Let me start this rant with the one and only one product that I have purchased that actually fit and functioned as advertised.

Thanks Tom Dewitt from Dewitts radiator your radiator really did fit like it was supposed to and pleasure to install took all of an hour with wiring.

Now for the rest of the "no quality control" products and parts that just don't fit and the manufacturers and resellers that give you the wonderful warranty of "take it off and return it and we will replace it"

Edelbrock 60479 Auminum heads
(Exhaust manifold holes don't line up)
(Mfg response: Take them off and return Gee thanks!)

Van Steel Trailing Arm
(Rust hole in the bearing assy, buggered threads on wheel studs and flange holes)
(Response: Take them off and return. OK I'll get right on it. What about my two hundred dollar alignment and the 8 hours of install/deinstall/install time?) "And btw your spindles are shot so you won't be getting back your full core charge"

Mid America Chambered exhaust
(Problem:Sent two passenger side exhaust pipes and no drivers side)
(Response: You must be mistaken! Sent new pipe with Fed Ex call tag. Great I drove around for three days with one tail pipe Looks Cool!)

Paragon Windshield frame corner
(Problem: Sent passenger side labeled as drivers side)
(Response:What part number is on the label? Oh then you must have the right part. Replaced after 3 days of phone calls and 3 more days for shipping)

Hot Rod Air
(Problem: Instructions that are completely and totally worthless, Dude buy a decent copier/printer!)
(Response: Just call us and we'll help anytime As long as its between 9:00 Am and 5:00 Pm M-F, Thats right I don't have a job I can just run home change my clothes and have at it)

Billet Specialties Aluminum Valve covers
(Problem: Un installed splash shields with self tapping screws don't fit holes and the break off in the hole)
(Response: We don't actually make the valve covers we just engrave them)

New addition
Comp Cams
(Problem: wiped lobe after 800 miles)
(Respone: Oh F it I didn't even call!)


There have been others I just don't have anymore time to type because I've got to go unistall something and send it back so I can re-install one that maybe works and fits

 

I would be irritated too. Only reason I haven't had a problem recently is because I don't have and money to order anything!!!

 

Jeese yo have been really unlucky I have been building up my Vette for 10 years and haen't had nearly as much trouble, biggest thing was a new leaky aluminum rad, just got it spot welded.

Most things I have got for the car have been as advertised sometimes you gotta take a hammer to things but that's what it's all about

 

micks69,

I hope it gets better for you!!

There is nothing more frustrating than saving up for something, then having to go through what you just described.

I have heard similar stories about Comp Cams, and Van Steel before, but the others are new to me.


www.bigdogvettes.com

 

Van Steel Trailing Arm
(Rust hole in the bearing assy, buggered threads on wheel studs and flange holes)
(Response: Take them off and return. OK I'll get right on it. What about my two hundred dollar alignment and the 8 hours of install/deinstall/install time?) "And btw your spindles are shot so you won't be getting back your full core charge"

Mick
A rust hole in the bearing assembly? Maybe the dust shield because we order a lot at a time and the humidity here doesn't go well with tin.

The threads. Yeah we run a die over them after they come out of the shot peen machine. Could you not get your lug nuts on? If that was the case than you would of sent them back. Maybe they got a little messed up during frieght. I don't know.

Ok so maybe we missed the threads on your flange. We could of sent you a tap to fix it. It's not really that big of a deal to hook up to a wrench and turn.

You happen to do exchange units. Most people who send their arms in or buy exchange units do it for a reason. I don't think you did it for preventative maintenance. You happened to have a run out of 11 thou. and you want credit back for junk parts. Not from me.

This post is and we DO NOT rip people off for the cores.

 

Mick:

I guess my question is if if your stud threads were buggered how did you get the wheels on to get that $200 alignment and where did you go? NASA?

I get as frustrated as everyone else when things dont fit or you don't get what you thought you were buying. But, some of the above does not apper to be the vendors fault. A wiped cam lobe after 800 miles sounds to me like something in the valve train was not as it was supposed to be. If the cam broke that sounds like a mfg. defect...A wiped lobe 9 times out of 10 is result not a cause.

