Tom's challenge of the Butcher - distributor gear follies part IV

[Tom Wells]

Well, to sum up, here is a quote from rkack@ford.com:

"I did not respond because I have explained our conclusion. The grease does not have enough resistance to wear the gear. And again the shaft has no metal transfer that would show it was dragging and caused the wear. The grease was probably overheated from the gear grinding away. We changed distributors because the Duraspark was no longer available. This is my last e-mail, this review is closed."

Here's my summary back to Rodney:

"Hello Rodney,

I have read and re-read your note.

"incorrect installation"

is the only conclusion that I could find that you stated.

->Ford did the installation of the distributor gear.<-

This review may be closed from your perspective, but this kind of response from Ford requires me to escalate my request for reimbursement.

Regards,

Tom"

My message to the forum is

AVOID the Ford crate motors!

If you recall, this is the same engine that was shipped to me with a visually defective rod! Ford, under protest, replaced the rods, but I paid $600 to have the engine rebalanced and reassembled.

Now Ford has refused to put anything toward the over $2200 in damages and labor that the failed distributor gear cost me directly.

CONCLUSION:

If you want a Ford engine, you'll be ill-advised to get it from Ford!

Now I need to get some e-mail addresses for Super Ford etc so I can vent to them too

Tom

[Tom Wells]

UPDATE:

Today, the BBB complaint for the distributor/cam failure was filed against Ford.

So far it's Tom -$2,800, Ford +$6,800 for the crate motor score

When you're putting the distributor into your engine, just pay attention to Tom & the Butcher, and you can't go wrong

It's still more fun to drive than I can describe Just passed 4,000 miles since August - Yeeeehaaaa (and 2376 car alarms set off...)

Tom

[cobrashoch]

Tom - Been watching from a far on your plight. Don't forget to keep a eye on that damn gear. Mark everthing and pull/inspect that hot dog every oil change I would. Your experiences with crate engines should be a forewarning to the wise as I have found something wrong in every crate motor from the factory that I have seen torn down. Just call me skeptical Ron.
cobrashock