ENGINE REBUILD MY .02

J

jerry hoxsey

New member
Oct 18, 1999
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Osburns in Albuquerque no longer uses STATKUS to do his out of shop
rebuilding. Mine was done via Osburn by a job shop there in Albuquerque. I
took it to Statkus after his presentation at the BALOON RALLY last October
for analysis. He basically said it should be redone. (6000 miles at that
time) Emissions were way off the scale. I came home and with the NETS help
found several vacuum leaks and now have a much better running engine. I
have not had the emissions retested as of yet. I did get a tour of the shop
STATKUS has and was very impressed with what I saw.

While on our return from Rayne, we stopped in CASTEL TEXAS at the CASTEL
GENERAL STORE. Dale VIRUS replaced front rotors and installed 80mm calipers
for us. I understand this guy has a lot of experience with GMCs and should
be quite well known within the GMC community. I was introduced to him by
Ken Thoma. While doing the work for me, he found a few things I had done
by Osburns that were overlooked.(bad knuckle, 2 bad hubs, and misadjusted
rear brakes) Just had all that checked by Osburn last year. I am still
finding nuts and bolts that were not tightened by Osburn when the engine and
xmission were done by that shop.

All in all, I could not in good conscience recommend Osburn except for
emergencies.

I would like to hear of any experiences with Dale Virus at the CASTEL
GENERAL STORE. He seemed very knowledgeable and helpful.
Jerry
 
A post script to Jerry's note. When I asked Osburn why he quit using Statkus,
he said the turn around was too long. He had to wait a month to get mine back,
and that was too long. (didn't bother me as I wanted it done right)... the
place he has it done now turns an engine around in three to four days. Not up
to my standards either. Anyway, Statksu seems to be a good place to go.
al

> Osburns in Albuquerque no longer uses STATKUS to do his out of shop
> rebuilding. Mine was done via Osburn by a job shop there in Albuquerque. I
> took it to Statkus after his presentation at the BALOON RALLY last October
> for analysis. He basically said it should be redone. (6000 miles at that
> time) Emissions were way off the scale. I came home and with the NETS help
> found several vacuum leaks and now have a much better running engine. I
> have not had the emissions retested as of yet. I did get a tour of the shop
> STATKUS has and was very impressed with what I saw.
>
> While on our return from Rayne, we stopped in CASTEL TEXAS at the CASTEL
> GENERAL STORE. Dale VIRUS replaced front rotors and installed 80mm calipers
> for us. I understand this guy has a lot of experience with GMCs and should
> be quite well known within the GMC community. I was introduced to him by
> Ken Thoma. While doing the work for me, he found a few things I had done
> by Osburns that were overlooked.(bad knuckle, 2 bad hubs, and misadjusted
> rear brakes) Just had all that checked by Osburn last year. I am still
> finding nuts and bolts that were not tightened by Osburn when the engine and
> xmission were done by that shop.
>
> All in all, I could not in good conscience recommend Osburn except for
> emergencies.
>
> I would like to hear of any experiences with Dale Virus at the CASTEL
> GENERAL STORE. He seemed very knowledgeable and helpful.
> Jerry
 
Jerry,
1. If Ken Thoma makes a recommendation, bank on it.
2. I think it's spelled Dale Vieurs at the Sunshine General Store in
Castell.
3. I find I cannot describe the setting. I use him for all mechanical work
and its been perfect.
4. He's got a waiting list.
Bob McLaughlin

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Jerry Hoxsey
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2000 9:46 AM
To: GMC NET
Subject: GMC: ENGINE REBUILD MY .02

Osburns in Albuquerque no longer uses STATKUS to do his out of shop
rebuilding. Mine was done via Osburn by a job shop there in Albuquerque. I
took it to Statkus after his presentation at the BALOON RALLY last October
for analysis. He basically said it should be redone. (6000 miles at that
time) Emissions were way off the scale. I came home and with the NETS help
found several vacuum leaks and now have a much better running engine. I
have not had the emissions retested as of yet. I did get a tour of the shop
STATKUS has and was very impressed with what I saw.

While on our return from Rayne, we stopped in CASTEL TEXAS at the CASTEL
GENERAL STORE. Dale VIRUS replaced front rotors and installed 80mm calipers
for us. I understand this guy has a lot of experience with GMCs and should
be quite well known within the GMC community. I was introduced to him by
Ken Thoma. While doing the work for me, he found a few things I had done
by Osburns that were overlooked.(bad knuckle, 2 bad hubs, and misadjusted
rear brakes) Just had all that checked by Osburn last year. I am still
finding nuts and bolts that were not tightened by Osburn when the engine and
xmission were done by that shop.

All in all, I could not in good conscience recommend Osburn except for
emergencies.

I would like to hear of any experiences with Dale Virus at the CASTEL
GENERAL STORE. He seemed very knowledgeable and helpful.
Jerry
 
Jerry,
1. If Ken Thoma makes a recommendation, bank on it.
2. I think it's spelled Dale Vieurs at the Sunshine General Store in
Castell.

