I fixed my shifter problem and the starting problem. I fixed the shifter problem in a bout ten minutes, yet you couldnt. Turns out some shaddy work was done on my distributer and the gear was just spinning on the shaft and not turning the rotor. I found it when I was changing the distributor cap and rotor. Cap was cracked, old, and corroded as well as the rotor. How ever I gave money for all new parts. When I went to pull the rotor, I was able to spin it freely. Pulled it out and found that there was no pin. Bought a new pin and when I installed it, I realized the the holes on the gear did not line up with the hole in the shaft. Turns out that MTA drilled the shaft off center. When I lined one hole up, the other side was off by half a hole. So basicly he left it that way with a pin not going all the way through. So when I got it home and reved it a couple times it stalled. That is obviously when the pin was lost. ****ed up thing was he knew about this and when I called him for advice he never mentioned this and you know that it crossed your mind. He promissed to stand by his work, but has not returned any calls or emails in two weeks. There where other shady things I found as well. This swap cost me about $6,000, took over 9 months and I am having to redo just about everything. THANKS ALOT! If you would have returned my calls, and tried to help me I would not have exposed you.

My car is running now, but needs to be timed and tuned as it is nunning ritch and bogging after warming up. I think I will try to find a good speed shop in Miami and have it tuned professionaly with a dyno.

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-Chris -
Custom Gun Metal 86 GT 4.9 V8 5spd

Build up tread or MODS w/ Pics

[This message has been edited by Black-Azz-GT (edited 05-01-2005).]

ouch, I hate hearing about this stuff, hope you can get your ride on the road healthy and soon! You've got one of my favourites, sucks that this happened to you, let alone any Fiero owner.

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ugh... sorry to hear that black... i always thought he was a pretty honest guy.... well i don't want to start anything. So ill just say good luck gettin the 4.9 back on the road running 100%.

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ouch sorry to hear. I know how frustrating that'd be, hopefully things turn around and you get it running good.

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http://formula.cryptnix.com

That sucks, you have such a nice car and to have that happen must have killed you inside.
Anyway, these things are a labor of love but that does not excuse the poor support or lack of phone calls or emails.
People should stand behind their work and not in front of it.

Let me know if there is anything I can to do help.

Again sorry that you are having issues. Knowing you and the car you will fix it right up and make her perfect.

Keep up the good work.

Robert Ver Halen

I'm sure there's both sides to the story, but I was leary when he let the car out of his shop when it wasn't drivable in the first place.

Man, I hate to hear that, but I'm glad you're getting it taken care of, even if you have to do it yourself.
Thanks for the heads up on MTA, though. Sad that it went this far unresolved.

Just so every one knows. I have got my car running. It starts right up, idles fine but needs to be tunned. I cant drive as it starts to bog and I tries to stall when given gas. Timing needs to be set right and the carb adjusted.

As for MTA, I will say that he is a good guy and I like him. But, what I found pisses me off. And the fact that he hasnt responed to my messages, when I needed him put me over the edge. I have seen you post after I sent PM's so I know you have seen them. I have been VERY understanding and you may have been busy, but you could have taken a few minutes to help.

If you want to make this right, pick a day this week to come down and help me get my car driving. I havent been able to drive my car sence I dropped it off at your house 10 months ago.

hey, sorry to hear about that but thanx for the heads ^. i hope u have everything documented as far as reciepts for the work and such and maybe u can mount a lawsuit. b/c if everything is as u say, there is a good chance others have or will be screwed unless consequences are imposed.

me, i was thinking about darthfiero when i get everything straight as he was very helpful(110%) with me on doing a 94 memcal. any1 have any feedback for darthfiero on a 3.4 tdc swap or any engine for that matter while i am at it?

or maybe darth has some experience with 4.9's? i personally don't know. nice looking ride btw.

[This message has been edited by dohcfiend (edited 05-01-2005).]

I would never put him through a law suit. MTA has a family and is a good guy. I will have my car at 100% soon. I would just like to see him, do what ever it takes to make it right.

This will be my first and my last post on this subject as I am not a confrontational person and one thing I have learnt on this forum is that you can be a good guy this minute and a villian the next simply by some one posting a story saying you were bad or you ripped them off and trying to defend your self here only turns out to be a circus where some will take sides and give a negative rating on their beliefs instead of facts , that is why I will only make this one post on this issue with out going into too much private details.
As for the allegations I will address later this swap had a lot of problems starting with 2 months of continuous rain then the hurricane season and changes that was made to the planned swap flywheel problems by this flywheel which broke 2 starter had to get a new and correct flywheel that caused these

and much more and all these were addresed and corrected.After dropping the engine 5 times to correct these issues we found the car had a blown head gasket that I tore it down and did a valve job

if you notice the distributor was out so if I knew it was defective no way would I put it in there with out the pin the car started and was running so to say I did shoddy work is an understatement as for the shifter that was the furthest thing from my mind and had I known I would have fixed it befor it was picked up.I told him that what ever it took to have the car running properly I would assist him even if it ment dropping the engine again I would help him out but I am a busy person lately TCB (new business venture ) that I post once a day time permitting and as for emails I never got any just a pm asking me to come down over 100 mile or more to look at the car which I never did reply but as I said If he choose to say I did shoddy work that is his opinion and he is free to express,I have gone over my call of duty working on the car going to the junkyard countless times ,Fedex dropping the tank 3 times to replace defective fuel pumps and it was not about the money that I charged him which was priceless (and he knows that) but the principle of completing the job.
I have no hard feelings towards him but dissapointed that he said what he did especially when he know the type of person willing to help any one regardless of money or not .

