Thread: Part quality, is it just me ?

I have been replacing parts of my 1982 RRC as I repair/rebuild it but I have had a few issues.

1. The rear trailing arm suspension bushes where the three bolts attach them to the chassis did not line up.
I contacted the retailer and he passed on my concerns to the manufacturer and there response was that my calculations were correct and the parts they make did not match their original OEM part that they copied from, and were surprised as they have sold thousands of them.
I was advised to grind the holes till the fasteners fit and they will still warrant the parts.
They didn’t advise if they are going to fix their tooling to ensure future parts are correct.
F955AC6F-742D-43D6-BE66-28263A5FC228.jpg Original part, 87 mm.
33235080-5847-4567-B715-17C1916BA799.jpg Replacement pat, 89 mm.

2. My original fuel sender was not working so I bought a replacement one.
9B0B8C9E-EE8E-48D6-88F8-EE649E03F895.jpg
I ordered one identical to the bottom (corroded) one but they sent me the top one.
The replacement one doesn’t have an inlet filter and has different electrical connections.
Their response was that I can fit the filter off my old one and I can slide the sleeves back on the connectors and they will fit.
With no alternative, I connected the sender to my harness prior to fitting it to the tank just to test that everything worked.
Turned the ignition on and the gauge shows empty. Raise the float and the fuel gauge shows full.
Lower the float to the bottom (empty) position and the Low Fuel warning light did not come on.
Connected the low fuel connector of the harness to earth and the fuel light comes on, so there is a sender issue.
On closer inspection, there isn’t a wiper and contact in the sender for the low fuel warning light. There is a track to the terminal but nothing to provide a circuit.
D4DF0633-DE36-4D2A-BEC2-0B0FE95BFED4.jpg
So much for this being the “equivalent” part.

3. While I wait for the fuel sender issue response I decided to fit the new fuel tank that I bought to replace the very rusty one I had.
It fitted in well until I decided to block off the fuel return line from the carburettor. The previous owner fitted a 350 Holley with no return line.
The original connection is 3/4” above the seam.
424287A6-EF2D-4092-BCDD-1EEB68024203.jpg
The replacement tank has the connection 1-1/2” above the seam so a return hose is difficult to fit as the chassis cross rail is in the way.
73C68882-A749-4CB0-922B-3CF3F345C9C5.jpg

Is it really that hard to copy an original part so that they meet the minimum requirements of Form, Fit and Function.
I’m not expecting too much am I

Regards
Phil

IME Superpro bushes are superbly designed and made and fit perfectly every time..................which is usually many years apart.

cheers, David L