So as a follow-up to my review... On March 24 I actually spoke to the owner on the phone. I caught him up verbally on the phone about the text messages (recap) and truck down again/towed home. He told me he had 2 more cars in the shop ahead of me that should be out by Friday. He said to bring my truck to him on Friday (March 26) - I reminded him it won't go - he said text him the address he would arrange for his driver to tow it on Friday and he would need 2 to 3 days to put the engine in. I texted him on Thursday night and reminded him he said 2 to 3 days (So I honestly figured no earlier than Friday, April 2 based on previous times- his date range never matched). He then replied he said no it would take longer; that he said 2 - 3 days if he wasn't busy. He reminded me it was only him, the mechanic left him and he had a broken hand. I reminded him of the previous conversations that is not what he said. After 2 months of this situation, I told him I had tried to be understanding, missed work because of this, he never gave me a loaner car (2 x he said he would) as he said, my steering column still apart no key remote to truck still, truck not running without engine power shut down. I was finished, I said the truck was fixed next week, we could go to court, or he could give me a refund and I would go somewhere else. He has not called me, texted, or came for the truck or anything. I tried to call again - no pickup. My truck did better before he got it than after. Now I am out of a vehicle totally.
I really thought this was going to be a great experience. He was a nice man. It even started off decent; but when the engine he put in did not operate as thought ( he tried a couple of things that didn't work), he has left me high and dry. So much in expense trying to get to work, borrowing a vehicle when I could, missing work, tows, etc.
After research with other mechanics, they said he may have not done all that he said, the computer may not have been new, the cats should have been replaced to match the engine (they weren't), etc. Unfortunately, it is throwing codes that could be about 25 different things plus a piston that knocks loud (I do have videos of all of this, copies of texts and emails).
At this time, I would recommend not using this facility or you may get what I got - no running vehicle, and what money you did have is tied up in this non-running vehicle. My lawyer will be reaching out this week, but in the end that doesn't even help in the meantime, unfortunately. read more