Mike Christiansen - G&M Automotive

[excobraguy]

OK, I've waited and waited to try and get resolution and it looks like it ain't gonna happen. I paid Mike Christiansen, yes the guy who works at G&M in St. Louis and helped develop the Syclone pickup, $1800 to prep my block and assemble it. He did the block machining and assembly of my engine girdle. I furnished all the parts except the rings and bearings.

The same day after I installed the engine, I had a lifter tick.....a loud lifter tick. I assumed it was the comp cam roller lifters so I yanked off the intake manifold pulled the lifters and FullThrottle replaced them for me. As I was installing the new lifters I noticed the #6 intake lifter "stuck" in the lifter bore on the way down........this has turned out to be the problem, the lifter bore is f*cked up. I used some emery cloth and 400 grit sandpaper to try and get it good enough for the lifter to slide in and out freely. I thought I had it good enough, but when I reassembled it, the same noise started yet again.

I have contacted Mike no less than 5 times now and have heard all kinds of excuses as to he's not going to be there, he's going to his moms, he's going to Cuba, MO...he's got to get ready for the races...blah blah blah blah f*cking blah.........I might as well face it, I think I will have to sue him to get anywhere. This is ashame that this guy lies like he does and did a ****ty job on my engine. What's funny is that before he let me take the engine, he gave me a speech about how I did the right thing by bringing him my engine because I shouldn't try to do his job just the same as he shouldn't try to do my job. Oh yeah, when I asked him what the lifter preload ended up being, his response "I didn't even check it, you might need longer pushrods". Nice Mike, and you are the pro??????

I know there are Mike Christiansen supporters out there but this is f*cking ridiculous.........I once again have not been able to drive my car for yet another 3 months because of this. I guess I will have to pull my engine myself and do it right MYSELF! So if you read all of this, just beware of Mike Christiansen and G&M automotive in St. Louis.........you'll regret taking anything there to be worked on.

 

[Royal-T-Ltd]

You should of asked around first... JPratt [Jeff] in our local club had 2 misfortunes before he shipped his off to Anderson Performance to get his engine built.... In his prime, Mike was a decent mechanic, ever since his divorce i have heard nothing but horror stories.... havent seen him for a while.... but continue to hear bad things:frown: ....sad. he actually did my stock short block a looooooooooooong time ago. it is still running strong.

 

[Keller]

I paid Mike Christiansen, yes the guy who works at G&M in St. Louis...

Works at? More like "owns". He is the "M" in "G&M".

Its a shame. Mike definitely knows how how to do things right. And he has done things right in the past. However, he often doesn't do things right. He really is a master welder. And as much of a sh*thole as most of his shop is, the machine shop downstairs is as clean as an operating room.

No idea ho long it took to get your motor turned around, Aaron. Jeff Franz really didn't push him to get his motor done, and it took years. (And that doesn't mean two...) However, that one was done well. And with a lot of detail. (i.e. lifter valley Glyptol'ed, etc.) Well machined mains with the steel caps, etc.

I left a 8.5" Vector with him almost a decade ago because he said he'd bush the wallowed out lug holes. Never have seen that again. Fortunately I had another one that was in better shape and didn't desperately need it.

It does seem that the time following his divorce has left him firing on a few less cylinders. And one might say he wasn't firing on all of them 100% of the time before...

There other shops in the area that seem to do good builds. Phase II in Crestwood is one I'd suggest.

 

[excobraguy]

Works at? More like "owns". He is the "M" in "G&M".

Its a shame. Mike definitely knows how how to do things right. And he has done things right in the past. However, he often doesn't do things right. He really is a master welder. And as much of a sh*thole as most of his shop is, the machine shop downstairs is as clean as an operating room.

No idea ho long it took to get your motor turned around, Aaron. Jeff Franz really didn't push him to get his motor done, and it took years. (And that doesn't mean two...) However, that one was done well. And with a lot of detail. (i.e. lifter valley Glyptol'ed, etc.) Well machined mains with the steel caps, etc.

I left a 8.5" Vector with him almost a decade ago because he said he'd bush the wallowed out lug holes. Never have seen that again. Fortunately I had another one that was in better shape and didn't desperately need it.

It does seem that the time following his divorce has left him firing on a few less cylinders. And one might say he wasn't firing on all of them 100% of the time before...

There other shops in the area that seem to do good builds. Phase II in Crestwood is one I'd suggest.

