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Discussion starter · #21 ·
It was very cordial. I explained the concerns and told them there was enough damage for my worry. He agreed and offered to send it through insurance, but cautioned against being too hasty. He offered to pay for the obviously broken parts and sheepishly recommended I live with the cosmetic damage in order to avoid paying more money, costing more labor and time to fix something that’s probably not mechanically broken. He did say I need to decide what I want to make this right, to his great credit. However, I’m finding it really difficult to determine a fair compensation for the damage.
 
#22 ·
I know this is not the popular opinion but I think this is not acceptable. I would get another engine…use the insurance and be patient in this process. You paid for a new engine…not a damaged one. What happens when something fails outside of the warranty period from the result of some unaccounted-for shipping damage? What about the concentricity of the transmission to the bellhousing to the engine? Transmission cases are designed to take the stress from horsepower not to be thrown around a crate while connected to an engine.

Everyone handles something like this differently. But I would ask for my money back and go to someone who can pack an engine properly…and accounts for these now-more-common shipping abuses.
 
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#23 ·
Sandthemall said:
I know this is not the popular opinion but I think this is not acceptable.
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Yeah people in here are nuts. This isn't a $30 item off Amazon with a hole in the box. It's an expensive piece of equipment that wasn't secured properly for transit.

I'm in the UK, not sure what consumer rights there is over there but if this landed on my doorstep and I opened it to see it just flopped in the crate, with various bits bent/crushed it would be going right back.
 
#24 ·
Highplainsdakota said:
He offered to pay for the obviously broken parts and sheepishly recommended I live with the cosmetic damage in order to avoid paying more money, costing more labor and time to fix something that’s probably not mechanically broken.
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I don't understand? Why would you pay more money for something that was damaged in transit due to improper packing? lol.

New engine, he can take that one back. If he's so confident it's undamaged he can repair it and resell it at full price to someone else.
 
#25 ·
The engine builder is right, it's cosmetics, apart from the damaged pieces he is replacing. My only concern would be damage to oil filter threads in the block, but it is a robust thread vs. a flimsy oil filter pressing.
 
#27 ·
In my opinion, while I'd be very disappointed, considering what was paid for this complete setup, I don't feel the damages warrant a return. The seller has already expressed a willingness to replace obvious damaged parts. I see a failure in the crating and "maybe"(?) the shipper wasn't as careful as they should have been. I think the crating would have better survived if the engine was shipped separate from the tranny. I've received a T5z shipped that was very well crated and didn't receive any bruises. I would expect a remuneration aside from the damaged parts would be in order. How much?
 
#28 ·
Highplainsdakota said:
Hey guys,

I have a situation with a Shelby cobra I’m building. I ordered a custom engine from a reputable builder, Boss block bored and stroked to 363. It was finished and shipped last week and arrived Tuesday. The crate looked good and we signed for it.

The next day we opened the crate and the brackets they made to hold the engine had failed, crushing the oil filter, a spark plug wire, damaging the side of the block and cylinder head where they mate (about 1.5” diameter area of damage on each side), the transmission had broken through the bottom of the crate. The engine was resting on the oil pan, bellhousing, external slave for the clutch, and against some twisted metal against a head bolt. There was obvious wear on the wood crate from the engine bouncing around, proving the brackets failed early in shipping.

I will try attach some photos. The builder says it’s cosmetic, he’s sorry but I should keep the engine and he will send out a new oil filter and spark plug wire, and I need to decide what would make this right. He’s a good guy and don’t want to hurt his business because stuff happens, but should I accept the risk of a potentially damaged engine?

Would any of you feel comfortable accepting this engine as is and maybe take a discount from the price or would you send the whole thing back for a new cylinder head? I’m pretty sure the damage to the block is cosmetic and won’t/can’t be fixed either way. I need some advice please!
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In my opinion the engine builder is being more than accommodating. It's the CARRIER that should be liable for damage and a claim should be opened with them, by you.
 
#29 ·
First, the crate is built like doodoo to handle a fully built engine and transmission assembly. Where is the rear support? I see nothing bolted to the transmission mount - was it just floating? The bottom of the crate looks like a cheap skid built from pine and is wide open, that's not how you protect a shipment valued at what - $25k?

The shipping company either dropped it or the truck hit one hell of a pothole.

Sorry, but for what I'm guessing that setup cost, the builder can take that back and start over.
 
#30 ·
Woodchuck said:
In my opinion the engine builder is being more than accommodating. It's the CARRIER that should be liable for damage and a claim should be opened with them, by you.
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Isn't the builder the customer of the carrier, not OP? The builder isn't liable, but if OP says the package was damaged in transit is it not up to the builder to claim against the carrier?
 
#31 ·
TheLoraxxZeus said:
Isn't the builder the customer of the carrier, not OP? The builder isn't liable, but if OP says the package was damaged in transit is it not up to the builder to claim against the carrier?
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No. Claims for shipping damage should be filed by the receiver, not the sender. That way any payment for the claim goes to the person damaged.
 
