Engine run with no front galley plugs installed

[MadBill]

If the thread's even short enough to let if fall out before it bottoms on the gear...

[BigBlocksOnTop2]

Get the oil filter from the dude. Have the oil tested for ZDDP and enough for a solid cam. You may catch him in a lie.

[The Radius Kid]

i would think if they unscrewed they would take out the cam gear or at least damage it.

Ssh.Don't give the other guy any ideas.

[JoePorting]

Forget all the details. Just tell his attorney to set a small claims court date and let the judge decide. The attorney is probably a bluff. If you do go to court, he has to prove it's your fault and I don't know how he's going to do that. But it is true small claims court is very unpredictable. Anything can happen based on the judge. But I still think you would have a 60% chance of winning.

[Biteme]

Let me guess, the lawyers name is "Slippin Jimmy"?

[77cruiser]

Don't let Judge Judy do it as she doesn't like old cars too much. Good luck to you whatever you choose!!

[Belgian1979]

Forget all the details. Just tell his attorney to set a small claims court date and let the judge decide. The attorney is probably a bluff. If you do go to court, he has to prove it's your fault and I don't know how he's going to do that. But it is true small claims court is very unpredictable. Anything can happen based on the judge. But I still think you would have a 60% chance of winning.

Don't count on it. Lawyers always make money on these things.

[Zmechanic]

I'm no attorney, but I've seen cases like this thrown out because the buyer/plaintiff refused to let the seller/defendant even look at or try to fix what was wrong as yours did.

Personally I agree with that, if you make a mistake, it's only right you get a chance to fix it. But obviously it's the judge who decides not me...

[machinedave]

I had something like this happen almost 20 years ago. The shop we did some work for removed the heads and sent us a bill for $850 for their labor to remove the heads and for a competitors machine shop to fix them. We said "no way are we paying for that. See you in court". We never heard from them again.

[rebelrouser]

Been fixing cars for 40 years, been to court twice won both times. For what it is worth this is my advice. As some said might be cheaper to pay and move on. But if you just think right is right, documentation is every thing, and a lawyer will most likely cost this guy more than he will get from you, so it may end up small claims court. If you wind up in small claims court don't go alone, take a professional witness with you to back up your story. Judges are not very mechanical minded, but the weight of two professionals telling him the same thing is your only chance of winning. First he did not give you the chance to make it right, second you told him no warranty, which I hope you have in writing. I teach engines at a technical college, when they leave the plugs out they don't have any oil pressure, I go through that at least once a semester. Most of the time it is a SBC, and they don't stake the plugs, you can hear them pop out when you run the drill. I have been hired as a professional witness several times, if you get someone to testify for you the more titles and certifications they have the better.

[Racerrick]

the motor would have had zero oil pressure at idle and the lifters noise would have been extremely loud.