------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
From: "jonmac" <jonmac@ndirect.co.uk>
To: <Brad.Kahler@141.com>
Subject: Re: Remanufactured heads
Date: Wed, 6 May 1998 20:04:24 +0100
Brad
When I saw the download of copied mail coming in, I thought my
hard disk had thrown a rod somewhere in its depths!
This is all very interesting but I think from the outset, I'd better
make it clear that what I'm about to say is my own opinion and not
that of BMIHT. Also, when I stopped selling new cars, I went into the
parts business and that's what I've concentrated on since then, so I
do know a bit about supply and demand etc. That said, I have NOT yet
explored the catalogues of specialist suppliers nor do I know of the
plans of Heritage itself in supplying or adding new products. Those
are the disclaimers.
1. I've felt for some time that there is a demand for replacement
heads. There could well be one for blocks and cranks as well - but
let's keep to the heads side of things.
2. I feel a one-off casting run of say 500 is probably unrealistic.
Frankly, I think it's more - lots more. I don't know what the likely
failure rate of the castings is likely to be because I'm not an expert
on casting or the manufacture of the necessary cores. I feel that if
Heritage (or anyone else) started offering these things, they would
probably want some forward visibility of likely offtake over a period
and how long that period was likely to be. To the best of my
knowledge, cores themselves aren't cheap things to make, especially if
the 'run' is likely to be limited. Hence, a chicken and egg situation.
3. Then we come to supplier cost and onward cost to the customer
wherever he/she is likely to be. Heads are likely to be relatively
slow moving / high cost components. Certainly won't sell as fast as
oil filters and brake pads on the long term. With many suppliers
watching their inventory costs like hawks, I have a sneaky feeling
there could be an opinion at wholesaler/retailer level of "sure, we'll
sell them - but we won't stock them, so how/where do we lay our hands
on them quickly?" That's probably a worst case scenario but it should
be recognised. If wholesalers did put these units to stock, I'll bet
my knackered Suzuki Jeep to a brass farthing that they'll wack on the
margin to cover stockholding costs and this could put the price out of
reach to many.
4. There's a product liability aspect which Mr Foundry (who/whereever
he is) has to consider. BMIHT (I'm confident) will refuse to release
drawings to allow such a process to start unless Foundry undertakes
the full product liability aspect 100% on the nose. Is any foundry
likely to do that with realistic volumes being effectively either
unknown or low volume?
Those are some of the downsides. For the upsides..........?
5. I think it's a great idea. Particularly, I think the option
suggested by two (?) contributors in offering a basic unmachined head
is excellent - but don't expect a warranty on it! It certainly gives
the owner the opportunity of doing their own thing on combustion
chamber re-working and gasflowing ports. I like that concept. Equally,
I feel there are many people who wouldn't want this level of extra
machine shop cost but who would want a basic bolt-on head ready to use
unleaded fuel.
So where do we go from here?
Like everything else - it's 'the voice of the people.' If you shout
long enough and hard enough and kick in enough doors in the process,
someone somewhere might wake up to a potential profit opportunity AND
make the drawings available. Is anyone happy to try and record the
potential demand? It'll need the input of everyone on the list and all
of those who aren't on the net. As I see it, it's a question of
telling friends, getting details into club newsletters and quantifying
the feedback. Asking the question "If these parts were available now,
how many and what would you want?" Words are largely useless - numbers
and types are needed, such as:
Product - what is needed? A head, bell housing, block, crankshaft and
how many? Car - Model name and year? No. of Engine cylinders and cc?
State of finish - ready to bolt on or to modify yourself? How much are
people prepared to pay - and be reasonable. $5.00 comments should, as
Mark says, go in the bit bucket
For this concept to have any prospect of anyone taking notice of it,
this survey has to be over a number of months rather than days - so
perhaps it's time to get badgering people.
Thanks for the relay and by all means submit this response to the list
if you feel its worth it. Regards Jon Mac
Brad (In Lincoln Nebraska 402-464-1502)
1964 Spitfire4 BFC25720L (In "Teething" Mode right now)
1966 TR4A CT72398L (Car is finally home and ready for
Restoration)
1951 Dodge Truck 82217766 B-3-B-108 (Frame back in garage and ready to
paint)
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