Do you KNOW the other side of the story?? Exactly what was said buy the previous owner to the shop? If no, assuming anything is not something that should be done. Applying blind logic here just is not a good idea, in my opinion. For all you know the previous owners very well could have told the shop owner I am dumping this turd, just get it running so I can sell it. My best friend owns a trans shop, you would be surprised at what people ask him to do.....