Don't buy a motor from NAPA - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

junkyardpartseeker · 05-29-2003, 02:10 PM

I bought a motor from NAPA on March 27,2002 and had it professionally installed. This is what 14 months later and the heads are shot in it. I thought it was just needing a valve lash adjustment. Well, 1 week and the thing started it's clicking again. I took it to the shop that put it in for me and they found out the heads are shot and weren't correctly done when it was put on the motor. I called NAPA about the warranty and it will take a week or so to get some new heads here. I get a 1 year warranty with them, but the labor to put them on will cost me around $700. Hopefully next year at this time I won't be writting this same story. Just wish they would reemburse the labor I have to pay.

BigRed · 05-29-2003, 02:32 PM

Guess to keep the warranty valid, you have to have the heads professionally installed? If not, I'd do it myself for sure. How dows NAPA know if their professionally installed anyway?

junkyardpartseeker · 05-29-2003, 02:40 PM

The shop they sent me to last year and it's at now is NAPA certified. They send all their customers who get motors or need some sort of major engine work there. The initial warranty for the motor was 2 yrs on it and 1 yr on labor. I am past the labor warranty timeline. The new heads will be 1 year warranty on parts only. I am stuck with the labor bill.

**old Rusty C10** · 05-29-2003, 02:55 PM

try going above the store and go to corporate they may reimburse part of the install.... squeaky wheeels always get the grease

**swervin ervin** · 05-29-2003, 04:03 PM

Oh hell no.

They would give me the heads and I'd put them on myself. No way I would pay the shop 700 bucks to stick a set of heads on.

It sounds to me like they are reaming you a new one.

Tom · 05-29-2003, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Oh hell no.

They would give me the heads and I'd put them on myself. No way I would pay the shop 700 bucks to stick a set of heads on.

It sounds to me like they are reaming you a new one.

And then some. $700??? Thats a new set of vortecs, RPM intake, rockers, and valve covers. No way Id pay that much JUST TO PUT STOCK HEADS ON THE MOTOR!
It only takes a day to do it too.

Just another reason I dont buy built motors

78chevstepside · 05-29-2003, 04:25 PM

I have had bad luck with( nickel ads and auto stores) rebuilt motors( generally there warrantys arnt worth the paper there written on.) In fact i had to go to small claims court on my last one I purchased( i won more in damages then the cost of the motor). I have had better luck buying used motors that i could hear and see running before i bought. The current motor in my 78 I found a core and had a machine shop rebuild. This didnt fair much better.I installed and removed the motor 3 times( lifter didnt turn and a flattened cam ,another time my fault to long of bolt in intake). I must add that at least a machine shop would stand behind its work. And you can get exactly what you want.

jay thinkin you get what you pay for

junkyardpartseeker · 05-29-2003, 05:34 PM

swervin ervin: When you was helping me adjust the valve lash, this is the reason why it wouldn't adjust right. The heads were shot. Everyone else: If I was a mechanic and knew how to put them on and how to adjust them correctly, I would. I guess I should have become a mechanic instead of a over the road truck driver, probably would be making more money with the prices they charge me to fix this. Next will be to get my trans rebuilt. That price is around $1,000. Hopefully there won't be anything majorly worn in it.

79BIG10 · 05-29-2003, 07:25 PM

I agree that it sounds like they're reaming you a new one.

Ask them this: If it's NAPA's engine that failed then why should you be having to pay for their fauly workmanship? I would tell them to pay for the labor since you paid for install for the shop to install. It's not you're fault they failed it's the engine builder NAPA's fault.

LOHRTBT · 05-29-2003, 07:44 PM

yah...crate motors suck

chevy72402 · 05-29-2003, 08:46 PM

that is like 10 hours labor that they are charging you. I am a tech and trust me the 80 or 70 an hour you pay does NOT go to the tech. but they are taking you pretty bad........ it can't pay that much. I did a head on a exploder 4.0 and it only paid like 3.2 or something. I only did the one side but if I had done the other side I think it was like 5 hours total

phantom dually · 05-29-2003, 10:52 PM

You are getting HOSED bad. Ask a buddy to help you. It is not hard at all.

ol84 · 05-30-2003, 11:29 AM

For real, not that hard at all. If you dont have a buddy that can help, go buy a chiltons manual and follow the instructions..like painting by numbers..make sure you have a torque wrench. Also, $1000 for tranny work? Hell, I would just go buy a new tranny before I did that.