Thanks for the correct Bob. I too take a recommendation by Ken Thoma as
gospel. Glad to hear someone else at least knows who Dale is.
Jerry
 
Jerry,

THANKS - you just gave me one more thing to worry about. Osburn did the
transmission and final drive (3.46)
on my coach for the PO in '98 - was their quality of work better a couple of
years ago, or have they always been a problem?
I'll better double check everything they worked on!

Peter
77 Eleganza II
Colorado

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Hoxsey"
To: "GMC NET"
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2000 8:46 AM
Subject: GMC: ENGINE REBUILD MY .02

> Osburns in Albuquerque no longer uses STATKUS to do his out of shop
> rebuilding. Mine was done via Osburn by a job shop there in Albuquerque.
I
> took it to Statkus after his presentation at the BALOON RALLY last October
> for analysis. He basically said it should be redone. (6000 miles at that
> time) Emissions were way off the scale. I came home and with the NETS
help
> found several vacuum leaks and now have a much better running engine. I
> have not had the emissions retested as of yet. I did get a tour of the
shop
> STATKUS has and was very impressed with what I saw.
>
> While on our return from Rayne, we stopped in CASTEL TEXAS at the CASTEL
> GENERAL STORE. Dale VIRUS replaced front rotors and installed 80mm
calipers
> for us. I understand this guy has a lot of experience with GMCs and
should
> be quite well known within the GMC community. I was introduced to him by
> Ken Thoma. While doing the work for me, he found a few things I had done
> by Osburns that were overlooked.(bad knuckle, 2 bad hubs, and misadjusted
> rear brakes) Just had all that checked by Osburn last year. I am still
> finding nuts and bolts that were not tightened by Osburn when the engine
and
> xmission were done by that shop.
>
> All in all, I could not in good conscience recommend Osburn except for
> emergencies.
>
> I would like to hear of any experiences with Dale Virus at the CASTEL
> GENERAL STORE. He seemed very knowledgeable and helpful.
> Jerry
>
>
>
>
 
Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 19:56:05 -0600
From: "Peter Brandt"
Subject: Re: GMC: ENGINE REBUILD MY .02

Jerry,

THANKS - you just gave me one more thing to worry about. Osburn did the
transmission and final drive (3.46)
on my coach for the PO in '98 - was their quality of work better a couple of
years ago, or have they always been a problem?
I'll better double check everything they worked on!

Peter
77 Eleganza II
Colorado

My work too was done mostly two years ago. Some three years. Please don't
think I am really bashing Ed and his shop. I am sure just like many other
shops, they have many satisfied customers. I think the underlying theme
here is as my Gramdmother used to say,"Trust but don't be stupid". We all
need to be more cautious and not afraid to question. And like has been said
earlier, share our experiences.
Jerry
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: tom warner
To:
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2000 9:35 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: ENGINE REBUILD MY .02

> Why cant we start pulishing copies of letters sent to these dealers by GMC
> owners and the response from the dealer. We need to start documenting
these
> kinds of problems. This might have an awful lot of leverage to get them to
> get their act together. There is no liability in stating the facts.
>
>
>
>
Tom, you are assuming that there is a response from the dealer. As I
related
the facts last fall, Golby's have been very good at totally ignoring
anything
regarding our experience, despite your efforts. The last time they had a
representative at a GMCMI convention we even hand delivered copies of
our expenses (up to that time) involved in repairing all their 'work'.
Somehow,
those never reached the office. That was when we faced up the the fact thay
they simply don't care, and we started informing the GMC community of
our experience in their shop. We decided if we can save anyone else from
going thru what we did, it is worth the wear and tear on the vocal chords
and
now, thru this medium, the fingers.

Gary and Kara Kosier
77EII
 
.
Osborne did the work himself while I was there and was able to watch
and talk with him. Was your work done by him or by one of his mechanics?
That
could make a huge difference in the quality of workmanship.

Andy M
75 PB

As I said, I am sure Ed has many satisfied customers. And yes, you are only
as good as your employees.
It is sometimes difficult to insist on the boss as your personal mechanic.
Glad you had a good experience with Osburn, as I did with The SUNSHINE
GENERAL STORE in Castel Tx.
Jerry
 
Jerry,

I really appreciate the info - I agree that we need to share our
experiences. I'd rather double check a few things now than end up stranded.
I wonder if Cinnabar ever checks on their "certified" shops.

Thanks,

Peter
77 Eleganza II
Colorado

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerry Hoxsey"
To: "GMC NET"
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2000 8:40 AM
Subject: GMC: ENGINE REBUILD MY .02

>
> Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 19:56:05 -0600
> From: "Peter Brandt"
> Subject: Re: GMC: ENGINE REBUILD MY .02
>
> Jerry,
>
> THANKS - you just gave me one more thing to worry about. Osburn did the
> transmission and final drive (3.46)
> on my coach for the PO in '98 - was their quality of work better a couple
of
> years ago, or have they always been a problem?
> I'll better double check everything they worked on!
>
> Peter
> 77 Eleganza II
> Colorado
>
> My work too was done mostly two years ago. Some three years. Please
don't
> think I am really bashing Ed and his shop. I am sure just like many other
> shops, they have many satisfied customers. I think the underlying theme
> here is as my Gramdmother used to say,"Trust but don't be stupid". We all
> need to be more cautious and not afraid to question. And like has been
said
> earlier, share our experiences.
> Jerry
>
>
 
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