Continental Motors, CA / 164 rough idle after valve job

[Jerry Ecklund <jre2100@domain.elided>]

The rough idle problem on my '91 164S has finally been
solved.  For those who remember my posts from last
December I had a the heads rebuilt at Continental
Motors in Sunnyvale, CA.  After the job was finished
the motor didn't idle smoothly.  I asked the shop to
recheck the valve timing and clearances while
re-torquing the heads and they claimed everything was
in spec.  Now months later and after numerous trips
back to the shop, they've finally diagnosed the
problem as two valves being adjusted too tight.  I'm
just appalled that after all this time they only now
figured the problem out.  On numerous occasions I
asked the shop owner "are you sure the valve timing
and clearances are correct"?  The car now idles fine
but the clearances are now too loose and the valve
train is clattering away.  I've decided at this point
I'd better just re-adjust them myself.  Come to think
of it I should have done the complete head job myself!

I've seen other listers recommend this shop on the
digest.  I strongly advise against this facility.  In
addition the the above problems they also replaced my
cluth and pressure plate etc. with OEM units and it
now chatters on take-up.  Yes the flywheel was also
resurfaced or so the shop claims.

What are other listers experiences with this shop?

Thanks,
Jerry Ecklund, San Francisco
'91 164S
'93 BMW 525i
'76 Lancia Beta Coupe
'81 Fiat Brava
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