Dig deeper ...Maybe there is a stipulation that says 30days of use, not ownership. If the engine was kept in a good storage I don't see that just because it took you 30days+ to try it out they shouldn't have to cover it. If you can prove when it was installed and when it was brought back with a defect I think you might have something. anyone?

Everything in law states you have to PROVE they did it. So it becomes here say you said it was fine before it went in.. but was shot after? How can you prove that it was fine before?

On the other hand.. an UNCERTIFIED mechanic worked on your car? That might be more then sufficient in court. Would you trust an uncertified police officer or fireman or accountant??

Errmm...when he bought it it was supposed to be functional. Wouldn't that be the proof? haha

That is very true Doc J.. but prove that it didn't blow the day before it got brought in.. That would be wat their lawyer would say.. prove that it was functional BEFORE it came into the shop.. not when he first received it. He/She will claim that lots could happen between then and when it came in.

Too true, if there'* one thing I figured out through my ordeal its that the law seems to favor shops over customers...yeah I can see that being a setup, buy the engine from A have B install it in car; blow gasket; pull engine; have C re-install it; claim its their fault. Plus since it wasen't a rebuilt motor..man...You'd think in a world of "Guy breaks into home, bit by dog, sues homeowner; wins" that SOMETHING could be done here....ahh find the lawyer referral number for your area, its like $25 for a consultation and they can explain all your options. It might be worth the money, you never know if the lawyer has done something like this before and won. *shrug*

yet again.. I will agree with Doc J. The law seems to cover the crooks more then then victim.. a similar situation happened that I know of where buddy had his house broken into 3 times in 3 months.. seems like the crook knew when he got his insurance and got new stuff in. Well.. after that the owner got ticked off and put a board with nails @ the bottom of the basement window.. sure enough.. crook tried again.. and the owner found him the day after with his foot nailed onto the board and not moved.. called the cops and thought that was it.. well long story short.. he had to pay the crook 290,000 for pain and suffering and not being able to work during the healing time.. umm.. yea.. work.. like breakin into somebody elses house..

Sorry

Back on track.. I think you may have to bite the bullet on this one.. but before you wave the white flag.. DO talk to a few lawyers and see what they say ( not just one.. that one you talk to might be just interested in lawyers fee win or lose on your part )

Well this is even more confusing than before, my friend whos in school to be a mechanic came over to tow the car to a new shop, before we did that he was like well let me check it out, we put the spark plugs in, started it up and it sounded very loud like it did with the exhaust leak and there was fire coming out of the back of the engine, now he told me that a blown head gasket would be spewing oil and stuff everywhere but there wasnt any, and that fire wouldnt be coming out like that or be as loud. Another thing when we looked at the oil and coolant he said he didnt see any in either. Guess when i go up to the shop tomorrow ill get their view, if anyone has anything to say about this please let me know if it could still Possibly be a blown head gasket. thanks.

a blown head gasket would not shoot oil or fire either for that matter. Sometimes a car can run perfectly normal with a minor head gasket problem, but thats only minor. Id check for milky oil like you stated, a rough running engine, or white smoke.

no white smoke i saw anywhere, all i saw was fire shooting out of the back of the engine and it sounded very loud. Oil looked completely normal to me, and the coolant did too.

Blown header with bad spark timing and or valves?? Something along that line?