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New Manufacture Engine Components

To: spitfires@Autox.Team.Net, triumphs@Autox.Team.Net
Subject: New Manufacture Engine Components
From: "Brad Kahler" <Brad.Kahler@141.com>
Date: Tue, 5 May 1998 09:18:19 -0600
Listers,

I had another chat with my friend that is involved in manufacturing 
engine heads and other components.  They are seriously looking into 
doing short runs (500) of engine heads for various vehicles.  They 
would basically be suppliers to places like the Big 3 and other 
smaller sales outfits.  Basically what he was telling me that for it 
to be profitable enough and still keep the cost down they need an 
order for approximately 500 heads.  Once they receive an order the 
total time in the loop is somewhere around 6 months.  The biggest 
technical problem they have at the moment is finding a foundry that 
is capable of producing cast iron castings of high quality that is 
located here in the states.

Apparently most places only want to deal in aluminum castings 
anymore.  They can also do crankshafts, connecting rods and some 
other misc items.  What it boils down to is if the demand is 
there they would make them.  (so whats new!)  Good news is that they 
may have located a foundtry here in the states.  He will be visiting 
them sometime in the next week or so to work out the details.  

So.....  in a way its up to us to make sure that places like Moss, 
TRF and VB know that there is a demand for these parts.  
Surprisingly, the rough (very rough) estimated wholesale cost of 
something like a spitfire 1500 head was only around $325 delivered to 
seller.

Off course there is always the sellers markup.  But at least from my 
perspective I was expecting the wholesale price to be higher.

I would like to do an informal survey of my own and find out how many 
of you would now or in the foreseeable future buy a new manufactured 
head for a spit 1500.  If so, should it be stock or have some mods 
done to it?

Part of the problem they have is gauging demand.  Which is 
understandable,at least in my mind anyway.

Sorry if this turned out to be a boring writeup.  I just felt some of 
you might be interested!!!!

Thanks

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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