Reviews of Fairway Engine Exchange in Sterling Heights

I needed my engine block machined and new pistons fitted to it. The machine shops that I had work done at years ago were closed or were now run by undesireables. I called Fairway and spoke to their write up guy, Andrew. He "talked the talk" and I dropped off everything to their shop. I explained exactly what I wanted done. I had the #1 cylinder sleeved, the engine block bored and fitted with new forged racing pistons that I supplied. The assembly was supposedly balanced also. I asked them to go ahead and get the piston rings, bearings, gaskets and assemble it for me. I told them to please take their time and do everything "by the book." I specifically, in person, stressed the need for the manufacturer's spec on piston clearance, in the paperwork, in the piston box. I explained that I went to automotive trade school, was on the honor roll and had perfect attendance throughout the curriculum. I and know the importance of these tolerances. Not meeting specification will cause excessive wear straight from the start of running it the 1st time.

I was assured that the owner's son was very capable and would do everything right. I put my faith in Fairway and expected a quality job. I was working in Tennessee, coming home once a month so I was in no hurry. I got the call that my engine was ready. I picked up my engine and after upon returning to Michigan, called Fairway and spoke to Andrew to verify that clearances were set correctly. he looked in my file and said that the "spec card" that should have been there was missing. He couldn't tell me anything about what the clearances in my engine were set to. I was very unhappy that it was now a gamble to finish putting it to together. I now felt obligated to check a few clearances to feel confident that I could finish assembling the engine and put it back in the car without having things go bad for me. I pulled out a few pistons and measured their clearance in the bores. The manufacturer's specification was a minimum of .003". 2 pistons were under that. I started checking the piston ring gaps. NONE OF THEM had been set to the .024" that the manufacturer's specification called for.

I called Andrew and wanted my engine set up properly. I started explaining what was wrong and Andrew told me that I "can't talk all the technical talk " with him because he is not a mechanic. If the conversation had gone that wat in the beginning, I would have taken it back home with me and looked for another rebuilder. I was assured that everything would be taken care of. That is what I was told when I first gave them the job. I was also told that my engine would not take priority because they had other jobs to finish. My engine was well ahead of them and paid off, long ago. That did not matter at all. I now did not trust them at all. I would have to pay someone else to correct their incomplete job on fitting the pistons. I will now have to set the piston ring end gaps and see if all the bearing clearances are acceptable. If I assembled and ran it this way it would have caused scouring and excessive wear in the cylinders from the lack of required clearances. I will NEVER trust Fairway to do anything for me again. I do not reccomend them to anyone. They really failed me and my job was a very easy one for them being out of the car.

Due to issues in my life, the whole Covid thing and work, I still have not completed this engine yet. Thankfully it is in a climate controlled shop and is protected from the elements.