[This message has been edited by Master Tuner Akimoto (edited 05-01-2005).]

First of all. We had an agreement that you would do this swap witha labor charge of $1,500. I would pay for everything else needed and youn would give me a running car for that price in labor. (I have all emails and pms saved showing this)

Next of all, dropping the engine x amount of times is not my problems. Being the master of the 4.9, I would think that you would check the thicknes of the flywheel for clearencebefor installing. Then when the problem was found, you recomended letting the machine shop shave the fly wheel instead of telling me to buy a new one wich I ended up doing because the shaved one caused starter problems and couldnt be used. I spent $4,500 in parts, spared no expence, whats $40 for a new flywheel. What ever you said I needed I over nited the money for. About the change of plans for the swap, I decided to go Carbed when your dog eat my wire harness. I dont see why you cant understand that these where not my problem. As a business man with a customer, it is your job to give me that running car as promissed, no matter what it takes.

We dont need to go on about this, as every one can see you had a job to compleat and thes excuses are not relevent.

And the head gasket, you forgot to tell them that I was there to help pull the engine tear it down and also the next weekend to build and put it back in.

About the 100 mile trip to help. You said you would and I even offered to put your family up at my resort for the weekend and let them enjoy it. This is a $500 a night hotel during the this season.

And This Is Why I Do All My Work Myself

Only One To Blame Is Myself

quote Originally posted by dohcfiend: hey, sorry to hear about that but thanx for the heads ^. i hope u have everything documented as far as reciepts for the work and such and maybe u can mount a lawsuit. b/c if everything is as u say, there is a good chance others have or will be screwed unless consequences are imposed. me, i was thinking about darthfiero when i get everything straight as he was very helpful(110%) with me on doing a 94 memcal. any1 have any feedback for darthfiero on a 3.4 tdc swap or any engine for that matter while i am at it? or maybe darth has some experience with 4.9's? i personally don't know. nice looking ride btw.

awesome work from him and he'll call/email you on anything thats happening to confirm it with you http://www.gmtuners.com is his page. It was a 3 hr drive for me didn't mind it one bit, but if I need to take my car anywhere I know where to go. As long as he's around locally.

fixed my wiring issues, springs, valve springs, rockers, new exhaust, cleaned up the engine bay a little more for free well the cleaning of the engine bay lol

[This message has been edited by LoW_KeY (edited 05-02-2005).]

PM sent black

All the problems MTA had during the swap makes it sound like he didn't know what he was doing and is trying to use his incompetence as an excuse for the delays. Tough. That's your problem. Hurricanes and acts of God - those are valid reasons for delays. Having to pull the engine multiple times because you can't get it right just means you don't know what you're doing.

Typical "one and only" post to say 'it's not my fault.'

Chris, I hope he helps you get everything resolved satisfactorily, but I think you'd be better off finding someone who actually knows what they're doing. Maybe try Lloyd or Ed Parks?

Another lesson on WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR OWN WORK. I have NEVER had to put any of my cars into a shop (someone else to do the work)

1st get a GOOD repair manual
2nd good tools for the job
3rd read the manual
next thing you know you will be fixing your car "just like skitime"!!!!

I mean come on it is "just nuts and bolts

no flames to either one of ya'll

quote Originally posted by revin: Another lesson on WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR OWN WORK. I have NEVER had to put any of my cars into a shop (someone else to do the work) 1st get a GOOD repair manual 2nd good tools for the job 3rd read the manual next thing you know you will be fixing your car "just like skitime"!!!! I mean come on it is "just nuts and bolts no flames to either one of ya'll

I agree wioth you, but when you live in an apartment builing on a 5 star resort, An engine swap in the parking lot is out of the question.

[This message has been edited by Black-Azz-GT (edited 05-02-2005).]

quote Originally posted by revin: Another lesson on WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR OWN WORK. I have NEVER had to put any of my cars into a shop (someone else to do the work) 1st get a GOOD repair manual 2nd good tools for the job 3rd read the manual next thing you know you will be fixing your car "just like skitime"!!!! I mean come on it is "just nuts and bolts no flames to either one of ya'll

What, no mention of call Loyde a few times Just kidding for the most part. Kevin trys to read those manuals and get the right tool for the right job.... I think !

Loyde

quote Originally posted by Black-Azz-GT: As a business man with a customer, it is your job to give me that running car as promissed, no matter what it takes.

That about sums it up folks

quote Originally posted by Black-Azz-GT: I agree wioth you, but when you live in an apartment builing on a 5 star resort, An engine swap in the parking lot is out of the question.

