Got ripped off AGAIN in Crestview, FL! (or "Don't buy from this guy!!")

So, I went online, found a 347 Stroker, with a Titanium T5 for $1200. By time I got to it, the T5 had sold already. He said he'd take $500 for the 347 (stroked out 302/5.0).

I get there, it's an older guy, we talk about it a few minutes, and I agree to give him $500 ($200 cash per his request and a $300 check, which he cashed in a HURRY).

The engine had a lot of hop-up EFI stuff on it. I decided to run the head numbers, as he said they were GT-40s. Guess what. STOCK 5.0. DAMIT! I called the guy, and he said, "the guy I am selling it for SAID it was a 347. That motor will put out 500 HP any day. ME: I doubt it, it has stock roller rockers. HIM: Well, it still is fast. ME: Yeah, but it's not what you advertised, and not what I paid for. I think if I pull the oil pan, and find out that it isn't a 347, I'm going to need some money back. HIM: Good luck. CLICK! He hung up. WTF??????

So, with a 101 degree fever (literally- I got the flu yesterday haha) I tore off the oil pan. No chamfer holes for stroker (longer) rods, and it smelled like (wait for it, wait for it) a burned out, tired 120,000 mile, three oh fucking two.

Anywho, BUYER BEWARE. Any other inputs. Here's his Craigslist link note: AD DELETED DUE TO THREAT ON HIS HEALTH AND WELL BEING/ MULTIPLE DEATH THREATS


His name is Jerry "Mac" McCxxxxx, 850-826-xxxx; Crestview, FL, 32539 (NOTE: due to threats on his personal safety, I am astonished somebody (a supposed friend of mine from Canada--WTF??) would call him and threaten his life, kneecaps, and otherwise- I'm not saying somebody from HERE did it, as I posted an ad on Craigslist, so...CEASE AND DECIST ALL THREAT--IT'S ONLY MONEY, NOTHING WORTH GETTING HURT OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANYONE DOING THIS, TELL THEM TO KNOCK IT OFF NOW!

 

pray that he stays healthy until you can delete what you posted

 

Guys like that are not just in Florida. Good luck with this.

 

ouch, complied with, thanks manyolcars!!!!

 

That really sucks... thanks for the heads up, the good ol' karma gods will get him.

...and to hang up on you, WOW, Takes balls.

 

That sucks. Same thing happened to me once. I bought a "rebuilt" engine off some guy on craigslist that ended up being a piece of shit. Live and learn.

 

yeah, haha, takes a LOT of balls to hang up on somebody. We'll see what happens in small claims. Sheriff's can't do anything about it. Oh well, this is what I get for spending so much time on the road, and getting in a hurry to build my car....hahah whatever. Oh, I posted an ad about it in Pensacola Craigslist. hahah something about DON'T BUY FROM THIS GUY

I also printed out his ad, and luckily, I wrote "347 engine" on the bottom of the check, and when we go to court, I'll tell them I have a 302, not a 347, which is only worth about, oh, $100 tops.

Shoulda known better! (insert kick self in ass here)

Fellas, let me know if there's anything else I can do (LEGALLY!!!!) thanks

 

I fell for your lost and not trying to compile your bad deal,but if you don't mind me asking,why did you not run the numbers before you paid up.Again i am not trying to be an asshole.This is truly a f@##$##d up deal

 

I looked at the ad, went back to the Craigslist search bar and entered his phone number. He must be clearing out a junk yard. On the 18th alone he posted nine ads in the auto parts section alone. Looks like he's out to make a fast buck.

 

What does a new 347 crank cost ?

 

I hate to say it, but I'm going to anyway. Are you really surprised its not a 347? I mean... those cost thousands to build. You can spot GT40 heads without pulling the valve cover. I agree its an asshole thing to advertise something that it is not. However, you're probably more mad that you didn't make out like a bandit instead of some old man schooling you. Its like ol' George Carlin said "whoever coined the phrase Let the Buyer Beware, was probably bleeding from the ass!"


You're not that bad off. You still have a good core if nothing is cracked,spun,or bent. Stroker or not, a 5.0 is a good motor(if its an E7 block). I'm not sticking up for the guy,either. I'd report his ass too.

 

I like that you put "347 engine" on the check, I'll remember that...best of luck to ya, and as far as "I'm selling it for a friend" goes, he's still liable to make sure what he advertises is what he's selling unless he adds a caveat to his advertisement like "I'm not certain it's such and such, do your research before buying" and so on...without that, him selling something and not being certain of what it is falls back on him...

 

serious problem buying from someone who says thay paid 1800 for tranny alone and sells the whole thing cheaper. not to mention, to build a 347 and then sell it for dirt, should be a huge flag by itself.
sorry you got ripped, but live and learn, if it sounds to good to be true.....wel, you know now.

 

If a deal sounds to good to be true...

 

Too late to put a stop payment on the check ? talk to the bank......

