Aluminum head shortage ??
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 36
From: Annapolis MD
Aluminum head shortage ??
Now that the motor is home (arrived last night) I went to order the new heads and found out there is at least a 4 week leadtime. Seems there is a shortage on aluminum heads (AFR at least) and they can't make enough to keep up with demand. Guess it will be a few more weeks before I can swap off the Pro Action iron heads (ebay bound ... unless any forum takers get them first) and put on the AFR's so I can start header fabrication, which is why I needed to finalize the engine/heads combo in the first place.
-Greg
-Greg
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 5,877
Likes: 1
From: Park Ridge IL
Re: Aluminum head shortage ?? (GregP)
I haven't heard about an aluminum head shortage, but it's probably similar to the roller lifter shortage. Due to the economic slowdown, alot of manufacturing companies slowed production to reduce inventory. Now that their inventory is either depleted or low, they are starting to begine production again, but it takes a few weeks to get the goods from the foundry through the supply chain and out to the retailers. It really goes to show you that even though there are many retailers of certain products, there may only actually be just a handful of manufacturers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: Chandler AZ
Re: Aluminum head shortage ?? (GregP)
AFR has always had 2-3 week lead time- more if you deviate at all (larger valves, springs, porting.) I don't think they start the machining/assembly till you order them. Sounds like they're backed up a little more these days.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 36
From: Annapolis MD
Re: Aluminum head shortage ?? (redvetracr)
Sorry, they are ported 235cc 23* heads, small chambers (about 59cc). Said the flow was "about" 310 intake 220 exhaust at 0.7 lift ... but they didn't flow this set. Matching ported Super Victor intake.
-Greg
-Greg
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Re: Aluminum head shortage ?? (GregP)
Give http://www.martelbros.com a try. Unless your just hung on AFR you might try Darts 227 cc
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Re: Aluminum head shortage ?? (GregP)
Dunno about afr or where their foundry is. If the west coast port strike continues there'll surely be problems ... a whole lotta crank, head, rod, rocker etc castings/forgings/parts are from Asia & Australia. No doubt there's a azzload of that stuff on the water & in port right now.
The US heavy truck, light truck & auto mfg's are also supported by offshore crank sources. I've been concerned for several years that this is a SNAFU just waitin to bust open ... & places our nation at great strategic risk. With no cranks you can't build trucks to move food etc. Let's hope this strike ends ASAP ... and corporate-gov't planners take a close look at offshore-sourcing of strategic goods. No, the sky's not falling ... but common sense has.
The US heavy truck, light truck & auto mfg's are also supported by offshore crank sources. I've been concerned for several years that this is a SNAFU just waitin to bust open ... & places our nation at great strategic risk. With no cranks you can't build trucks to move food etc. Let's hope this strike ends ASAP ... and corporate-gov't planners take a close look at offshore-sourcing of strategic goods. No, the sky's not falling ... but common sense has.
Instructor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
Not really a strike OT
Just a minor correction here, not that the result is any different. It's a lock out, not a strike.
But it looks like that isn't important now that GW has used the law to open the ports again for an 80 day coolong off period.
It was a law enacted because Unions called some 1300 strikes during WWII. I'd sure hate to run out of ammo on the front lines of Normandy because of something as minor, in comparision, as a benefits package!
But it looks like that isn't important now that GW has used the law to open the ports again for an 80 day coolong off period.
It was a law enacted because Unions called some 1300 strikes during WWII. I'd sure hate to run out of ammo on the front lines of Normandy because of something as minor, in comparision, as a benefits package!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Re: Not really a strike OT (Doug2500)
Taft-Hartley Act. Right, technically this a lock-out ... but work slowdown smells like unannounced strike to me. Glad things are moving again. Still hope strategic goods sees change ... probably not ... too much Chinese money flowing into election funds. Ditto on ammo vs benies.