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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: san rafael california
Posts: 202
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Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
I recently took my truck in to my local mechanic to deal with a timing issue, they fixed the timing issues but also recommended i change my spark plug wires. i agreed, but now that i am seeing the newly installed wires I'm wondering if they did a terrible job. the wires are way longer than need be, and floppily all over the place. i expected them to look more professional, and organized. one wire was even resting on the exhaust manifold and was badly burned. il post pictures.
What would you fellas do if this was your truck? should i bring it up and ask them to put my old wires back, and do it myself? Or did they do an okay job, and I'm fretting over nothing...? all opinions are appreciated, thanks!! |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,963
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
mech should replace the burned one - and, yes, that's an indication of a shoddy job. I wouldn't be too concerned with the length as long as they're properly routed and not lying on hot stuff (anymore). It's perhaps an indication they are a pre-cut/fitted boot type and he didn't install the ends (i.e. didn't have to). Based on the burnt wire, that might be a good thing.
By the way, the passenger side ones lying on the heater hose are not ok. Personally, I'd go show him the burnt one, tell him you want the old ones back on - then go buy your own and install them. Probably won't work, but, at least you will get his attention and maybe he'll redo it a little more professionally. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: bisbee, arizona
Posts: 1,529
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
generic one size fits all ignition solution/ did you give them the ok to just instlal them or to custom fit them to your trucks specific application. and are you willing to pay thier rate per hour to have it done right. its a simple enough job to do your self espcially if your OCD about under hood appearance
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Williston, ND
Posts: 2,999
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
I think it looks like crap. If I was paying someone to do wires, I would expect them to be on wire looms that keep them from touching anything hot and routed nicely
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68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets 68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction 69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction 70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach 70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks 70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR 71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto 71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s 71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt 72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi 72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi |
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#5 |
Go Pack Go!
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Green Bay
Posts: 2,669
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Unsatisfactory work. Personally, I check their work before leaving any shop after they did any work and point out unacceptable work. Take it back and demand a new set of custom installed wires installed by a mechanic other than the one you lost trust in. You could have bought some cheap ready made wires and done better yourself.
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,230
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Wrong wires.
I'm no expert, but seems you need some wire retainers on those valve covers. That's not necessarily on them.
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Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 Last edited by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402; 10-02-2015 at 12:33 AM. |
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#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 2,188
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Quote:
My automotive service management class taught that when people have complaints, many don't bring up their concerns with the shop, but rather just go elsewhere. ALWAYS hold businesses accountable for service provided. Negative feedback has the potential to improve technicians' skills. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: san rafael california
Posts: 202
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Thanks guys, actually some good news, i haven't payed yet, does that make my position any better? obviously i want to be decent to the guy if he is the same to me, but should i try to ask him to put my old ones back and do it myself? or just pay for the wires and go to a better shop
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#9 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: portland oregon
Posts: 156
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Seriously? There's nothing to debate here. That's not even shoddy wiring, that's junk tossed under the hood that won't work, doesn't work. I wouldn't be be less than pissed; and you should at the very least receive a full refund, if not funds to repair whatever else they messed up.
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#10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Me i'd worry alot more about that shoddy rubber fuel line than the wires
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#11 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Washington,Il
Posts: 632
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Aren't plug wires supposed to run underneath the rams horn exhaust manifolds? looks like a hurried job to me.
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It builds on my intelligence when I make a mistake, Boy am I building on it! '67 C-10,'70 Nova SS ![]() |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 12,201
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
1. ditto on the fuel line, that could be a dangerous situation.
2. he probably already tossed your old wires 3. did you give him specifics on the install? It would have cost you more to route them as the original were, I assume that your old wires weren't run that way either though. Ramhorns should be routed under but that is a lot more labor than you might want to pay. 4. personnaly, I'd never pay a mech to install wires. However, if they are functional then he did his job, even if it wasn't the cleanest. I'd buy a basic set of these and install them myself, pretty easy just remove one valve cover bolt at a time. If any wires are too long then you can shorten them and reattach the boots yourself. Just don't remove more than one wire at a time. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/3814030...chn=ps&lpid=82
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The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" |
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2014
Location: PA
Posts: 1,417
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
That looks like it was done by their oil change guy LOL
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1967 C10, LWB, 250, Powerglide, PS, PB, 3/4 STATIC DROP |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Murray, Kentucky
Posts: 3,479
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
You can't pay someone to love your truck like you do...
That looks like typical "paid by the hour" work to me. Good luck, Rg
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Spanish Fork Ut
Posts: 370
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
That is exactly right on the spot! Unless you go to a shop that is all about working on classic vehicles, you'll never get the professionalism and care that only you can give.