He had my engine for 3 months and it was one excuse after another. Finally I called him and said "I'm coming to get it this Friday, finished or not". He magically had it assembled in time when I picked it up. The whole 3 months he had it were a nightmare. I would call for an update and would get some story about either a friend dying, his mother sick, parts didn't come in yet, they sent the wrong parts, you name it he came up with it..............I can't imagine going longer than 3 months with this guy. And when he talks to you he tries to make you feel like he's the know it all of engine building and you're not. I am not taking anything away from the guy but I expected so much more from him. He talked a big game but when it came time for delivering a quality product, he choked. Oh yeah, and the engine, which he says he didn't need a gasket for the girdle.....leaks like you wouldn't believe. I haven't even been driving the damn thing because of the lifter bore issue and oil continues to drip out of it in the rear.............I'm pissed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Keller]

Builders aren't the fastest bunch, FWIW. Best to have a motor built when you don't desperately need one.

Not sure the engine-girdle connection is supposed to have a gasket. If it is properly machined, properly tightened, and you purchased the oil slinger (is this the RJC girdle?) it should not have issues.

 

[Keller]

Crank scraper...my mistake.

CS

You ought to come out to our meetings, if you haven't. One Sunday afternoon...

 

[excobraguy]

Builders aren't the fastest bunch, FWIW. Best to have a motor built when you don't desperately need one.

Not sure the engine-girdle connection is supposed to have a gasket. If it is properly machined, properly tightened, and you purchased the oil slinger (is this the RJC girdle?) it should not have issues.

Yes, the RJC girdle. I know engine builders aren't too quick but, I asked Mike up front "How much time do you need?" I let him quote me a time estimate and even after me telling him I was not in a hurry he said 3 weeks. This was his expectation he set for me. So as a customer what do you think I expected at the end of 3 weeks? That's right, my completed engine. But what I got was excuse after excuse and an engine that has probably beat the hell out of my $900 Revolution X camshaft that I will have to replace as well as fix the lifter bore issue........

As far as the leak, like you said "properly machined" based on the lifter bore being messed up I suspect the other engine machine work done is screwed up as well. He told me he let his son do the machine work. Something else I didn't even mention, I took him 2 GN Turbo cranks. He turned one and used it and I never got the other one back. I asked him about it and of course he says he gave it back to me. By the way, I did a post for St. Louis builders before taking my engine to him and had 2 local guys recommend him to me.........boy what a mistake!

 

[Keller]

Mike Jr. is a Chevy man. Doubt he is really up on his Buick talents and tolerances like his dad. "Schedule" and "G&M" really don't belong in the same sentence.

We used to hold our meetings for years at G&M. Haven't in quite some time. Many club members probably would not attend if we returned. 'Nuff said.

 

[m233roller]

Hi Dean.
Hey I tried PMing you. Your box is full. You get a minute call me. 1-509-926-8521

 

[excobraguy]

UPDATE - Finally got a hold of Mike.......he says he will look at the car next Wednesday and for me to call him then. I asked him what type of machining work was done to the lifter bores....you guys will love this, his answer was "Well I didn't do anything to them, we just left them alone". I said Mike, didn't you even ball hone them out or anything? He said no...........so you guys tell me, should I just take my engine and run from this guy or give him a chance to fix it......I'm up in the air on this one.

 

[Keller]

Somewhere in the cigarette-tar-infested, alcohol-soaked vestiges of Mike (Sr's) brain, he really does know what he's doing. Putting him on a schedule just isn't going to work. Actually, putting any engine builder on a schedule isn't going to work - period. Mike is just worse.

I know that lately it seems that no one has been able to get a decent motor out of him. I wouldn't have him build a trans, period. And anything regarding the fuel injection system, IMHO, causes him a wee bit of stress and confusion. If you wish to give him a chance to right the previous errors, he may be able to. However, don't expect it "soon". i.e. Perhaps you'd have your motor for the New Year. Or St. Patrick's Day. And even if you give him that chance, it may not be right.

Don't bother threatening him with lawsuits, etc. I'm sure he's been down that road before. And if you never give him a chance to fix it, you'd lose the case anyway.

Really can't answer it for you. It depends on your level of patience (which I estimate at "none") and need/desire to get it together (which I estimate at "extremely high"). Fastest answer is to buy a finished short block, built as you want, from a source that has them ready to go. (i.e. Grooms, Weber Racing, etc.) Plan B? Another local builder that has some Buick motor experience. (i.e. Phase II, etc.) Or C? Just give Mike a chance. Either B or C will take time. A or B will take $$$. And C already has cost you $$$, and may take a little more.

Good luck...

