ok so i had picked up and installed my engine. we assumed we had everything going good accept during the initial test drive we noticed it overheated pretty bad. so i got a new waterpump and thermostat that didnt help. water was flowing fine and coolant was flowing fine. the guy that built the engine said the timing must have been way off. but if the timing was way off wouldnt the car not run right instead of run fine but overheat? well after about 20 miles the engine overheated bad enough to blow the headgasket. we took it back to the shop and now he says he wont even warranty his work even though neither of us now why it went in the first place. one of the pistons is discolored and there is aluminum deposits onthe cyclider walls. he says the block is trashed and i need a new one but i cant afford to get a new block and pay for the labor. what do you think i should do? my wife is telling me to take him to court

 

Do what the wife tells you my wife told me to tell you that. Sounds like he built you a crap motor.

 

Most warrenties for engines are voided if they have been overheated.... I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case. As for the over-heating, the timing can cause it, the front air dam, or possibly the cam wasn't degreed. The last is pretty unlikely.

A small piece of advise.... invest in a temp gauge. I had overheating problems on my ride for a couple weeks before I pinned it down. I never blew a head gasket or anything.

 

Was only one cylinder messed up? Metal transfer takes some sever heat and/or to tight piston to cylinder wall clearances. You should have the radiator boiled to ensure it is clean. One thing that can slip by unnoticed is the upper radiator hose collapsing. I had an old 70 Impala that would get hot only if I drove it. After checking everything twice I reved it up while the hood was up and noticed the top hose sucked together. It needed a new hose and some even have a spring inside them. If the block was fresh you may be able to hone the aluminum out. If there is scoring of the block itself you may still be able to hone it. If the engine is all apart check all the oil passages to since a lack of oil can cause your problems to.

Before you go to court you need to be sure you can prove you are right. Get a 2nd mechanic to find the problem without telling him of what is going on. You need him to be honest with the diagnosis.

 

Does you car have the air divert er on the bottom ?
Like said above about the upper rad hose. I pretty much replaced my whole cooling system before i revved the engine while i was standing there and seen that hose sucks tighter then a prisoners butt hole when bubba is around.

Another cause for overheating which you cannot control would be the tolerances might have been to close, or something over torqued.
If your cooling system is good

Id be harassing this guy till he fixes it. Would **** me off is some fool just put me together an engine, i fire it up, just to overheat.