69Elky · 05-30-2003, 02:35 PM

what are they smokin in Ar i can get a full t350 rebuild shift kit torque converter,harden interns for $450:P

rockman20 · 05-30-2003, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 69Elky
what are they smokin in Ar i can get a full t350 rebuild shift kit torque converter,harden interns for $450:P

Where I am at in ND it cost me about 750 bucks for a complete rebuild on my TH350, shift kit, new (stock) converter and labor.

Tom · 05-30-2003, 03:48 PM

Dam. We can get rebuilt stock th350's for $350 around here!

I only paid about $1300 for a fully built, 2200rpm stall lockup convertor, 2004R.

scalawag · 06-01-2003, 07:38 AM

hell yea you gettin screwd, and then your asked to pay for it!

i know this sounds like over kill but, my brother bought an autozone special. took it apart and put alot of his own parts in. he said the heads werent done right. he took them back, they give him another set and paid him for the labor! dont ask me how he pulled that off. then again, my brother dont get screwd on no motor, by no one.

CustomChevy · 06-01-2003, 08:54 AM

if the new warranty is only for a 1yr without labor, forget it. put them on yourself. i would have a machine shop check them out BEFORE you put them on. Never know when you get hit again with crappy heads.

Screw the warranty, it's not worth the hassle anyway. It is very easy to learn to put the heads on. Get yourself some good head gaskets, don't go with super cheapos. Pick up a Small Block Chevy Rebuild book, there are many and you can get them at 1/2 price books. They are pretty detailed (some of them).

And just think, with the cash you save from having the fools at the shop put your heads on, you will be able to go ahead and get your tranny too...

Good luck!

05-29-2003, 02:10 PM	#1
junkyardpartseeker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mabelvale, AR Posts: 695	Don't buy a motor from NAPA I bought a motor from NAPA on March 27,2002 and had it professionally installed. This is what 14 months later and the heads are shot in it. I thought it was just needing a valve lash adjustment. Well, 1 week and the thing started it's clicking again. I took it to the shop that put it in for me and they found out the heads are shot and weren't correctly done when it was put on the motor. I called NAPA about the warranty and it will take a week or so to get some new heads here. I get a 1 year warranty with them, but the labor to put them on will cost me around $700. Hopefully next year at this time I won't be writting this same story. Just wish they would reemburse the labor I have to pay. __________________ junkyardpartseeker@sbcglobal.net

05-29-2003, 02:32 PM	#2
BigRed Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,680	Guess to keep the warranty valid, you have to have the heads professionally installed? If not, I'd do it myself for sure. How dows NAPA know if their professionally installed anyway? __________________ Scott Shelbourne

05-29-2003, 02:40 PM	#3
junkyardpartseeker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mabelvale, AR Posts: 695	heads answer The shop they sent me to last year and it's at now is NAPA certified. They send all their customers who get motors or need some sort of major engine work there. The initial warranty for the motor was 2 yrs on it and 1 yr on labor. I am past the labor warranty timeline. The new heads will be 1 year warranty on parts only. I am stuck with the labor bill. __________________ junkyardpartseeker@sbcglobal.net

05-29-2003, 02:55 PM	#4
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	try going above the store and go to corporate they may reimburse part of the install.... squeaky wheeels always get the grease __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

05-29-2003, 04:03 PM	#5
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Oh hell no. They would give me the heads and I'd put them on myself. No way I would pay the shop 700 bucks to stick a set of heads on. It sounds to me like they are reaming you a new one. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

05-29-2003, 04:25 PM	#7
78chevstepside Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: lacenter, washington Posts: 718	napa motors I have had bad luck with( nickel ads and auto stores) rebuilt motors( generally there warrantys arnt worth the paper there written on.) In fact i had to go to small claims court on my last one I purchased( i won more in damages then the cost of the motor). I have had better luck buying used motors that i could hear and see running before i bought. The current motor in my 78 I found a core and had a machine shop rebuild. This didnt fair much better.I installed and removed the motor 3 times( lifter didnt turn and a flattened cam ,another time my fault to long of bolt in intake). I must add that at least a machine shop would stand behind its work. And you can get exactly what you want. jay thinkin you get what you pay for

05-29-2003, 05:34 PM	#8
junkyardpartseeker Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mabelvale, AR Posts: 695	heads swervin ervin: When you was helping me adjust the valve lash, this is the reason why it wouldn't adjust right. The heads were shot. Everyone else: If I was a mechanic and knew how to put them on and how to adjust them correctly, I would. I guess I should have become a mechanic instead of a over the road truck driver, probably would be making more money with the prices they charge me to fix this. Next will be to get my trans rebuilt. That price is around $1,000. Hopefully there won't be anything majorly worn in it. __________________ junkyardpartseeker@sbcglobal.net

