Mechanic issue--- hivemind help

used engines are a crap shoot.

eat the $1500 and move on.

Thanks for the advice guys! He's still weighing his options, the input is appreciated.

You didn't say where the original engine is now, home or still at the shop that did the swap...

I think the first thing to do is get that home or someplace trusted to store it before taking any action.

I think the biggest issue is to what might have been discussed before the work was done. We install several used engines a week at my place of employment, and we offer a 30 day parts and labor warranty. If anything at all happens to the engine or transmission (that wasn't obvious neglect or operator error) we fix it, or give a full refund. Period.

I'd hardly consider $1500 chump change that should be eaten willy-nilly. And personally, I would have asked what kind of warranty it carries, etc. I think the key here is what was discussed before the work ever started.

I know of at least one gm goodwrench crate motor doing the same thing. If it were me I'd get good and even with the mechanic, but as for the engine, rebuild the original one with a good machine shop.

I spoke with my friend today. As it turns out, he paid $1,500 for the used engine, and trans. The trans appears to be in good working order, so he's sucking it up, and towing his car out of the installer's garage today. He still got screwed, but going to small-claims court isn't worth the mental anguish and hassle. The bad engine has some decent speed parts on it, and he still has the original engine for the car. His plan is now to rebuild the "bad" engine as a spare, and use his old original engine for the time being. (it was pulled due to oil leaks- but still runs well)

Thanks for the input!

Fix the oil leaks while the engine is out.

Put the original back in, maybe fix the oil leaks first, do a cheap rebuild on the 302, swap it in, do a top notch rebuild on the original one, put it in, keep the 302 around for backup.