 

yeah, I knew it wasn't a high dollar SCAT or PROBE set up, and I knew that I shouldn't expect much for $500. I figured at best it would be a backyard special 347. I THOUGHT they used to use 351 Cranks for that, but now I can't remember WHAT I was thinking. I figured that I might as well get it, as rolling assembly was worth WAY more than that....I have seen engines (and cars) go for way less than half of what they cost to build, wether it was because seller needed cash fo r divorce, or whatever. I knew it was one of those too good to be true things, but, I NEEDED it to get on with my build....oh well. Live and learn.

First rule of Special Operations: NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING!

I'm taking him to small claims court on Monday. haha, spend $4000 to get $50 back.

 

with craigslist,you have to follow your gut.

if it sounds too good to be true,it's a friggin pile of BS.

i love craigslist because it is killing ebay's business.

that is why ebay bought 25% of craigslist

 

69 ads

 

Note: This guy just called me and has had multiple death threats made against him, so i pulled all of his info off the forum, as well as the craigslist complaint. If anyone has threatened him, please stop. I am not saying anyone from the hamb has done this, as i had an ad on craigslist on the same topic. Let's let the boys in blue handle it! Thanks jl

 

I know what you mean , I bought a 400 small block Chevrolet valve covers where off the engine was clean. I got it home and pulled the intake.. and guess what i found, I found what happens when a motor sets all winter with no anitfreeze. the GD block was broken under the intake. Oh well I got a good 400 crank and rods...Next engine I buy I'm taking the intake off before I pay, if they won't allow this then I'll say bye.

 

Hey, JL! Do some checking and see if he's running a business. The State of Florida is exremely tough on fraud, especially if it's an auto related business. Go after this guy hard.

 

I say send him a pic of your avatar along with a satellite view of his house, that ought to keep him awake at night!! Haha

 

Sounds to me like an uneducated buyer is to blame as well. GT40`s are super easy to verify without taking anything apart. GT40`s have 3 ribs cast into the ends of the heads,as well as "GT" in a couple spots. If they were P heads,they would have GTP in a few spots,and 4 ribs on either end of the head. GT40`s are F3ZE-AA castings,and the P`s are F7ZE-AA i believe.

A 347 stroker motor for $500?? Yeah,you were being extremely hopeful,took a huge chance,and now educated yourself in the process.

 

he DOES have a tow truck in his driveway...never thought of that, thanks

THAT right there is funny! What's funnier, (and he doesn't know is) our firing range is about 5 miles from his house. I shoulda told him what I did for a living... he wouldn't slee EVER, we OWN THE NIGHT!

you are 100% correct in all aspects of your post. I ID'd the heads online that night, which is what started this whole mess....I know now. I had it in my head that this was a STEAL...too good to be true...

At least I have the E7 heads, which will work till I save up enough money to buy my Canfields or AFRs.

 

e7 heads are good bone stock for 11.00's or better with nitrous or boost.... so of you're not lookin for a "drag" engine... clean em up and use em. You got decent stuff for your troubles.. it's a nice place to start.

 

I don't care if he is selling for a friend or not. If he is a realman ,He should stand behind what he sells. Only once I didn't because the guy called me every name in the book over rims that could of been an inch wider than listed. He never asked any questions. And I shipped them to him.He still has the wheels Paypal asked him to ship the wheels back and he gave them and me a hard time so they ruled in my favor.So i will never know.

 

Not trying to give you a hard time at all, but this reminded me of one of my personal experiences and I was more than upset too!

My latest set of Dart Iron Eagle heads cost me almost $1,300 instead of the $1,000 they should have.

Why? Because I bought a set of "completely rebuilt", 2.02, double hump, stainless valve, sbc heads from a nice old gentleman in bib overalls in Indy one year for $250. Yep. "Completely rebuilt and ready to go..."

Actually, they were completely junk, had cracks, valve guides shot, etc, etc.

Ended up tossing them and had a custom set of new heads built. No more troubles.

Lesson learned. Shame on me, though new found knowledge is worth something I suppose!

Good luck on your venture!!!

 

I think the death threats are a cop out. He probaly seen your posts and are trying to scare you away. I cant stand thieving ass people. Ive been taken a few times in the past. I once traded a mint '86 buick regal for a supposid race ready '85 5.0 mustang. What a joke. It sure looked race ready and i took the guys word for it because he's my moms uncle by marriage. I couldnt here it run at the time. Got it home worked on it, started it up and had an extreme blow by coming from valve covers. Took it apart and it was all stock high milage 302 with some chrome goodies.

 

I bought a bare 400 block off of CL a few years ago, and the main caps were off of another engine! So my $200 standard bore 400 block needs a $200 line bore. Great. The guy knew it when I called him on it later. Same thing - "buyer beware".

At least I went out and bought some splayed 4 bolt caps, so after the line bore its better than new.

 

shoulda hung up on the prick.