problems with a mechanic

[justinburnett]

Just thought I'd see if y'all have any ideas what I should do about this:

About 2 months ago I had my transmission re-built and a new torque converter and flexplate installed. I have a 400sbc and the trans guy put an unbalanced flex plate on which caused some nasty vibrations and breaking of all manner of stuff within about 3 days before I got it back to him. He told me it was fine, my engine was just shot so I bought an engine off CL that the guy said ran fine. Put it in, and it did run, but it also had the biggest coolant leak into the crank case and #3 cylinder that I've ever seen. unfortunately the guy brought it out to me from out of town and I tossed his number before I put it in and found out, so I'm screwed there.
When I was putting the engine in I noticed the bellhousing of my trans was all cracked. At this point I still hadn't noticed the flexplate was unweighted on the other engine. Anyway, since the "new" engine was no good I started stripping down the old one for a re-build. That's when I noticed the flexplate was wrong. Took it down to the tranny shop, told him what I thought happened, he said he didn't think it was their fault because he's sure he replaced the plate with what was on there before. I don't know one way or another, other than that it was running fine up until the day before I took it in. I tell him I think he should have known better and he says he'll replace the transmission case. That's fine with me.
So I've got the "old" engine all spruced up and rebuilt and it's ready to go in, and I took the tranny to the guy over two weeks ago now, which he said at that point it would just be a one day thing. He keeps putting me off and it's pissing me off. A lot. Last week he said come pick it up wednesday, so I did, and he says "oh I couldn't get to it, it's been so busy, it'll be done friday for sure" so I show up friday and it's "I'm so sorry, I give you my word it'll be done monday" and now today it's, "Well, I thought I could have it done but..." so I'm fed up and pissed off.
I need that trans so I can put the engine in and be done with all this. I have to tow a 4,000lb trailer about 600 miles next Sunday, which means I still need to break the engine in and make sure everything's running good and I didn't forget something. What the hell am I supposed to do with this guy jacking me around like that? In my younger days the guy probably wouldn't have a shop to call his own anymore, but I'm a little older, calmer, and less inclined to go to jail, what with having kids and such, so even though breaking both his knees and burning down his shop still seems reasonable, I know it's not the path I should take.
Any suggestions?