happy they were not willing to compromise on the machine work and did it right. Your court case would be completely irrational if you were to decide to go that route. They told you up front not to buy pistons so that you would know what to purchase when the job was done..now you know..your only compromise is your own expectations.. Buy a set of pistons.

 

Those are two pretty legits answers.. im voting more towards the second one.

After all they did clean up the walls till your scratch was gone, correct? If you didnt have that scratch in the first place and they bored it out too big, then yes you would have a good case. But to me it just sounds like they did what you wanted them to do.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HEAD &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sounds like the machine shop did the job right and did what you asked for..to fix the block till it cleaned up. It seems that your problem lays in no matter what, you would have to had buy aftermarket pistons if you wanted to keep your block..

There not going and shouldn't have to pay for something that you needed anyway.
You should be happy they were not willing to compromise on the machine work and did it right. Your court case would be completely irrational if you were to decide to go that route. They told you up front not to buy pistons so that you would know what to purchase when the job was done..now you know..your only compromise is your own expectations.. Buy a set of pistons.

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This is not correct. They bored it to 3.2000'' instead of 3.1988''. Either would have gotten rid of the scratches but only one will have acceptable clearances. Now i am stuck with a a cylinder bore that is not suitable for either a stock piston or an aftermarket. If i went aftermarket it would need to be bored and honed AGAIN. The problem is 100% their fault. I was very clear in explaining what i wanted to be done and even included photo copies from the Honda service manual. They decided to neglect those cylinder to wall clearances stated in the manual and make up their own. You cant just go honing cylinder walls without pistons in hand which is exactly what they did.

Another thing I didn’t mention is that I made it very clear that I wanted the mains to be torqued for the bore and hone but when I asked if that was done upon picking up the block he said they did not do it because it wasn’t needed.

If I do end up having to take this to court I have a witness who was there with me who can prove that they did not do what was requested. Another advantage is that I work in R&D for a major engine manufacturer and am good friends with our lead four cylinder piston component engineer who would be willing to be a reference, if needed.

I work in Base Engine design and was very very very clear with what i wanted done on this block and they did not follow through. I have an extensive background and lots experience with this kind of stuff and the mistake was not made on my part. I am waiting to get the measurements back from the layout lab at work and then will be going to talk with the shop on Thursday. I am hoping they will be willing to work with me to resolve the problem peacefully.

How do you guys feel about stock replacement sleeves. This shop does them and it seems like it might be an option. Darton makes sleeves but I don’t know if I want to trust this shop with the work since they have never done it on a Honda.

 

Well if it you asked them to bore the sleeves out to 3.1988 and they bored it out to 3.2000 than i guess it is their fault. In court you would probably need something in writing saying the agreement was to bore it out to 3.1988 and they messed up.

Well if your dead set on an oem build, than i guess new oem sleeves is really the only way to go. Oem sleeves are way better than aftermarket anyway if your not boosting or spraying it. They are the same thickness all the way around which means theyll expand the same all the way around as it heats up..

unlike aftermarket sleeves