March Pulley Trouble
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 5
From: Paducah Ky
March Pulley Trouble
ust wanted to let you guys in on an e-mail that I just sent to March. I will let you know how it comes out.
Last summer I bought a serpentine conversion for a SB Chevy as part of an engine build from T&L engines in North Carolina. Shortly after starting the engine the power steering pump pulley failed ( it was loose on the pump shaft and wobbling ). I called T&L about this in early august and they told me that there would be a slight delay obtaining a new one because you are moving the plant. It is now 4 months and $25 worth of phone calls later and I still don’t have this pulley. They are blaming this on March saying that you cannot furnish the new part. At some point I would like to drive this car again so please tell me when or if this pulley will be available. I am very close to calling this a loss and buying a new kit, even if it has to come from your competitors. Over 4 months is completely unreasonable for any warranty claim.
I am looking forward to your response
Last summer I bought a serpentine conversion for a SB Chevy as part of an engine build from T&L engines in North Carolina. Shortly after starting the engine the power steering pump pulley failed ( it was loose on the pump shaft and wobbling ). I called T&L about this in early august and they told me that there would be a slight delay obtaining a new one because you are moving the plant. It is now 4 months and $25 worth of phone calls later and I still don’t have this pulley. They are blaming this on March saying that you cannot furnish the new part. At some point I would like to drive this car again so please tell me when or if this pulley will be available. I am very close to calling this a loss and buying a new kit, even if it has to come from your competitors. Over 4 months is completely unreasonable for any warranty claim.
I am looking forward to your response
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
I'm curious if T&L ever suggested true race grade serpentine stuff from the likes of CV Products, KRC, Sweet etc? It's not as shiney but it's actually better quality & less$ than March, Zoops. I've never seen M, Z on hi-rpm true competition CT cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
You can always have a custom pulley machined at a local machine shop, to look similar to the march pulley. So long as it has the correct shaft size, and rib count...it'll work and be cheaper than a whole new system.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,637
Likes: 27
From: Norwalk Ct
Have to disagree with you on the comment about the quality of Zoops stuff. I have it and the standard and even the custom stuff they did for me is brilliant. Have not had one single problem with either the v-belt equipment or the serpentine stuff. First rate, top class product, great customer service and still a family run business.
gyopp, give Zoops a call, I bet they have somethng that would work for you or if not the can make it.
Nick
gyopp, give Zoops a call, I bet they have somethng that would work for you or if not the can make it.
Nick
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 5
From: Paducah Ky
I dont intend to replace the entire system, I was just giving March hell about it. I have a machinist friend that says he can put a steel sleeve in it and it will be better than new. Lloyd at T&L said this pulley has a history of being a problem. The pulley hub is too thick which does not allow the locknut to thread far enough onto the shaft. Lloyd said they watch for this but let this one slip through. He takes responsibility for it but he can't get a pulley from March. I know he has called them a dozen times and every time they promise to drop ship me the pulley.
I know for years that March has been the name in this game but if this is how they are doing business they won't fare well very long. Even Lloyd is tired of dealing with them. He said sometime next year they will be producing thier own billet kits.
Anyway, I just wanted to let all the good folks here know how March takes care of you.
I know for years that March has been the name in this game but if this is how they are doing business they won't fare well very long. Even Lloyd is tired of dealing with them. He said sometime next year they will be producing thier own billet kits.
Anyway, I just wanted to let all the good folks here know how March takes care of you.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Try giving March a call & talk to someone about the problem. I've found them to be excellent from a customer service standpoint. Had a custom pulley made by them and they were very willing to discuss design details & work things out. Most manufacturers won't even consider the idea of making a custom part. I didn't know they were moving so that may have something to do with the delay.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 5
From: Paducah Ky
Just wanted to update and let everyone know that March called me last week and gave me an RMA for the old pulley. I received a new one yesterday. Finally, but at least they did the right thing.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 5
From: Paducah Ky
I started this process with T&L sometime in early august. I didn't record the exact date as I never thought one pulley could be such a hassle. T&L tells me that they have contacted March numerous times about this with no results. March has made good so I will not continue to flame them on this issue but thier response was very odd considering the circumstances. Cold , dry, and to the point. They called to tell me that they would send a replacement but never made even a hint of an apology that its taken six months to get another.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
No I mean not handling the mistake better. He seems to have gotten it taken care of by calling March directly. I think if T&L had done that for real it would have been taken care of months ago. I think they didn't do an adequate job of handling his situation.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: Thief River Falls Minnesota
When we first got the March kit for out BB, it was sent out with the wrong pulley for the water pump, but it only took 2 calls to straighten it all out. Customer service was great, and they were moving things around at that time as well, transferring records between their main office and their old main office.
76CustomPaint
76CustomPaint
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
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From: Taylor Michigan
