I ask because I've never had anyone else rebuild my engines for me. Jim Burek has had all of my engine parts since May 8th 2009 and still is not done with the rebuild (mild 430 build). I talked to him in July and at that time he said he was almost done and to send him the finished carburator. I did that but then he had the family issues in mid August. Since about November - Early December I have not been able to contact him. Dose anyone know what is going on with him? I chose him because of his excellent reputation. Can anyone with access to his ear let him know that I really need this engine done before the end of January because I think I'm moving and need to be able to move my GS out of the garage. I refuse to tow it all the way to Montana because of no engine. I don't want to upset him because I realize he has been through some bad family stuff in August or seem ungrateful, but I really need this engine and I'm concerned about my deadline. I never thought it would take over 9 months to rebuild an engine... Cheers,
Whaaat?? I thought Jim had an awesome rep here. (I know we all say this) Maybe somethings up in his life????? (NOT an excuse BTW). Just sayin'o No:
If all the parts are there and the shop has the right equipment it should only take a week TOPS to build a motor........IMHO Peace WildBill
Jim Burek has an awesome reputation and is well respected. Which is why I am concerned about him. Is he going out of business? Is he having more family trouble? I don't know. I was hoping someone on this thread would know. Yes Wildbill, he had all the parts necessary to do the rebuild. He was doing some headwork as well and putting in some stage one valves. Even so 9 months in my opinion is not acceptable.
One of our overseas members had the same problem, but I don't remember hearing about a resolution. Devon
Try over 7 years. The reason he has an excellent reputation is because in the past here people would come to his defense and say what all he did great for them. I just want my money back. I sent 1/2 of the parts for the build, about all of the money and all I got was my parts back(which I am grateful for). The right thing to do would be CALL ME, not me have to hunt him down all of the time and work out an arrangement to give me my 7k back. Yeah, Im a little pissed............ BTW, I read the thread title and knew who you were talking about even before I read your post. I hope your deal works out.
There are a few listings for James Burek at whitepages.com., if that helps any. I always check whitepages.com whenever I do out-of-town business transactions over the internet.
Bought my '53 in June - sent for some Kantor engine suspension parts and full engine gasket set - arrived like Mid-July. Took the car to my mechanic around Labor day weekend. Told him I wanted his "cheep" hourly rates, left the car and parts - expecting mid-October to Nov 1 at the latest. I then left in mid-October for almost a month in Canada to visit my girlfriend's twin brother in Saskatoon. Nice trip - back in 2nd week of Nov. Stopped in the garage a few days later, mechanic says "almost done". The car was still parked WHERE I LEFT IT. Oh No I thought to myself. I thought that was a little longer than he SHOULD have taken. What he didn't say was that he had taken the engine and tranny out of the car, did all the rebuild work, rings, new plugs, compression checks (written down) and had painted the tranny oange, and the engine in that Seafoam Green, and put them both back in the car. Then after I left that day he quick put it up on the 2nd lift where he discovered Kantor sent the wrong king pins and sway bar bushings . He got them ordered, same day delivery (for less than Kantor's regular price) and called me the next afternoon to go get my baby. Surprise. The labor wasn't as cheep as I would have liked (I'm sorta cheap) but he also did a lot more than we had originally discussed. She leaked some tranny fluid when I got it home. Still does, and the idle won't keep her running in the COLD. But I was pleased. He's got a standing offer to make the idle and fluid leak right - I just been waiting to give it to him when the new garage gets built - so the Buick is out of the way for a week. Your mechanic needs a consultation about YOUR expectations. Don't insult him, just make sure next time (and this time now) you get the dates organized better. After all - he's NOT paying YOU. Rip Rohring :dollar: :Comp:
We did talk about dates. He said early August it should be done. I also took great pains not to insult him in any in of my posts. I have been bending over backwards to give him the benefit of the doubt. So the dates could have been a little firmer, but still. I'm hoping for the best. Cheers,
I was told about 9 months for my build because we were waiting for the Bulldog heads :spank: I gave up after about 10 months and said lets go w/ the TA's. We agreed. Every time I called he tried to get me to pay a little more on it. I told him it was just about paid in full. (probably 90% paid)Then I was given the run around for about 4 years that "yours is next". After about 4 years of hearing that I gave up, requested my money back and wanted my parts back. I got my parts back. I have to assume I helped fund the Bulldog Bullcrap and my money is probably gone. And while I was being put off, I know of at least 4 people I know really well on here get their stuff built, no problems. Difference in me and them. I front loaded my money. There was very little incentive for him to get mine done. Everyone else(the smart ones) paid a deposit to get theirs going and paid a balance once completed. Mine never even got started. No machine work...... nothing....... I still want my money back and deserve it. I would be willing to take a portion of it back at this point!
