[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Matt, I have known Dan personally for many years through my Model A/B racing endeavors and I must tell you that I have always found him to be a great craftsman and very fair. Your comment about him not always being affable is likely a fair statement as during our initial friendship when I was racing against him and asking questions, I felt the same way however I have found he will give you the shirt off his back as long as he feels like you aren't wasting his time. I will also tell you that I have been out to dinner with him or standing beside of him when folks have walked up asking for advice and then start arguing with what he is telling them. When that happens, he is "done". It may be innocent on that person's part but when he has had enough, then that's it. I see no problem in that as it seems that his line of work generally attracts "wanna-bes" who are unwilling to put forth the time & dedication to learn, ...or earn speed secrets on their own. He will also be quick to tell someone that his products are not for everyone ...and as such, he really doesn't care whether he sells to everyone who inquires about them either. For those of us who have his products, they speak for themselves.

When I survey the entire scenario you described above, it appears you purchased an engine that had a used cover on it that he really does not know the history on. He was forthcoming that his covers, (like many other brands of covers) did/do leak oil, ...which is an accurate statement. Not knowing you from Adam, he suggests that he will send you another one however it would take a month or so until he can schedule it to machine it. While you say "No Problem", evidently the perception was different because you asked him to send you one that YOU would machine yourself. Just because I know Dan, I can see a red flag going up in Dan's mind over that, ...and justifyably so simply because he has no idea whether you are capable of properly finishing something that has his name on it where others might judge his product by your abilities.


Next y'all discuss the headgaskets, which that is what they cost. They are a premium piece that are custom made for him. Nothing Dan has is cheap, ...both in quality and/or in pricing. Again, Dan is sensative about that and I can see where the perception would be that you crossed that line in his view when you told him you were unable to spend $155 on some parts.


My point in all of this is Dan makes banger race parts which in racing, there is no warranty. In your instance, you apparently did not purchase the item from him yet he was willing to make at least some concessions for you, -which however appears were unacceptable in your view. Now, you have chosen to come here to a public forum that is supposed to be catering only to the topics of Model-A Restoration (-which your side-plate definitely is not) where you feel compelled to retaliate against this man by 'blasting' him publicly in hopes it will somehow hurt him or his reputation in some manner. Maybe I am from the old-skool in situations like this but in my views, such behavior is inappropriate and no one wins in something treated like this.





One closing comment to hopefully put a positive spin on this is mess. Like others suggested above, did you consider taking your cover off and sealing it yourself? This is what I have done with several of mine and they work fine. Clean the casting well with Brake Cleaner first followed by Wax & Grease Remover. Applying light heat generally opens the pores to help in removing oil from down in the pores. Then apply a couple coats of an insulator paint such as Glyptal which is used in many racing engine applications to control oil just as you have described. Places like Jegs, Summit, Eastwood, etc. all sell it and it will likely cure your problem. Since you mentioned you have machining capabilities, maybe you can check the plate to make sure the gasket surfaces are true & flat since you may not know what has taken place from the time Dan machined it until you purchased it.