Frank Matthews used engines (near Savannah) - multiple complaints

[metriccrescentwrench]

I'd avoided using names before, worried that I might be breaking forum rules. I just reread the rules and they state that as long as I strictly stick to facts that I can post my experiences about a vendor.

It turns out that SparkieBoat and I both got ripped off by the same guy - Frank Mathews on Wilmington Island near Savannah, GA.

Sparkie recently bought what was purported to be a rebuilt engine when in fact it was cobbled together and not nearly what was claimed. Here's his thread with some photos.

http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24


A couple of years ago I bought what I thought was an engine in good working order from Frank Mathews for the Checkmate I was rebuilding. He claimed that the powerhead only had a few hours on it, and the lower unit/water pump were recently serviced. 6 months after I bought the engine I mounted it on my Checkmate and found:

1. The cooling system had been cobbled together. The water control valve was removed and the water line that should have been going to that simply went to the pisser. The engine would only run in the lake for about 5 minutes like that before overheating. (Thanks to Faztbullet I got the cooling figured out.)

2. Two of the bearing housing bolts beneath the water pump were broken off, which resulted in gear lube leaking out and water getting into the gearcase.

3. Two carb bodies were cracked.

4. For some reason there were two head gaskets on the starboard side. They were old ones which were reused.

5. There is mild scoring inside a couple of cylinders. Definitely more than just a few hours on the powerhead.

6. Bad timer base.

7. Cracked flywheel magnet.

8. Instead of recirc valves plain barbed fittings were used.

9. Instead of replacing worn out reeds they were simply flipped over. Installing new reeds significantly improved the idle.

EDIT to add: After tearing the engine down I found that one of the pistons was cracked. Additionally I found a couple of the connecting rod bearings to be discolored.



So it seems that Frank Mathews has been doing the same thing for quite some time. I'm hoping that I can keep even one person from getting ripped off by him.

 

[JB]

Re: Frank Mathews used engines (near Savannah) - multiple complaints

Re: Frank Mathews used engines (near Savannah) - multiple complaints

What does Mr. Mathews have to say about these two incidents, if anything??

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Frank Mathews used engines (near Savannah) - multiple complaints

Re: Frank Mathews used engines (near Savannah) - multiple complaints

JB, in my case I bought the engine about 2 years ago. I had to drive to his place to get the engine, while I was there Frank made a big deal about saying how much experience he'd had as a certified outboard mechanic. Once I got the engine home it sat in my garage for another 6 months until I finished rebuilding the boat. After I installed it, test drove it and figured out I had a problem I'd tried calling a few times but never could get ahold of Frank. I honestly just kind of gave up on trying to contact him after that, seeing as how he's nearly 300 miles away from me and that the engine was sold "As-Is" I just figured it would be a huge hassle to ever get any help out of him.

When I read SparkiBoat's thread and realized that he was dealing with the same guy it became apparent that my experience with Frank wasn't an isolated incident, and that he is still doing the same thing. Sparkie stated that he's repeatedly tried contacting Frank, and that he won't return phone calls any more. Maybe if Sparkie sees this he can add more details.

I really only decided to post this after reading about Sparkie getting ripped off with what he thought was a rebuilt engine. It's my hope that maybe someone will do an online search of Frank Mathews before buying an engine from him and realize that they need to do far more due diligence on the engine than I did before handing over their cash.

 

[JESTERxHEAD]

Re: Frank Mathews used engines (near Savannah) - multiple complaints

Re: Frank Mathews used engines (near Savannah) - multiple complaints

Well I wish I had seen this on the 10th of this month....LOL

I also purchased an outboard from Frank. But I drove from Illinois.

I purchased an 1995 Evinrude vindicator 200. I have had nothing but problems from such a cobbled motor. There are things you dont know until the outboard is actually in the water and not on a stand. He said he rebuilt this motor in 2010 and has less than 100hrs on rebuild. Every bore .020 over. I asked about the carbs when rebuilt, he said he's gone thru all of them during the rebuild.

1. all compression was within acceptable limits...barely but ok.
2. ran fine on the stand, shifted. so I bought it.

I get home. I pull the power head off of that outboard and fit it onto mine.

1. I noticed with a mag light #6 didnt look right too me. So I pulled the head. I had water in the intake port. and water deposits on the piston. So I cleaned that up and put new head gaskets on the motor.
2. while pulling the port side head I had noticed hole 1 was .040" over! and the rest were .020 over.
3. Number 1 hole also had major chunks taken out of the edges of the exhaust port. (increasing exhaust timing)
4. scoring in all 6 holes. way over 100hrs on the motor, good size ring ridge.
5. I get my fuel lines hooked up and there is fuel literally pouring out in front of the motor. I install 6 carb kits. the needles looked original with about 600 hrs on them.

And this is so far!

I still cant get this motor to run right, I think I also have a timer base issue. I can finally get it to idle in the water but now I cant get the boat on plane at all.

I've called him MANY times with no answer....bought off of craigslist.....

Oh and to top it all off, the motor is actually a 94 model according to the model number.

Just very frustrating, and upsetting.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Frank Mathews used engines (near Savannah) - multiple complaints

Re: Frank Mathews used engines (near Savannah) - multiple complaints

OUCH!!! Well, at least you've found a good source of knowledge here on iboats.

What I'd like to see one of these days is for someone to post that they've walked away from buying an engine from this guy after reading about him. I'm so tempted to put up a web page detailing his "exploits".

 

[lncoop]

Re: Frank Mathews used engines (near Savannah) - multiple complaints

Re: Frank Mathews used engines (near Savannah) - multiple complaints

Might be worth a call to the PA. Might not be able or willing to do anything since the guy's selling "as is", but HOLY SCHNEIKES!