I've run into situations like that in construction, its the same aggravation, once things escalate, because everything turns critical, it is a snowball effect, takes more time and resources to make things right, than it would have if things were not let to become screwed up.
You have to look back at things like this and understand how they start, make the necessary corrections. There is a way to do business and a way not to.
When outsourcing services like a machine shop, you need to have a clear understanding and or a contract, this is business. You are a customer to them, do they take that seriously ? What about your own responsibility to the customer? The job depends on them to rebuild an engine correctly and promptly, and for you to do the same on the installation. Outline specifics, deadlines and prices, or go elsewhere until you find a shop that is capable of what you need, you are in fact brokering engine work to said shop, customer paying direct is one method, I've been successful doing that, sometimes it helps because, you are not financing or funding things, though it may portray an image that things are tight and you may be a "fly by night" to some, I would argue to anyone that cash flow is absolutely the single most important thing in any business so what works is what works regardless. I often times had customers pay direct, not without some issues on occasion, but they don't get marked up on materials, however my labor is what it is take it or leave it, non negotiable. When you are out both material and labor, that deadline is critical so you can get paid in full, so you have to get it done, had you paid that shop or were to, you would have a deadline and be all over them when they did not meet the deadline. I would not hire a shop that was incapable of obtaining the necessary parts for their work, which I assume is taking the engine apart, cleaning, measuring, machining and reassembling with parts you specify or they will back up, being CAT, genuine CAT or aftermarket etc. Getting in the middle of that like you describe is a mistake.
I can tell you I've had subcontractors literally wreak havoc on some of my jobs, subs I did not hire or award contracts to, others I have. It takes a good manager and very strong, precise, accurate follow through to get over the hump, often times such problems are needless.
I don't like outsourcing many things, because you do not have control over the reins anymore, sometimes you have to, and your problem with that is machining, a specialty requiring all that machinery/tooling so you have to partner with a shop, one that does not pull that crap, yes I understand things happen, but that kind of delay is too long, much too long, sheesh, like CAT does not make kits, Regal, who else etc. It's on you the whole time, your customer should have a deadline and a delivery, period.
There is a diesel shop right across the street from me, I've known them a long time. I have recieved their work, rebuilt engines, transmissions etc., always top notch work. You bring him an engine for an overhaul, you get back a properly done job, ready to install if they don't do it for you, be it heavy equipment, over the road tractors, and what have you. He is expensive, thorough and highly experienced, the job is done right and they stand behind their work. Many places with fleets of trucks or equipment use him, smaller outfits may not like the prices, it is what it is, down time for you customer, and all the hoopla with the phone calls, the let downs, just tarnishes things Wayne, I would suggest rearranging things so you know that you don't have to get in the middle of this kind of nonsense, think about the time you have wasted.
I used to hate that kind of disorganized crap on my jobs, immediately taking action, terminating contractors, firing people, whatever it takes, seems half the world works like this, absolutely important to start off with the right people and follow through, never give em too much "lee-way" sp ? (LOL). I have a distinct hatred of sloppy contractors who don't perform, I learned after many years to grab the bull by the horns and avoid these situations from the start. At the time of award, hire or what have you, people either understand me or I find those that do, one must ring the bell loud and clear, at the onset of any hired work, or the results you get may be far from what you expected. "Inspect Your Expect" is how I look at it. Forget the brick wall and the associated discussion here, make the necessary changes and get to work LOL !!!!
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Today's Featured Article - Field Modifications (Sins of the Farmer) - by Staff. Picture a new Chevrolet driving down the street without it's grill, right fender and trunk lid. Imagine a crude hole made in the hood to accommodate a new taller air cleaner, the fender wells cut away to make way for larger tires, and half of a sliding glass door used to replace the windshield. Top that off with an old set of '36 Ford headlight shells bolted to the hood. Pretty unlikely for a car... but for a tractor, this is pretty normal. It seems that more often than not they a
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