Problem with Drake fuel neck

[Fourdy]

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BobDrake is a love hate experience to me. When the parts fit properly (which I believe happens most of the time) life is good. I once complained to Bob in person that a part didn't fit properly and he asked if it was one of his parts with his name on it and I told him I was sure it was. He told me to check it then get back to him. Oooops, not his. Got one of his and all was well.

Spent 2 whole days trying to install the window and channels on my 40 tudor rear glass. Finally took them all apart and compared the channels to the originals that I had kept (and should have bead blasted to use again) and found that the pieces were welded together up to 6" off from the originals putting all the geometry out of whack. Ended up cutting and re-welding plus making new rollers as his new ones were non rollers which woujld put a lot of wear on the channels.

I believe I know why this happens having dealt with Taiwan in building boats. Scenario - - - Bob orders 500 gas necks and says they must look like the original. Supplier says "no problem". When Bob gets the shipment it is found that they are not right. Supplier says, no problem, they are close and already made. Bob can then not sell the bad fitting product and lose all the money he has paid out or try to get them out to the market and recoup his money. I have told Bob that I would feel more kind to him if he would in fact tell us when an item is not up to his Bob Drake standard as he has to know it when the shipment arrives. I asked one of his guys at the Puyallup swap meet if they had the misaligned mounting holes on the water pumps and he said he hadn't heard about the problem. That can't really be true and it doesn't instill much confidence in them.

I now feel that anything I buy from ANY supplier is a "good start". Don't take me wrong, I am thankful for effort and hard work of suppliers to fill our parts needs. Just need them to be more up front with us.

My .02

Fourdy