warmonger
The email you previously sent regarding the dealer's scenario was spot on. Having said that, I will be towing the Contour from Bankston to John Eagle within the week. Long story, but the service manager at Bankston indicated that even if the motor in the Contour was good when it arrived at Bankston and his mechanics re-installed the timing gear incorrectly and damaged the motor, Bankston could not be held responsible because the 2.5L/3.0L is a hybrid motor. He also stated that if he had known about it, he would have never authorized his shop to help me out. He also, if you can believe this one, indicated that I had broken the law by switching to a larger (non stock) motor thereby altering the emmisions on the vehicle. I must say, he offered this last tidbit after I explained my intentions in no uncertain terms so he may have been under a little duress. :-)
Anyhow, the guys at Eagle will be more than happy to pull the front cover off the motor to check the timing and of course share what they find. If Bankston did miss the timing by a link on the back timing chain, as I suspect, I will pursue the issue in court to recoup the money I will have to pay Bankston to release the car. If not, back to the drawing board. I will be happy to share the results when they are available.
For the record, the 3.0L head gaskets were used.
