who to send a block to ?

[JPEROG]

Good luck to you. I hope Ron has seen this and realizes we are not trying to rip on him as much as we would like to see a shop that was once regarded as one of the best get back to it's original status. With the good comments comes the feeling the quality is still there just not the ability to deal with it all, yet. Best of luck to all involved. We have a very short season in some places and having your block holding up the fun and/or business is really unacceptable and I'm afraid it could easily be enough to ruin his investment in a once go to business.

Rock

Very well said-

Jim busted is butt for years to build what Ron was able to acquire. It is a very special person that has the ability to be a precision machinist and be a communicator all in one-"Ron was part of what Jim had to make this possible". If you can't be both then be one and hire the other-it will only make your business better for you and your customers. Customers are no different then a fire "stay on top of it and they are manageable, ignore it and it gets out of control and something you are forced to run and hide from".

Joe

[Baker343]

James Perry has built two engines for me that I race.
James in a honest man who knows how to cut and match port and exhaust work.
He also re-sleeves. The man builds strong motors.

[stoker2001]

One thing I noticed which is obvious is Ron doesn't have anyone to answer phone,which has to be frustrating this time of year when everyone sends in there blocks late and expects them early..just my 2 pesos worth..the phone is a big distraction for a machinist..lets hope he gets help soon

[Dave Strong]

One thing I noticed which is obvious is Ron doesn't have anyone to answer phone,which has to be frustrating this time of year when everyone sends in there blocks late and expects them early..just my 2 pesos worth..the phone is a big distraction for a machinist..lets hope he gets help soon

We do not always answer our phone at the shop, hard to hear when standing beside a motor running on the hose. But we have an answering machine and regularly check for messages and always call back.

Dave

[tux974]

I do not care how much money you have or how much you pay for a business you CAN NOT buy someone's knowledge or work ethics, period!!
If you do,n IMPO you are simply not being smart or realistic!
Sure some may not be able to answer the phone during work hours (if you are truly working) Then at the very least answer your messages at the end of the work day, no matter how many hours it make take, especially starting out in a new business and trying to create a good reputation or customer base. If not interested or feel it is worth talking to a potential client/customer then you need to go work for someone!
BTW, it is NOT just this guy Ron there are many others doing the same thing!

[stoker2001]

[QUOTE=Dave Strong;2849304]. But we have an answering machine and regularly check for messages and always call back.

Dave[/QUOTEYip,that is my experience with Ron
]

[Chaz]

All really good answers ....
The reason I asked about expedite fee's is because in my Top/Dragster days , we all went thru pistons at an alarming rate . They would have at your door in three days , but man you'd have to pay for them. Always left me feeling like I got ripped.

I think we all know the value of a dollar , as well as what it feels like to get stood up on a date . It's a given that neither are pleasant .

Some of the above are perfect world situations .

A friend that I met racing owned a rather big furniture mfg / dist company . His secretary / blocker would always say he's in a meeting , can I take a message . I'd say , I wanted to know if he needed anything brought to the track , before I locked up and left. Funny how he would be on the phone in 2 seconds ... What about the meeting
My painter , told me if his manager ever said he was the owner , he would be fired on the spot . I pay you to deal with it . I don't have the "luxury" of either .

I think the absolute best and worst thing to come along is texting. People usually say what they have to say , short and sweet which is good . It's bad when I'm the only one working while I pay everyone else to fight with their girlfriend / wife . All you MF's go put that junk in your car and get to work . Now there just more sneaky about it. Course it's pretty easy to tell , one minute their happy , joyous and free , next minute a raging idiot .. you tell me

Last thing I want is for them touching my machines or your parts .. come back when your ready to work ..!
Doesn't happen often , but when it does it ruin's everyone's productivity .

Steel barrel stuff is easy to get the liner out , buy one just about anywhere , get it seated in , bored , honed and back in your hands in no time.

Since Nic liners are aluminum , they expand and contract with the block . They either need to be bored or cut out . And dont let one get stuck half way in and lock up .. that's right , bore or cut it out ..
At close to $400 each , most don't stock to many for a motor that went out of production over a decade ago .
If they have to make it , your looking at TEN WEEKS minimum . Ooppps , wrong size , it's another TEN WEEKS till they make it , ship it to the platers , and shipped back to them . Then they can ship it to you . look's like it could be FIVE MONTHS + to get parts ... No liar's , scheme's , scam's or deception , just the way it is with those motors.
Want a steel liner put in your 280 .. ? have it done in three days ! No , I didnt think so ..

This one knocked the mating surface off of both the block and front half. Took out two liners , a transfer port and one floor , broke both starter mounting lugs off , and sawed thru one injector and it's mount .

[Raysoncrafter]

Alot of good points you make here- some I have to comment on:

The reason I asked about expedite fee's is because in my Top/Dragster days , we all went thru pistons at an alarming rate . They would have at your door in three days , but man you'd have to pay for them. Always left me feeling like I got ripped.