Sorry to hear this. I think you should rent a small working place then and start your SBC swap. I can help you with that one. Love to visit the keys

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Palm Beach Fieros
http://pbfieros.tripod.com

quote Originally posted by FastFieros: What, no mention of call Loyde a few times Loyde

That is a book all it's own, Loyde ( or MAYBE even under "notes" in the back of the manual.........)

5 star resort????? out of how many stars??????

I tried to buy the car from you. You wouldnt be going through this mess if we made the deal.

Chris

His dog ate the wiring harness?!?!

quote Originally posted by dohcfiend: me, i was thinking about darthfiero when i get everything straight as he was very helpful(110%) with me on doing a 94 memcal. any1 have any feedback for darthfiero on a 3.4 tdc swap or any engine for that matter while i am at it? or maybe darth has some experience with 4.9's? i personally don't know. nice looking ride btw.

just look at darths 3.4dohc 4speed build thread.. his work speaks for itself.. very high quality.. and definately a helpful guy

quote Originally posted by revin: Another lesson on WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO DO YOUR OWN WORK. I have NEVER had to put any of my cars into a shop (someone else to do the work) 1st get a GOOD repair manual 2nd good tools for the job 3rd read the manual next thing you know you will be fixing your car "just like skitime"!!!! I mean come on it is "just nuts and bolts no flames to either one of ya'll

4th, buy a bunch of beer and invite your friends over to do all the work for you!

Nice going Revin... making it sound like you do all your own work...

My rules are not to take more jobs than I can do for the time needed, dont do things that are over my head. I rarely have more than 2 cars here at once. I work by myself, so it would be dumb for me to have a bunch of cars just sitting here that arent going to be touched for a while. If he works by himself doing an engine swap, he should have nothing else going on during the time hes going to work on it. If hes working to start another business, he shouldnt be taking jobs he dont have time to devote to it. I know for myself, an engine swap is a VERY time consuming job. No way Id try to do that while working on something else unless its my own car. Very poor business practices to me.

Im not knocking him personally since I know nothing about him.

About the distributor, what pi$$es me off is that you drilled the hole in the shaft wich was off center so the holes in the gear would in no way match up. I am not accusing you of not putting a pin in. You put a pin in that would not go all the way through. It is impossible as with one hole lined up, the other is not even close. This is why the pin came out and could have damaged my engine. Also there is no way this could have been not known! When I bought a new bull pin, it wouldnt work because the hole was WAY off. I had to drill a new hole wich worked. It took me over two weeks to find this because you told me not to pull the distributor.

Not returning my calls and PM for over two weeks now, shows me that you dont care and that you didnt meen it when you said you would do what ever it takes to get this running properly. All I wanted was help. Sorry it had to go this far to get a responce from you.

I am getting my car dyno tuned, so I guess I dont need help anymore.

Hey I am happy for you.

[This message has been edited by Master Tuner Akimoto (edited 05-02-2005).]

Just so you know. I did read that last post before you just edited it. I dont think you want to continue as you know there was plenty of other things I can through out here that would aw people to say the least. I was more understanding than anyone could immagine.

Maybe an apology would be better to post then what you just had up.

What kind of deals to PFFr's get on a room at the resort??
We are going to be comming there sometime in June or July.

We were in the Keys a couple years ago on a cruise, but this time we are
going to drive this time.

You can either PM me or E-mail @ carolinajoe@yahoo.com

Thanks

I have an opinion in favor of, and against both parties in this conflict, but as always I will just bite my fingers.
I believe you both to be good guys, hope everything can be worked out.
Have a Great Day
JMO
Thanks Gary

Well if somebody else can send me the money to pay for it. I will let him do a swap on my car, and then post the results here for everyone to see LOL

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87 Fiero GT Fastback
Remanufactured 3.1 w/ 13k miles on it now.
5 speed getrag with about 76k on it.

quote Originally posted by Gecko: Well if somebody else can send me the money to pay for it. I will let him do a swap on my car, and then post the results here for everyone to see LOL

I second that

Actually I would have no problem letting him work on my car.

quote Originally posted by Black-Azz-GT: Maybe an apology would be better to post then what you just had up.

Sounds like he's not interested in an apology. More like he just wants to tell you it's not his fault and try to act like you should thank him for taking your money and doing crappy work.

At no point in his post did he make any mention of fixing the problems - only why it wasn't his problem.
"I have gone over my call of duty" -- guess that means he figures he'll only work on your car so much, then you're on your own. That sure seems to be what you're experiencing.

But I'm sure there are others on here who can help you get everything squared away.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: But I'm sure there are others on here who can help you get everything squared away.

I'm shooting for next tuesday to have it dyno tuned, as long as I can get the day off. This should be all that it needs at this point.

Hey Black-Azz-Gt

Just wondering how you are doing down there in the Keys.
Dennis is on it's way.
Have you evacuated yet to the Mainland??
Good Luck to you and Batten down the Hatches

That's nothing dude, just throw a couple of dimes in it and it will be good as new, right MTA?

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If he used quarters do you think they would have lased longer? I have a few ports on my motor and was wondering what denomination would be best for plugging them. I see the JB weld didn't work, will bubblegum melt in the engine bay? I also have a tube of crazy glue, is this better?