When is a 428 not a 428?

[MetaJacko]

Hi,

Well I've just got some feed back from the machine shop that not only had my big end gone (as I'd expect) but so had my oil pump, my pistons need replacing and the block need re boring

You would think that would be enough bad news but when I aked what over bore he suggested he said +60! I thought 'thats a lot for a 428' and asked what the current bore was. Answer 4.08, I then asked him to check the stroke and that was 3.78.
So my '428' is really a 390 at +40

Not too sure now if I should bore to 4.13 and change the stroke or make do with what I have (390 is still a good engine) and up rate the cam, rockers etc along with having it ported polished etc.

I guess I could have a word with who I bought it from last year (Hallmark) but they will probably argue that they tried all reasonable means to identify it correctly.

Oh Well! I guess I'll just go and have a sulk now!

Paul

[Grease Monkey]

Well if you will make these outrageous claims about how many inches you've got, dont be surprised if someone chops a yard of them off...

[MetaJacko]

Hmmm, guess I deserved that!

[simon]

Still a stonking engine, but I would have thought hallmark could have easily identified the engine by looking up the engine numbers?
Should you want to be litigious, I would think you would have a case under the trades description act that MIGHT persuade them to make a small contribution towards your machining costs?
Just my 2p worth.

Simon

[MetaJacko]

Good suggestion, I've just emailed them asking how they defined it as a 7ltr since I beleve they also carried out the re-registration in 2001 (from jag 2dr to cobra I guess)

I guess they will come up with some excuse though

I've just got to get over the fact that it isn't a 428. Yes it is still a good engine but it isn't what I thought I had bought. I suppose I was foolish enough to beleve that the information on the log book is accurate.

Paul

[LRdriver]

Yep, I agree.. its a mine field out there with kitcars. Caveat Emptor and all that.
But one would assume that a Cobra kitcar specialist would be trustworthy but then again, they are basically just used-car dealers and must be treated as such..

I would definately start leaning on them with some legal muscle(threats) as you expected to get a 428 and not anything else. Not checking engine numbers etc.. is pure laziness especially when companies state how they only buy and sell the top/best-quality cobras and you can trust them to get a good product.

Bah.. 2nd hand car salesmen are all the same..

[kdavies3]

it might be worth a conversation with your local CAB (citizens Advice) it 's free. :thumb:

[kevchard]

Sorry to hear about your engine, but would have thought you could have got the dealer under the trades description act, you bought and paid for a 428, not a 390. It would be worth a getting in touch with trading standards if you don't get any joy from the dealer.
Cheers
Kevin and Helen

[callum]

If they advertised it as a 428 and you bought it on that basis & they're in trade etc., they will struggle to avoid coughing up the difference. The trouble is establishing what that difference is worth - certainly something well on the way to fixing a 390. Try to be reasonable but stay firm. Caveat emptor is less relevant to a trade sale where you pay more becuase of the alleged competence of the vendor to see and fix problems and guarantee vehicle provenance (it is what it says on the tin). If they value their good trading name they will come to terms. If they don't, we should all hear about it. Keep it factual, not emotive or libellous!

[mylesdw]

The great news is that you don't need to spend a load tuning the thing up to get it to go faster. Changing the crank will give you by far the best value for money, Ask the dealer to supply the new crank, it is a good compromise for them too, much cheaper than supplying a 'real' 428 or being taken to court. A recon 428 crank should only be a few hundred quid and you need new pistons anyway.