Beware Dumb Hot Rod Shops

It's not just 'hot rod shops' and it (goobered work) isn't new, either.

One of my engines, a local NHRA-holding machine shop that did the machine work ordered a set of custom pistons. Come assembly time and checking clearances, the head was pushed 1/2" off the deck with one of those 'custom' made pistons.

Had a rig (cute Rampage with a 2.2) that would sometimes stall on hard right turns. Eventually, it 'stalled' bad enough to not start. Towed to a reputable repair shop. Problem: A fusible link that acted like a fuse. It was 'repaired' by said shop. It was hitting something evidently...'cuz some months later the car caught FIRE after a right-hand turn. Totaled. The 'reputable shop' had replaced the fusible ink with hunk of wire. When I told them about it, SHOWED them the harness they said, 'We would never do anything like that.' I guess a gremlin snuck in after they 'properly fixed' the failed link and put the wire in 'cuz of course, they wouldn't LIE about doing it, right?

I've got a list as long as your arm of similar examples. The above two were decades ago.

Moral of the story: Do your own work. Don't know how? Learn. Don't have a garage, don't have room in your garage to do the work? That's what living rooms and kitchen sinks are for! What's an engine stand for if not to hold your being-built engine in your living room? Worked for me!

As bad as your 'boo-boo' was, no one died. That's a good thing.