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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