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" Dead Pumpkin" 67 Chevy short bed, 292 I6, 4spd manual. Fan of the "Slant Noses". ![]() 93' Toyota pickup 2WD 2dr and 32mpg. Daily driver. 300k+ Members I've met... Mister-B |
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#16 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Mesa AZ (Near Phoenix)
Posts: 2,302
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Quote:
"you took your truck to them". You asked them to do work that either you were unable to do or unwilling to do. when they asked if you wanted new wires you said yes. You didn't ask if they were custom fitted wires. Those are one size fits all and take 5 to 10 minutes to install. Custom fitted wires took me hours last week and were a pain in the but. "You have to decide what you want up front. Communicate that to them. Agree to pay the freight to get what you want". Or simply do it yourself.
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"Life is too short to drive a boring vehicle". Later, Wayne ![]() |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: san rafael california
Posts: 202
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
yes true, i took it too them, however the job i did was similar to the one they did, and i had cut my wires to at least fit right, so i assumed when he brought it up that they would do a professional looking job, as they are professionals. he also said he wanted to charge 200$ (2hours) of labor for this job, which make me think they would be doing it right. anyone here could do the job they did in a realistic 10 minutes.
as for my fuel line, what should i be using...? thanks for your opinion, i do agree i didn't handle it very well when telling them what i wanted to be done. |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Carlsbad, California
Posts: 165
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Good work takes time to do. I don't think you got your 2 hours worth. Wires should not touch anything but insulated clips. I would ask the mechanic to replace the damaged wire and secure the wires to not flop around.
I spent around 4 hours installing mine. They were secured by bolt on insulated trays down both sides of the valve covers and individual clips where needed. The wires were shortened appropriately to make things tidy. Mine is not an original restoration, so I could do what I wanted to get the job done. Fuel lines are the same, no rubbing, no flopping, no hot. Keep them secure, cool and well clamped at the fittings. Russ
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RC |
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#19 | |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Tucson
Posts: 2,183
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Quote:
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: winnipeg
Posts: 1,107
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
I'll give you the best advice I can offer,if your going to be in the classic vehicle hobby get yourself to a point where you don't have to rely on mechanics to do the less complicated things. These vehicles are far beyond the knowledge base of today's tech who's main tool is a diagnostic computer. Although simplistic in nature it's like handing an 8 track player to a 16 year old lol. They simply haven't learned how old stuff works. Around here you can count shops on two fingers that even know what a carb is and they still won't touch them.
Last edited by trac209; 10-02-2015 at 01:33 PM. |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Tucson AZ by way of WI & CA
Posts: 509
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Maybe a day late, but i am going to offer my 2 cents. First off, what did it look like before they replaced the wires? Sometimes, work is done compared to the original work. Second, you took it to a shop to fix a timing issue, why, and what was the issue? Third, why did you choose this garage? I see that you have a few posts on this forum, not sure in what capacity, but lots of helpful people here, and it costs nothing but the time to ask and respond. Not trying to call you out, and you don't need to answer the questions if you don't want to. Although it seems like you value this boards advice, so we can help. Personally, i would chalk it up to a lesson learned, and point this out to the owner, maybe have you credit some work in the future, then go out and buy a good set of cut to fit wires, and replace the fuel line in the process. After you finish the work, then maybe stop back at the garage and show them what you expected as a customer. I have found that sometimes, its better to take the lump then fight the system, cause you never know when you might need them later.
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#22 | |
Cluster King
![]() Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Junction City, OR
Posts: 5,263
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
Quote:
My advise is to buy a set of Taylor 7 mm wires and a terminal crimping tool and make your own wires, not before doing the research it takes to route them they way they should be with the correct plug wire retainers. Good luck, Tom
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Contact me on all of your gauge cluster needs. I specialize in restoration, repair and parts sales for 67-72 Chevy and GMC trucks. email me at tbonegarris@yahoo.com I am also a dealer for Counterpart for gauge cluster parts only. Also see my facebook page, CG&C |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: san rafael california
Posts: 202
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
i brought it in because i don't have a timing light, and have never used one and so i thought might as well take her in replace the distributor cap and get the timing right. as for what it looked like before, I had actually put the last set of wires in myself, cut them to the right length and then installed them similarly to how they did it, except my job looked quite a bit more tidy, and the only downside was they had to be kind of clamped back to fit the plugs tighter every tune up. i chose these guys because they are local, and the guy in the office is a good guy it seems. your right, i should have done this one myself, and having this forum is a huge reason why it would have been possible. thanks for the advice, and to you all for the help!
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#24 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
It is what you get most places if you just say replace the wires. That's what the parts guys will send and that's what the mechanic puts on. The job probably didn't come to him in factory looms under the manifolds, so unless there were others in use, he is going to put new plug wires in the same way. I do my own and to get ones that fit going over the top I get something like '75 Vette wires, IIRC. Those would have HEI, but the wires were run over the top like my truck.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 733
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Re: Should I be unhappy with this mechanics work?
x2 on what Tbone and others have said. Once you have made and installed your own set, you will never go back to pre cut wires. Buy a good crimping tool. Make 2 sets at a time and save the second for when you do your next tune up. No excuse for sloppy work...imho.
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Figure out what you want--then figure out what you are willing to give up to get it. |
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