Auto Gear

Heads Up! Counterfeit Auto Gear Muncie Midplates

It has come to our attention that counterfeit Auto Gear Equipment 'Muncie 4 speed' ductile iron midplates (sometimes referred to as 'mainshaft bearing supports') are being sold by at least one outlet.

We have also discovered that there are significant dimensional and quality issues with these counterfeit midplates which may prevent their successful installation or adversely affect the life or performance of your gearbox; in the interest, therefore, of the 'Muscle Car' community served by this forum, we are publishing this notice.

Genuine 'Auto Gear' midplates are manufactured in the United States and are cast 'AGE 18' in the casting relief inboard below the ball bearing diameter.

Thanks.

George E Sollish

Chief Engineer
Auto Gear Company

Brass Pass

George @ Auto Gear,

Thank you for the heads-up on the counterfeit issue.

As a side note... I've always appreciated the quality of parts and customer service that Auto Gear has provided to me over the years.

Solid LT1

Hmmm.....wonder what country they are being produced by......

Dimensional irregularities....you DON'T SAY!

4speeds

I'll be doing a short video on the counterfeit midplates soon. They are the cheaper ones sold on Ebay. Its a US company selling them that has an abundance of super cheap Muncie parts on Ebay using Autogear part numbers. Its really sad because the majority of people purchase parts based on price rather than quality and country of origin. I've seen this with bearings, gaskets, seals, rebuild kits. Its funny people tend to complain about things not being made in the USA but the sales numbers on Ebay don't lie. Fact is the majority of people are caring less and less about where items originate from or quality.

Paul

BBCorv70

Fewer people care or it's becoming harder to determine the country of origin? I don't often see the country of origin being openly shared.

4speeds

I agree and I have asked Autogear to add USA to the plates. However if something appears cheap it doesn't hurt to ask. What I have seen for example on Ebay is outright lies. People claiming Taiwanese gears are made in USA, shift forks for $14.50 made in USA, etc. So a phone call doesn't hurt. Just because it is made in China also doesn't mean its bad. Copies are bad because there are no blueprints and nobody sets tolerances. If you ask someone to copy something again nothing is defined. Measurements get lost in translation. Good product control in China is an art. Richmond Gear's new Super T10 is 100 percent made in China and the quality in my opinion is better than what was made in the USA. Prints are created and dimensions defined and enforced. I informed AGE of the copies because as a distributor people make accusations of being "ripped off" by you gets annoying especially when you are selling a legit product for 12 dollars more than a dimensionally incorrect knock off. Most of these people do not offer any sales support for products as well.
Paul

Stroker Ace Ventura

Paul,
**Resurrecting this old thread if possible...**
I have spoken with you a few times on the phone and purchased many parts from you and I know this is an old thread but I am curious whether you have any experience in counterfeit tailshaft housings for Muncies being sold as AutoGear parts... I am looking at one now and the casting is very rough however the machining looks on par for AutoGear as I already have their super case and your Iron Midplate but I have my concerns... I'm a member of Steves Nova Site for a few years and was trying to find one of these tailshaft housings for my current '70 build but it appears everyone including (you) SUPER661 / 5Speeds.com is sold out... Any ideas? Or is this just the quality we should expect from now on? I am totally perplexed... Pictures below for reference. Thanks in advance...

~Andy


Rough as can be.... Like a bad sand cast...

vettebuyer6369

There’s no need to resurrect a 7 year old thread by addressing a poster that hasn’t logged on in a year and a half. Please start a new thread if you wish to initiate a discussion.