Following the thread on the oversize bushing it struck me that we should make our experiences available to other's that share our interest. Also would be a spot to post the response/resolution of the problems. We would all like to know what parts not to waste time with and who the dealers are we cannot depend on for quality parts or service. What do you think? Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I think it's an idea with good intentions but unless someone here also wanted to take responsibility for manufacturing all of the sub par parts at a quality level, it won't achieve much.

The reason I say this is for the most part, there is a handful or less of companies who actually produce the parts. The "dealer network" order these. So for them most part it's the same quality everywhere. None of these dealers want to take manufacturing into their own hands. Some just plain and simply don't want to get more involved. Some realize that a quality part can cost much more than the cheapos to manufacture. Unfortunately, most people in a restoration hobby only see price and as a result, the higher quality, better fitting, more expensive part is much more difficult to sell.

In order for anything like this to have any noticeable affect, we, the hobbyists have to wake up and make the move as a whole. Until the perception that lower price is always a better value is abolished, the whole cannot make that move.



With that, I am casually looking for investment opportunities. If someone wants to take a project like that on, I might be interested.



The bad dealer experiences should be left out completely. Anyone who's ever worked in the customer service industry knows there are people who just can't be satisfied. They also tend to be the ones who make the most noise. As a result of a relative few complaints, a company's image can be unfairly skewed to the negative side of the spectrum.



Please don't anyone take offense to this. They are general statements based on my personal experience on both sides of the restoration business/hobby - the company who sells restoration parts, and the customer who buys parts.


Lawrenceville, GA

=====================================================

Charlie, you have summed it up exactly and couldnt agree more with you.

I just spent 15 minutes typing my thoughts and it didnt appear in the topic, but this is shorter version.  I think there would be too many unsubstantiated claims of products that dont fit and who is fitting them?, generally most complaints come from inexpeirenced people that are keen but not trained to do this work, you only have to look at most topics of how does this work, carbs! is one example! blaming one brand to the next but could be a raft of problems , ignition, vac leaks, loose wire, fuel blockage,?? then the innuendo of that carb being no good becomes law! its not right to be able to blame anything without definite proof Imagine hearing your companys product was no good because some unqualified person couldnt fit it correctly and got on this forum starting an avalanche of garbage talking about it like on most other forums, I for one dont want this forum to end up like that!  I,m not having a go at anyone but feel its not a healthy section to open up but if there is a problem part and there would not be many! then it could stay in THIS & THAT section.

I.m trying to say, open this section and there will be just pages of hearsay, misguided views, ramblings and opinions theorising on problems that get all out of proportion and loose the quality of this site. This is only my opinon. Thanks guys, regards bill. 

  AussieBill            YYYY    Forever Y Block     YYYY

 Down Under, Australia

Though I did cast a "yes" vote, upon reflection, I tend to agree with Bill. Best approach might be a grading system (that could average out customer satisfaction in general) accessible upon request, but not in your face on a daily basis. Could be broken down by specific categories, so even if service was consistently bad (for example), if a particular supplier always excelled on price, extent of inventory, etc., you could zero in on your individual need.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Giving the idea of a heading for unsatisfactory parts & service some thought, I don't think so. Do we want to turn the forum into a bitch & complain area? As mentioned the "This and That" column can be used for that where needed. Or an alternative might be the "Stuff That Fits" area. It could be altered to include "or Doesn't" The problem with complaints is that often we would not be sure if the problem arose from a lack of communication from one or both parties. And anyone of the parties can be having a bad day, with bad results. Buying parts at the counter is one thing, but buying parts & services by phone or internet often leads to problems which may or may not be caused by an inferior product...

Paul

Maybe someplace to post about parts that seem to be of a higher quality/ better fit/ durability/ and who sells it/ them, might be a better alternative. Also, anyone who my have any NOS for sale- (it IS still out there) I'd think reporting GOOD customer service there would be helpful, as well... /Duck

BOO- YA!!!

Most every one of us who has posted, and probably voted too, are Y blockers that have been around the horn a couple of times and know a few things about the quality of parts, customer service, and where to find parts, etc. But, I do think that Chuck's idea could serve the newcomer's well. I can remember seeing posts on this forum where new members were asking where to find this, where to find that, and so on. Off site, I have "steered" many a person to certain companies and/or websites for parts acquistion or purchasing...and I would be a liar if I said to you that I did not include my opinion when I did so...

One of the things that could be cleared up through this kind of idea that Chuck is proposing...is the common misconception most of us USA born and bred "wrenches" might have is that anything made overseas = junk. Now, granted there are parts that are made in China or other countries where we have found the quality control to be less desirable, but consider parts that are made in Australia (wasn't it true that for a while, this was the only country in which we could find the rollmaster timing gear set?). And what about the fella in New Zealand making the valley covers?

Me? I would love to have some kind of access to these kinds of companies and/or individuals to see what they have to offer and the quality of parts for sale.

2 cents

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

I like positive things, Maybe a thread on positive outcomes serves everyody better. Negative has too many unknown factors, tooling, skill level, surrounding component condition.

1957 ________________ Ford

\___((_______________))___/

(@)________V__________(@)

[________I_____I_________]

__[__]__ o_______o___[__]___



Y Blocks, The New Flathead!

I agree with the idea of positive outcomes and links to vendors with products we have been successful with their parts/kits.  I am new to this forum and to y blocks, but have many years of restoration and mechanical experience.  So, at least I know how to hunt down things I need or want.  But it would be nice to have a thread were you pull up a part or job and have someone recomend a vendor or give some advice.

You can find these in the tech threads but you really have to search for the right fixes sometimes.

my $0.02