All I got was a custom con-job...

I have read/heard of several guys who have been given delay tactics on custom engine work---with lots of it ending up as bad product.

Nine months after I dropped my engines off to a couple of guys in North Carolina 1.5 years ago about 900 miles from where I live (bad mistake). I finally had to go rescue my engines when the B.S. became unbearable. Heck, the engines didn't even make it in the boat before I began to notice things wrong. It's a good thing I didn't install them in the boat because as we took them apart it got worse, and worse---they were a major disaster. Wrong size head gaskets---just all kinds of stuff wrong, and things I paid for that I did not get. I chose to ignor the red flag warnings in the beginning---so if you're wise stay well clear from Jack Bailey. Jack, and his son "T.J" are in the Charlotte, NC. area-----real smooooooth talkers. In the past Jack has even changed his name ("Bobby Daniels") on this website to keep people from knowing who he truely was, and will decieve you to get you to bring your engines or parts to his shop, and then he will pull you into his intricate web, turn it into a convoluted mess, and then pull the rug out from under you. Jack, and TJ even told me that Jack worked for Hendrick's Motorsports.

No reciepts
No paper work of what was done or supposedly done
No spec sheets
No dyno sheets
Poor communication on their part
Poor machine work, and workmanship
Used parts not returned: 2 cams, 2-sets of Crane gold roller rockers, 2-sets of 4.500" pistons, flywheel, Fluid Damper

One thing is for sure---those boys are sure good with the smooth talk---- They have that down real good!!!

Unless you absolutely KNOW FOR SURE who it is you are dealing with, it is best to stay local with a reputable engine builder, ask around about the shop you intend to do possibly do business with, and where you can walk in and see your stuff and how it is coming along. Hope this helps someone out there.

I'm sorry for you,
That is so wrong and so unnessessary

Well, I can certainly tell you this, the good thing is that at least my engines are in my possession.

Old news---maybe so, however there are times when other guys have warned others here on OSO about people who have ripped them off in the past as well in other threads. I don't believe I have seen you taking your pleasure in ripping into them over it. I guess my situation must be a special assignment for you.

Almost makes me wonder if you just might be a friend of Jack Bailey. (???)

I'll tell you one thing Marks motors were done as soon as all the parts he wanted on them were here. Wesco turned mine around in less than a month....

I wouldn't stop posting what a con-man Ol jack Bailey is,sound like a pos loser who takes peoples money.Keep warning people kaama so no one else gets the screws put to them. Maybe one of these guys who hides behind a anonomous name IS Jack Bailey,Smitty

Well lchornet, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I can't let you scoot out of this one this time.

In one thread you were attempting to make a joke out of my decission to use crank triggers on my engines. Even though I didn't think you deserved an answer from me by the way you were asking, I gave you a straight answer as decently as I could. If you want to offer friendly advice---that's fine and I thought it may have been a fair question---but it was the way in which you asked it. Perhpas the crank triggers weren't totally necessary, maybe even a bit overkill...so what?---works for me! This is just a hobby to me---I try to have a little fun with it---nothin' for you to get your undies in a bunch over. So, I wouldn't worry about the crank triggers too much if I were you. Trust me, 100 years from now it won't be an issue. Sorry I didn't consult you before I bought them, but tell you what----next time I want to add a part to my engines, then perhaps I should ask for your expertise. I have noticed that you've been a member here since January of this year, coming on here and arrogantly ripping into a few people when it isn't totally necessary--- doesn't do the board any good. So, now I've got a question for you. TMP I know, JCPERF I know, Jassman I know,----but who are YOU???

By the way, I see that you are from the Lake Luzern/Lake George area---I know of a guy from that area. As matter of fact, I have reviewed some of your past posts in other threads and see that you have mentioned (joked) something about being bald headed, and that you own a single engine Formula with a 502 that has been modified to a 509 that makes something like 600+ hp. Funny-----you know that's really strange/ironic cuz I just happen to know of a guy from your area with the same characteristics as you and it just doesn't pass the smell test. His name is Doug aka "Zone5" head moderator on BoatFreaks---of whom I think Jack Bailey and T.J. Bailey are the owners. I don't think Doug would be that foolish to hide under another screenname on here so, I certainly could be wrong, but "I have to ask you" that wouldn't be you now would it Doug ol' boy???

Lchornet,
Perhaps I could shed some light on this topic having supplied the cylinder heads and camshafts for Kaama’s engines. First, it was a pleasure to collaborate with both Dave Wesseldyke (Wesco) and Jim Valako on this project. Both are first class professionals and all goods and services were completed on time and to spec. For my part the AFR heads were custom pieces and took 9 weeks to deliver, also on time in the schedule of this build. The 9-month figure quoted here is misleading. Speaking directly with both Dave and Jim during the course of the build (Nov-May) there was never any sense of urgency due to the fact that there is very little need for marine engines in February in the State of Michigan. From the onset the timeline for completion was this boating season. Had there been a need, the timeframe for completion could have and would have been compressed appropriately to meet any necessary deadline. Point being that through the significant efforts put forth on Marks behalf toward this reconstruction project by Dave W. and Jim V., all of Kaama’s expectations were met or exceeded on all counts in a timely, professional manner. Any comparisons to these gentlemen with Kaama’s previous experiences in North Carolina are simply wrong and deserve correction.
Regards,
Robert Madara

lchornet,

Again, this is just a hobby to me. I am glad that I am blessed enough to be able to afford it to a certain degree and I like coming on here, and right or wrong I choose to volunteer some of my experiences that might be helpful to someone, and perhaps help them save a buck-----even warn them about some who ripped me off. I don't mind being corrected or questioned---but keep in mind that I am not trying to sell anything on here. The way you question, and comment on here are suspect to me. It almost seems like you enjoy going around on here carrying a hammer in your hand, and have a chip on your shoulder---besides not owning up to who you are. That's why I question your motives. Tell you what---BoatFreaks could probably use a guy like you over on its website.

Besides what "rmbuilder" has posted, maybe there were some other things like my family or even some medical issues I had to deal with---perhaps I had some other financial commitments that required my attention. I can tell you that my hobby certainly doesn't pay my monthly house bills or put food on the table. Or it could even be that Jack Bailey aka "Budah" aka "Bobby Daniels" (and who knows what other names he goes under or has gone under) ripped me off to where it cost me THOUSANDS of $$$----of which Jack Bailey got a portion of, and then also having to turn around to pay another shop to correct all of his foolishness, and deceptions when the engines were in his posession.

Anyway lc, I am certainly glad we got that cleared up! I hope you're satisfied----now you can go around with a BIG STAR on your forehead cuz you got to the bottom of your question.

I agree with Kaama in his assessment of the guys in N.C. While I wasn't jerked around as much as Kaama, my dealings with them were less than satisfactory. No bill of sale on an almost 6000.00 purchase, way late delivery to the point I started to think I had been ripped off, solid roller valvesprings on one head when I asked for hydraulic. From now on, I will use people within resonable driving distance so I can keep tabs on things or use national people with outstanding reputations. There is a lot of money involved in our hobby and it seems to attract a lot of con men.

KAAMA may have mentioned this and I might have missed it. His engines were completed within 6 weeks of being dropped off at the michigan engine shop. It was KAAMA's decision to replace the cylinder heads and camshafts after the engines were completely assembled by Wes Co and ready for dyno runs. At that point rmbuilder and KAAMA, along with JimV and Wes Co, began the process of selecting cams and heads.
Some people on this board are still waiting for their engines from Bruce Dudley.