I tell my customers, when pressed on deadlines- you can have it repaired well, repaired fast, repaired cheap....pick two.

I think the absolute best and worst thing to come along is texting. People usually say what they have to say , short and sweet which is good . It's bad when I'm the only one working while I pay everyone else to fight with their girlfriend / wife . All you MF's go put that junk in your car and get to work . Now there just more sneaky about it. Course it's pretty easy to tell , one minute their happy , joyous and free , next minute a raging idiot .. you tell me

Last thing I want is for them touching my machines or your parts .. come back when your ready to work ..!
Doesn't happen often , but when it does it ruin's everyone's productivity .

The only person in my shop that has a cellphone in his pocket is me...anybody else working in here leaves it in their car outside. Emergency at home? They have our number...I'm seeing more of this at some of our customers' shops we do work for...they're tired of it too.

[WillySteve]

Follow-up!
Today I did receive my 260 block from Ron!
I have to say his work is excellent. The sleeve and porting looks very nice and it couldn't have been repaired any better by anyone!
NOW, if he'll just get someone in there to take care of his PR work, phone calls and emails, where people would not feel that they are left hanging I believe he'll do just fine!
I see where several of you say you answer your phone recordings, which I do myself, however during these last few Months I did notice on 3 occasions his mailbox was full and not taking calls! This certainly tells you that the calls were not being returned in a timely manner!
Then after the 1st 5-weeks went by and my not being able to reach him at all, I as most anyone using a new shop began to have my doubts and it shotgunned from there!
As we've all stated, customer relations is a huge part of any business, specialized or not!
I certainly could have used a little CR in this ordeal....had I had more I wouldn't have been on such a hair trigger when the last 2 phone calls, (plus 2 emails), which were simply asking for a tracking number on my mota, were unresponsive!
Would I use Ron again.....Yes, I certainly will but I won't expect to hear from him in any way shape or form until the work is done and I certainly wouldn't expect to see a tracking number on my stuff!
The work's great, I'm back happy....Thank You Ron!!!
Cheers

[specboatops]

Glad to see you're happy, that's all that matters.

[WillySteve]

Before and After!

[Chaz]

The only person in my shop that has a cellphone in his pocket is me...anybody else working in here leaves it in their car outside. Emergency at home? They have our number...I'm seeing more of this at some of our customers' shops we do work for...they're tired of it too.

It's like an epidemic ....

And shouldn't even be an issue. I've had guys say , well if you can talk and text , why cant we ?
Well , I could go watch cartoons too if I want . Then nothing would get done.
It seem's no mater how much you pay em , give em a bonus , it doesn't matter . Employees will only give you just so much of "their time" and effort .


Willie , that block looks really good ... and ya had some pen pal's to keep ya company over here ...

[Dave Strong]

Cell phones can be a pain, we are a 2 man show and my boss is always saying your phones ringing. I say if it's important they know to call the shop phone otherwise it can wait till coffee or lunch time.
The worst is when you are trying to talk to a customer about his boat and he is texting away while you are trying to explain what was done or give them instructions on some thing.

Dave

[WillySteve]

It's like an epidemic ....

And shouldn't even be an issue. I've had guys say , well if you can talk and text , why cant we ?
Well , I could go watch cartoons too if I want . Then nothing would get done.
It seem's no mater how much you pay em , give em a bonus , it doesn't matter . Employees will only give you just so much of "their time" and effort .


Willie , that block looks really good ... and ya had some pen pal's to keep ya company over here ...

Thanks Chaz.....AND on that cell phone business, an employers worst mistake is making too good of friends with his employees!!!!!!
When you do, they always end up feeling like they're on the same level as the bossman and that's where the trouble begins! Your employees should get paid for doing what they do on your time and nothing more...if they don't produce then mov'em on down the line!
When they become good friends it becomes harder for you to give them the orders that need to be accomplished.....ABOVE all, never let them feel like they're on the same level as you and never let them feel like they can't be replaced if they don't do their job!!
Best to jus tell'em up front to clear the air:
"THIS is your job buddy....Mine, (the bossman's), is making sure everything is done right and on time, Paying all the bills plus YOU, Paying the Taxes, Ordering the materials and parts, Keeping the tools and machinery working properly, Keeping up with the changes in Machinery, Materials and Tolerances in new materials, Teaching employees exactly how YOU want something done and dealing with the employees who don't put the time in they're being paid for.......If this don't suit you then go buy your own business and then you can deal with pricks like yourself!!!"
Jus my .02!!!

[olboatman]

Alot of good points you make here- some I have to comment on:



The only person in my shop that has a cellphone in his pocket is me...anybody else working in here leaves it in their car outside. Emergency at home? They have our number...I'm seeing more of this at some of our customers' shops we do work for...they're tired of it too.

Same with my construction co. I have the ONLY phone on the job and in an emergency their familys can call me (once in 35yrs!) We work at 2 universitys and build custom homes and distractions =extra time and call backs and at 62 I have ZERO tolerance for both! I also pay my guys way
more than the main stream does so I have no complaints. Gary