 

[Royal-T-Ltd]

like Scott said that is a hard decision.... if time is a concern i would definitely NOT bring it to him... i dont know something keeps telling me to tell you to cut your losses.... "fool me once shame on you - fool me twice shame on me" ....... you know what i mean... i feel bad for you.

on the other hand he would have to do everything at no cost BUT if its bad work it doesnt mean anything........

 

[Grumpy]

like Scott said that is a hard decision.... if time is a concern i would definitely NOT bring it to him... i dont know something keeps telling me to tell you to cut your losses.... "fool me once shame on you - fool me twice shame on me" ....... you know what i mean... i feel bad for you.

on the other hand he would have to do everything at no cost BUT if its bad work it doesnt mean anything........

well he just said to walk away .. I wouldn't !! I'd RUN and don't look back .

 

[excobraguy]

Update on this - It's been a while sine I posted on here...........the last few months I have tried repeatedly to get Mike to Call me back to get my car in for him to fix his mistake. The last call went like this "Mike, it's Dean...I need to get my car in there and have you fix it" Mike "Dean, hey well I don't have a bay open right now, call me next Tuesday" Me "Mike, everytime I call I get the same answer from you, call me next week, I'm sick of this I want my car fixed". Mike "Dean, I promise you I will have a bay open, I can't help it cause I'm busy and can't get you in, I will call you Monday next week to let you know to bring the car in". Of course I never heard back from him.....this is the 4th time this has gone this way............time for the lawsuit..........

 

[Keller]

Let us know how it goes. I think he's pretty familiar with the courts in one form or another. Not sure if you're going to go small-claims, or another method. I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. However, that is one venue I doubt he'd miss the scheduled date.

Just thinking out loud... Even if you win, that doesn't mean he'll actually pay you... :wink: And since he's not 'employed', there is nothing to garnish. And you'll end up 2nd in line behind his ex-wife in line for a cash handout, methinks. And then its back to the courts...

 

[Scott231]

OK, I've waited and waited to try and get resolution and it looks like it ain't gonna happen. I paid Mike Christiansen, yes the guy who works at G&M in St. Louis and helped develop the Syclone pickup, $1800 to prep my block and assemble it. He did the block machining and assembly of my engine girdle. I furnished all the parts except the rings and bearings.

The same day after I installed the engine, I had a lifter tick...a loud lifter tick. I assumed it was the comp cam roller lifters so I yanked off the intake manifold pulled the lifters and FullThrottle replaced them for me. As I was installing the new lifters I noticed the #6 intake lifter "stuck" in the lifter bore on the way down...this has turned out to be the problem, the lifter bore is f*cked up. I used some emery cloth and 400 grit sandpaper to try and get it good enough for the lifter to slide in and out freely. I thought I had it good enough, but when I reassembled it, the same noise started yet again.

So why would the lifter getting stuck in the bore, be Mike's fault? What are the facts with this matter:

• Did you give him an extra block you had acquired and asked for the machine work or did you give him your old block that never had a lifter bore problem before?
• I'm assuming you mean that you had him "prep and assemble" a long block. Any engine builder would notice a lifter not moving up and down. Did the problem start with the initial start-up or (say) the next day?
• Did you ask him to clean the lifter bores? I wouldn't have unless the bores were rusty to begin with if it were my engine.
• Was this a new cam/lifter setup?
• Have you figured out why the bore doesn't accept the lifter? Is there a burr or crack in the bore? Have you tried other lifters in the same bore (to prove it is the bore and not the lifters)

Please enlighten us. I am only hear to offer help to a fellow TR owner.

 

[excobraguy]

So why would the lifter getting stuck in the bore, be Mike's fault? What are the facts with this matter:

• Did you give him an extra block you had acquired and asked for the machine work or did you give him your old block that never had a lifter bore problem before?
• I'm assuming you mean that you had him "prep and assemble" a long block. Any engine builder would notice a lifter not moving up and down. Did the problem start with the initial start-up or (say) the next day?
• Did you ask him to clean the lifter bores? I wouldn't have unless the bores were rusty to begin with if it were my engine.
• Was this a new cam/lifter setup?
• Have you figured out why the bore doesn't accept the lifter? Is there a burr or crack in the bore? Have you tried other lifters in the same bore (to prove it is the bore and not the lifters)

Please enlighten us. I am only hear to offer help to a fellow TR owner.

I think at this point, knowing this will end up in court I am going to reserve my comments for the legal system. If you want to PM me or call me directly at 573-330-4347 I would be more than happy to discuss. But will not discuss anymore in a public forum.

 

[Grumpy]

you'd better have your song and dance routine down good .. and even if ya do win ya have to collect!! can't get blood from a stone