#32 ·
Yes, even more so since the "receiver" signed off , accepting the shipment. In a case like this, I would have had it insured. I ship around the world, in my business. It's the buyers responsibility to ask for insurance, most all buyers decline. I receive product from my Netherlands supplier and I typically decline insurance. In my 30 + years of business, I've had one claim for damages. This was against UPS International.
 
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#33 ·
I agree with HK on this crate. It's not the shippers fault, they didn't toss this thing on a doorstep from the curb. It's whoever signed off on the capability of the packaging to ensure it reaches its destination safely. Expect it will be mistreated, and account for such. It is the least expensive and most important part of the equation. Why someone would try and cost cut something like that is confusing. I just bought a crate motor (motor only) and there was nearly 8 ft of 2x12 garnered from the disposal. Your pride in your product is only as good as the packaging. It just seems ignorant. OVERBUILD the crate FFS.
 
#34 ·
If there is no support for the rear trans mount, then this damage could have occurred without the crate necessarily being dropped. That much weight hanging out unsupport would easily stress those "motor mounts" to the point of failure from normal handling during shippment.
 
#35 ·
Here's my opinion...

If I were in that situation I would accept the engine as I do not see enough damage that warrants the engine be returned. I do not see enough damage to indicate the internals will fail because of this incident. I do not see any damage to the block where the bracket was bolted to the engine mounting bracket holes. Stuff pointed out on the transmission looks like casting marks to me, not cracks or damage. That's how my TKO 600 looks and it arrive from American Powertrain in perfect condition. The oil filter is a thin piece of flimsy metal that will crush before causing any damage to the block/oil filter threads.

The engine builder has provided his response.....He will replace the damaged parts (i.e. oil filter and plug wires). He asked what could be done to make it right. I would ask for a partial refund because there is visible "cosmetic" damage. Also, any cosmetic damage shown will not be seen once the engine and transmission are installed. So, how much of a refund depends on how much the OP paid. To be honest, I would ask for a few hundred bucks. It really isn't that bad, based on the pictures posted.

Everyone is different. Some people think this is completely unacceptable. Great, then when this happens to them they can file insurance claims and ask for a new engine and transmission to be shipped out. That's their prerogative as they spent thousands of dollars and can expect to receive a perfect delivery. That is their right.

To me, that is unnecessary. But OP it's your choice. You have several opinions here and it seems they vary. Good luck to you OP. In my opinion you will be fine either route you choose.

If you install it and have issues, just make a warranty claim through the engine builder. He's aware of your situation and seems to be willing to work with you. He's also suggesting the engine should be fine. So, discuss it with him and if you're concerned, have him send you something in writing that states he will cover it if there are problems after you install it. If he's that confident in it let him back it up writing. You could forego the refund and ask for his guarantee in writing. Something to consider.

As someone else said....I would run it...It doesn't look that bad to me...

Good luck my friend.
 
#36 ·
Woodchuck said:
No. Claims for shipping damage should be filed by the receiver, not the sender. That way any payment for the claim goes to the person damaged.
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Oh interesting. Yeah over in the UK it's different, if something comes damaged in the post we contact the seller who them deals with carrier. Basically we don't have to deal with shipping **** ups.
 
#38 ·
To confirm - it is the responsibility of the receiver (buyer) to file the claim. The builder is being nice with parts offering, and is not required to do that. Give him credit for that, but don't let him file. You do that, if a filing is made. It is the shipping company with all the responsibility here. If the crate is sub-standard, that is the shipping company's problem to go after them, not yours.

Reminder - this is not an opinion situation of what to do, but specific to the contracts with each party. You have responsibilities, and I'd suggest you read-up on what they are. Many contracts require you to not sign if any damage on arrival, so yo may already have made that 'decision'. Find out. Or drop the issue and take the parts. Your only decision is whether to file for shipping damages, or not. Do your thing for what will make you happy, and let them do theirs.
 
#39 ·
JohnnyK said:
Uhh, ok, but this engine was dropped during shipping. Ford generally didn't do that.
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Generally, sure.
But I bet those crates got banged and bumped, engines got chain-snatched and shoe-horned etc because Ford was in the business of mass-producing cars and trucks, not building one-off custom stuff and restoring them. Engines were painted on the assembly line with the thermostat housing, bypass hose, oil filter and the exhaust manifolds already on, spots were missed, stuff done differently from shift to shift, and when those engine mounts got tightened no one was looking to see if there was a scratch on the underside of the head.
...then it came off the truck at the Ford dealer some turkey mechanic took it for a test drive and launched it over some railroad tracks to recreate the "Flying Shelby" he heard about... it got lined up with the other new cars and no one was the wiser.
 
#40 ·
You need to disclose who you bought this engine/transmission package from because that crating is totally inadequate for the weight it was supposed to handle and protect. At least this way people can avoid this vendor until he figures out how to protect $20K worth of product. The cursory cart/crate I built to simply store a 45K mile 4 valve 4.6/tranny/IRS is ten times stronger than that cracker box.
 
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