T&L ENGINES IN N.C.

Hi Everyone, on friday evening, I was just about to buy a T & L engine. I decided to research them this morning, just out of curiosity, as I have to wait till Monday, to buy.
They have promised me they can get an engine out for me during the next week.
I have to say this forum is very alarming. So much so, that I would seem to be a fool for wanting to purchase from them.
I have seen pretty nasty forums before, and sometimes they are perfectly warranted, and sometimes they are not.
TandL has 100 percent positive feedback on EBAY, which is either a huge scam, or evidence that they do pretty good business.
So guys...I'm lost.
I'm disapointed not to be able to buy, they seem to have what I want, and at a good price and availability. But it really seems like suicide to do it. To make it worse, I have to ship out of the US.
So...is there anyone here who can say something more optimistic about them? Seriously this page could cause some lawsuits...if it's all true.

Originally Posted by johney5

Hi Everyone, on friday evening, I was just about to buy a T & L engine. I decided to research them this morning, just out of curiosity, as I have to wait till Monday, to buy.
They have promised me they can get an engine out for me during the next week.
I have to say this forum is very alarming. So much so, that I would seem to be a fool for wanting to purchase from them.
I have seen pretty nasty forums before, and sometimes they are perfectly warranted, and sometimes they are not.
TandL has 100 percent positive feedback on EBAY, which is either a huge scam, or evidence that they do pretty good business.
So guys...I'm lost.
I'm disapointed not to be able to buy, they seem to have what I want, and at a good price and availability. But it really seems like suicide to do it. To make it worse, I have to ship out of the US.
So...is there anyone here who can say something more optimistic about them? Seriously this page could cause some lawsuits...if it's all true.

I really don't think these guys are making all of this up, and this is not the only forum with this type of thread about T&L!!! I was once considering one of their engines on ebay, but there is no way I'd take the chance of subjecting myself to what they have put these guys through (especially with shipping outside the U.S.!) There are certainly other engine builders out there. Even if they cost a little more... heck, or even a lot more!... it would be worth it to not be sitting around a year later without an engine!!! And then what if you had a warranty issue after you finally got it??? I can't explain the positive feedback on ebay except that there are a lot of scammers on ebay with positive feedback. If you decide to go ahead with buying an engine from them after reading all of this, at least you can't say that you weren't warned!!! Let us know what you decide!

Gordon...out of respect for all of the people on the forum...I hear ya'. However...I've read some pretty bad things in the past about other companies on forums..and sometimes there are two sides to a story. I have read a couple of very positive things about them. The Ebay thing is quite a contradiction. If there is someone from T&L reading this forum...please throw your two cents in. Because it does seem like I would be a fool not to listen.

While on this subject...can you, or anyone make a suggestion of another company that has competitive prices for a 347?
thanks again

Originally Posted by johney5

Gordon...out of respect for all of the people on the forum...I hear ya'. However...I've read some pretty bad things in the past about other companies on forums..and sometimes there are two sides to a story. I have read a couple of very positive things about them. The Ebay thing is quite a contradiction. If there is someone from T&L reading this forum...please throw your two cents in. Because it does seem like I would be a fool not to listen.

While on this subject...can you, or anyone make a suggestion of another company that has competitive prices for a 347?
thanks again

I certainly understand that businesses can't make everyone happy and often times there is another side to the story. What makes me take this thread more seriously is that first, these posts are people who have personally done a transaction with T&L. Secondly, the events they write about are detailed and well documented. Thirdly, the complaints are all very similar. And lastly, there are so many! I could dismiss two or three, but multiple threads across multiple forums making the same complaints? That's enough to make me go elsewhere. That's just my take on it. You can certainly make your own judgement.
I agree, it would be nice if someone from T&L would come on here to explain what is going on and address these issues. I (and I assume many others) would love hear their side of the story.
As far as alternatives, I've heard good things about Keith Craft (no personal experience). I'm sure that Southern Racing (912) 232-1952 here in Savannah can build and ship you an engine (that's who will do my next build). I happen to know that they have a 500+ HP iron headed 514 assembled longblock with an Eagle rotating assembly right now for about $3,500 if anyone is interested (I think the customer ran out of money or something like that).
I'm sure that others on here can also recommend some other engine builders.

Originally Posted by johney5

TandL has 100 percent positive feedback on EBAY, which is either a huge scam, or evidence that they do pretty good business.

FYI - I went onto ebay, went to T&L engines, and clicked on "see all feedback".
For one thing their feedback rating is less than 100% although it is 99.2%. But if you read the feedback, all of it except one is for various parts and not complete engines. The one negative... well you guessed it!... is someone who ordered an engine and did not receive it when promised! Interestingly, even a few of the positive feedback comments actually say negative things.
You have to remember that until recently giving a seller a negative rating meant that you would get one in return. For that reason many people have left positive ratings or not left feedback at all even when they've had a negative experience.

On the Ebay feedback...my thoughts [$.02]

I think many won't give negative feedback because they haven't received their engines yet and don't want to piss off the seller more then they already have. Second, after they receive the merchandise, once again they are reluctant to leave negative feedback because of fear of losing any warranty repairs that might be needed on the product. Which is quite a bit of $$$ outlay.

If I was going to use a company with all the negative writing that I've read here.....FIRST I'd contact one of the members that had a problem and ask for a phone number and talk to your fellow member one on one, instead of posting and waiting for an answer. Ask, lots of questions. I'm sure our members will be more than glad to fill you in and answer all you questions.
SECOND check with their local Chamber of Commerce or BBB and see if they have any comments/complaints.
Then, LASTLY I'd look for some alternative, in case all the bad stuff is true. Come on there has to be more then #1 company doing this and priced comparatively.

Off soap box.

thanks gearhead...everything you have said is good advice. I actually was able to send an email to one of their employees, who sent me a nice response. Ok, for what it's worth he basically said the engines were very good...with few returns, or problems. And he said that they were delivering much too slowly, and that he was aware of it. He did not say it was as slow as people have said here.
At the end of the day...you are right, that I would be foolish to buy an engine under the circumstances. I'm looking for another company. But they are very cheap. What's an extra grand in exchange for peace of mind.

Give Woody at fordstrokers.com a buz. I bought my rotating assembly from him. He was very friendly, informative and prompt. He sells complete engines also.

Originally Posted by johney5

What's an extra grand in exchange for peace of mind.

...And another year's worth of driving!!!
Good luck with your search Johney 5! Maybe you will get a few more recommendations on this thread. Let us know what engine builder you decide to go with and how it turns out.

Well I did.