05-29-2003, 07:25 PM	#9
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	I agree that it sounds like they're reaming you a new one. Ask them this: If it's NAPA's engine that failed then why should you be having to pay for their fauly workmanship? I would tell them to pay for the labor since you paid for install for the shop to install. It's not you're fault they failed it's the engine builder NAPA's fault. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

05-29-2003, 07:44 PM	#10
LOHRTBT BeWarE tHe eViL CrAnkTOe! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Yukon, OK Posts: 3,605	yah...crate motors suck __________________ ~Dave~ You can call me Mike, Mike Oxlong - 1986 Chevy SWB - Stock for now - *1986 Chevy Custom SWB* *Stolen 6/26/05* - 1985 Chevy SWB SOLD - 1999 T/A Some mods www.cardomain.com/id/ramairdave AIM Screenname - Jester84

05-29-2003, 08:46 PM	#11
chevy72402 FARMER/RANCHER Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: SD Posts: 597	that is like 10 hours labor that they are charging you. I am a tech and trust me the 80 or 70 an hour you pay does NOT go to the tech. but they are taking you pretty bad........ it can't pay that much. I did a head on a exploder 4.0 and it only paid like 3.2 or something. I only did the one side but if I had done the other side I think it was like 5 hours total __________________ 1972 chevy super, long box, 402 big block (2,000 miles on rebuild) 2wd tach, tilt, tool box on bedside, a/c, sliding rear window, orange and white. 1972 Chevy Blazer 2wd, tach, tilt, a/c, my first engine overhauling experience, Orange, with white top 2006 Gmc Sierra, XM, Z-71, dark blue, onstar, leather, rear entertainment (audio only) heated seats, (the wife loves that feature) upgraded tires immediately after purchase to Goodyear Wrangler AT/S (hate those rock throwers that come from the factory) BWC

05-29-2003, 10:52 PM	#12
phantom dually Project92 SWB stepside Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 4,792	You are getting HOSED bad. Ask a buddy to help you. It is not hard at all. __________________ 92 C1500 stepside 496 Stroker Competiton Engineering Ladder bars/QA1 coilovers. Dana 60 rear with 4.10 gear and posi. Bonspeed Palisade 20x12 in rear w/335/30/20 and 20x8.5 front w/245/40/20. 5/8 drop with Belltech springs/DJM spindles/drop shocks. WWS Progress thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=140448

05-30-2003, 11:29 AM	#13
ol84 Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Montgomery, TX Posts: 190	For real, not that hard at all. If you dont have a buddy that can help, go buy a chiltons manual and follow the instructions..like painting by numbers..make sure you have a torque wrench. Also, $1000 for tranny work? Hell, I would just go buy a new tranny before I did that. __________________ 1984 C10 SWB Custom Frame Blow Through Carb Single Turbo Hope to be on the road by Summer 2018 1967 C10 CST LWB 327/PG Original Running Driving Future Project

05-30-2003, 02:35 PM	#14
69Elky Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 121	what are they smokin in Ar i can get a full t350 rebuild shift kit torque converter,harden interns for $450:P

05-30-2003, 03:48 PM	#16
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	Dam. We can get rebuilt stock th350's for $350 around here! I only paid about $1300 for a fully built, 2200rpm stall lockup convertor, 2004R. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

06-01-2003, 07:38 AM	#17
scalawag Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: caledonia ms Posts: 260	hell yea you gettin screwd, and then your asked to pay for it! i know this sounds like over kill but, my brother bought an autozone special. took it apart and put alot of his own parts in. he said the heads werent done right. he took them back, they give him another set and paid him for the labor! dont ask me how he pulled that off. then again, my brother dont get screwd on no motor, by no one.



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06-01-2003, 08:54 AM	#18
CustomChevy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 461	if the new warranty is only for a 1yr without labor, forget it. put them on yourself. i would have a machine shop check them out BEFORE you put them on. Never know when you get hit again with crappy heads. Screw the warranty, it's not worth the hassle anyway. It is very easy to learn to put the heads on. Get yourself some good head gaskets, don't go with super cheapos. Pick up a Small Block Chevy Rebuild book, there are many and you can get them at 1/2 price books. They are pretty detailed (some of them). And just think, with the cash you save from having the fools at the shop put your heads on, you will be able to go ahead and get your tranny too... Good luck! Last edited by CustomChevy; 06-01-2003 at 09:00 AM.

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