Vendors can't guarantee Bubba's work.

 

I think everyone has had their share of bad luck from time to time. Just happens with these cars. But that's a friggin' black cloud hanging over your head. I think you have bigger problems.

You take the Lord's name in vain a lot or somethin' ... ???

 

I can vouch for Dan and VS - I have had great customer service
from them. When my front end kit was missing a special bolt,
he sent one right out that day - no questions asked.
Also, I don't feel that was a VS quality control problem, as the
ball joint set in question comes prepackaged - and they put the
kit together.

I'm fairly surprised at the problem with Edelbrock. All the others
have been mentioned in other/past posts. Sometimes you get
lucky, and sometimes you fall victim to the stock person that
gets close to minimum wage.

The wiped lobe issue bothers me a lot. A would like to go with
a Comp cam someday - but not the way they hold up now.

 

Jesse James once said "If it doesn't fit, hit it with a hammer. If that doesn't fix it, get a bigger hammer."

Luckily I haven't run into problems like this. Unfortunatly, I'm just getting started.

 

{pantomime voice on}Oh yes there is!{pantomime voice off} It's the above with the added bonus of being on the other side of the Atlantic. Oh, happy days!

Anyway, stop it. This post is scaring me! I've just spent a whole bundle of cash on something that I've been saving for 2 years. Hope I don't need the large hammer again (the small one's OK, I can live with that, it's just when the large one is needed that I start fretting)

 

there's even worse...not receiving anything.....and being on the other side of the pond

There's a real easy solution, buy stuff that you KNOW doesn't fit without modifications, you will NEVER be let down by poor fitment that's what I do, no complaints here

 

I must agree. It's always a surprise when a part fits without any effort. It's one of the reasons that I got rid of my Toyauto. All you did was buy the part and bolt it on. Where's the skill in that?

 

LMAO ! What goes around comes around Micky !

Not sticking up for this dude by far , but I had a lobe wear down on one of my Comp Cams after about a 4-6 month period but they gladly replaced it and even threw in a few items to make things right . Although I didnt care for the uninstall time or the reinstall time , I couldnt complain with the outcome .

 

I have to throw in my 2 Cents and stick up for VanSteel also. I have has a problem with a part they sent but one message was all it took and replacement parts were on the way.

No questions asked, No "is it possible you screwed it up", Just quick response and good attitude.

 

All I can say after reading this post is...don't even THINK about restoring the interior with aftermarket trim parts!

You think you are pissed now? Just try and fit some soft trim parts that don't fit.

A couple of things you had an issue with I would never have bought mail order. Mainly the exhaust.

Doesn't Billet specialties only deal in billet aluminum parts? How did you break a steel screw off in an aluminum valve cover?

 

We may have to suggest a little Valium if you try after market interior stuff.

Just think! We choose to do this.


Bill

 

I know that every Mfg. and vendor listed would replace the products. My point is why isn't this stuff inspected prior to shipping? I'm not buying these parts from Joe's Budget Vette Parts Emporium

Why are'nt there clear and concise instructions?

Why do they act suprised when I call and mention a defect or there one size fits all part does'nt fit?

Not only are some of these parts just not right one vendor even posted a long rebuttal that I am posting a BS thread After he even admits they may have missed something, and a dust shield may have a hole (thats right a hole, not surface rust, in it) What nerve, I have pics.

Even the new Crane cam w/lifters I bought from Sumitt had pin holes all around one of the lifters.

These guys just don't give a poop they think we are all dumb Bubba's that don't or won't know the difference between a high and low quality part.

My time is valuable and if I could take the car in to get something done right I would.

 

Have you not realized that people are out for the sale , quality doesnt exist in anything anymore . I could not even count the defective or poor quality assurance checked products I have encountered in the last several years . I had to send back 2 complete sets of Centerline wheels to Summit because they werent true and then when they had Centerline themself send me some , two of those were warped or not true . Its all about gaining that dollar anymore and the sad thing is that it is everywhere .

 

i can dig it

 

You mean all these parts I have put on were supposed to fit without modifying

I thought it was natural