Rebuilt Engine?

[radionovember]

So, I just dropped of my 82 FI Spider at the shop to have the top of the engine rebuilt about 2 weeks ago. The mechanic sent a valve off to be machined and got everything put back together. Then he said the radiator kept leaking so he had a plug repaired at another shop and then just got it put back together today. Now I just got finished talking with him on the phone and he said there was a noise and a hole blew in my block.

I called IAP about parts and they said he probably hadnt timed the aux shaft correctly, it hit the number 2 piston, and it punched a hole on the drivers side. Sure enough, the hole was on the drivers side and the aux shaft was snapped in half.

What should my next step be here, assuming I really wanna keep this car for the next 40 years? Used engine, rebuilt engine? The guy at IAP said getting a short block would mean he'd have to re-time the aux shaft and I could wind up in the same place. Where would I even find a rebuilt engine?

Sorry to ask so many questions but I know I've always been able to trust you guys with giving me good advice so I just felt like I shouldn't make anymore decisions without getting your input.

Thanks!

[majicwrench]

Wow, serious bummer.
the shop, in a perfect world, would fess up and be responsible for this. If they do, they are not responsible for giving you a new motor, but a used one. (they didn't destroy a new motor)
Lots of good used motors out there.
Yup, I would be VERY NERVOUS about having this shop work any further on your vehicle.

Lots of rebuilt engines too, methinks IAP has em. Maybe our honorable host here too, not sure.

Keith

[Divers]

A - If your block has a hole in it from the aux shaft your mechanic is NOT a Fiat knowledgeable person.
B - You might have standing in a small claims court BUT.....I would just get a used block from someone and build the lower since your head is done.
C- Make sure you grind the lobe off the aux shaft.

Just my input...

[radionovember]

I agree, the guy working on my Spider is NOT a Fiat guy... he's just the classic car mechanic that's kinda the go to guy here in Nashville. He just manufactured a way to put a differential from a 77 spider on my 82 (couldn't find an 82) and it seems to be working well so far. This job has gone terribly wrong though.

I also agree that he doesn't owe me a new motor, but a used one. Dangit though, my engine only had around 60k and I have a good feeling the next used one I find will have WAY more. Still though, if I wanna keep the car... would it be better for me to put in extra money to what he puts in for a used engine and get rebuilt? Is that what you guys would do or would you feel just as confident in a used one?

[Divers]

I would buy a used bottom and and then rebuild it. Really not that expensive if you are not trying to go anything over a stock bottom end.

[bradartigue]

I'd have him pay for the parts, then I'd do it myself or ship it all to someone who can follow 2nd-grade level instructions. These engines are too easy to rebuild to do something like that or claim it is oversight. Regardless, I don't care what kind of motor you're working on, you NEVER, EVER, EVER turn the motor over for the first time with the starter (which is the only way to crash that shaft - if you turn it by hand it simply just stops turning).

FIAT is not unique in the positioning of shafts, and the TC is such a dead easy motor. What a loss. Take it elsewhere, like your own garage...