Silver Dollar Customs

The van was brought into our shop to have the choke on the carburetor and an exhaust leak fixed. At the time the van was dropped off, the customer was informed our hourly labor rate is $100.00. This rate is also posted on our building.

Our mechanic inspected the van and found numerous leaks including the water pump, valve cover gaskets and front seal. It was also noted that the front brake lines were not routed correctly and there were overheating issues. While the van was on the lift and before making any repairs, we called the customers to come into the shop and see these issues for themselves and discuss what repairs they wanted made. Mr. requested that we reroute the brake lines to the proper location, replace the water pump, valve cover gaskets and the front seal. Also, due to overheating issues, Mr. requested that we install an electric fan and fan controller. He also requested that we charge the a/c.

We began repairs and due to age and corrosion, one of the bolts on the water pump was seized up in the timing cover and the head of the bolt broke off while our mechanic was removing it. This bolt seemed to be an original bolt (44 years old). In order to continue removing the water pump, we would need to remove the grill, radiator and a/c condenser to gain access and drill out the old bolt. This would require an additional three hours of labor.

It was also noted by our mechanic that there was a leak in the oil pan gasket and oil sending unit which would require pulling the engine to repair, but since Mr. had previously stated he planned on replacing the engine with a new 408 Stroker (himself) very soon, we figured he would want to skip these repairs. However, we still wanted to mention the leaks to him and make sure. We contacted Mr. by telephone to go over the additional findings/repairs. Mr. was extremely angry and was screaming and cussing profusely. After several minutes of listening to him scream and cuss, we politely advised him that he could pick up the van if he did not want us to proceed with any repairs. A few minutes later Mr. and Mrs. arrived at our shop at which time Mr. continued to scream and cuss at myself and my employees. He stated that he did not want any repairs made and wanted us to put the van back together and he would come pick it up.

The next day, Mrs. came to my shop and apologized for her husband’s behavior. She stated that she was very embarrassed and that her husband has anger problems and is under a lot of stress due to a death in the family. She stated that she wanted us to go ahead and proceed with repairs to the van and again apologized. She advised us to only deal with her going forward. She also stated that her husband wanted back all used parts including nuts and bolts at the time of job completion, to which I agreed.

After going over the carburetor we informed Mrs. that there was not an electric choke available for their model carburetor and that the carburetor is on the verge of needing to be replaced. Due to cost, she did not want to change out the carburetor, so we just adjusted it. She stated that this is all they wanted as they planned on replacing it at a later date. If stall issues are reoccurring, the carburetor should be replaced as previously discussed.

I also informed her that the right side exhaust manifold needed to be replaced and that I would be willing to pay for parts and labor if it was outside of their budget for the simple fact that I knew it was the culprit of the exhaust issue and without fixing it, the issue at hand would not be resolved. She stated she would pay for the exhaust manifold and would accept the free labor on installing it.

Regarding the placement of the electric fan controller: The controller was mounted next to the radiator on the core support with a 1/2-inch self-tapping screw. This in no way damaged the body of the van or decreased its value.

The following repairs were made for $1300.00 (parts and labor)

Re-route brake linesAdjust CarburetorReplace water pumpReplace Valve Cover Gasket Replace Timing Cover Gasket/Front SealReplace Oil Pressure SwitchInstall Electric Fan and Fan ControllerWeld exhaustReplace Right Side Exhaust ManifoldCharge A/C Topped off with fluids When repairs were completed, the customers picked up the van and left. A short time later I received a phone call that a wheel had fallen off the van within two blocks of my shop because our mechanic had forgotten to tighten the lug nuts on the wheel. This is 100 percent our fault and I am deeply sorry for this oversight. I immediately sent the mechanic down the street to where the van/customers were. He put the wheel back on with different lug nuts. At this time, the rim was not damaged- only the rotor. The mechanic asked the customers to follow him to the shop so that he could replace the rotor. The customers agreed but never came to the shop.

I personally called Mrs. and spoke with her and sincerely apologized for our mistake and told her that I would make the repairs or if she wasn't comfortable, I would buy a new rotor and deliver it to her. She stated that she would like to pick up the rotor once we ordered it. When she arrived to pick up the part, I was not at the shop, so I called her to make sure she was satisfied. She stated she was and hung up and I have not heard back from her since. We value our customers and their satisfaction, and I am deeply sorry that this oversight took place. I am still willing to install the rotor if it has not already been installed.