Today I was performing final assembly in my engines class, I was on my way to a 100% in the class, until this happened....

I was installing my Supertech valve springs with Brian Crower steel retainers on stock valves, when I finally reached the last one. What a relief, only one more. Unfortunately, the gods continue to laugh at me for building a honda motor in an small block chevy class(not literally). I went to install it and the valve cotter clips and the end of the valve were recessed really far into the retainer. The keepers actually looked like they were ready to fall out of the retainer, and wouldnt hold the retainer tight. All of the other valve stems sat proud of the retainer, so me and my teacher decided to call up BC about the issue.

I have to admit, i probably sounded like an ******* when I called, i was upset, but needless to say I wasn't treated like a customer who had bought their product with whoever was on the phone. So when I was able to explain what the problem is, the representative told me I should receive my new single retainer in the mail the next day. Of course that is too late, I guess I can handle a 95% in the class instead? Needless to say, how the **** does this happen? I'm pretty sure I wont buy another Brian Crower part again.

Pictures show the differences in measurements between the bad retainer and the good retainer.

Good retainer

Bad retainer

Good retainer sticking proud

Bad retainer recessed


I though some of you would enjoy my pain from the day...

 

ok so you have a faulty part and the company is rectifying it by overnighting you a new one. . . And that is bad ?

Not to be a jerk but mistakes happen. It just so happen that your part is more important because it is directly correlative to a grade in a classroom , which blows for your sake.
But the company is solving the larger problem and is standing behind their product. That in itself is more than we can say for most in our industry

 

I think Brian's company and staff did a stand up job. Even you (OP) said that you werent treated like a customer when you were a "Dick" to the person on the phone.

When I made my Aluminum retainers years ago, I would make about 1000 pieces per day... Is one maybe two going to pass through without being caught as faulty or have a flaw?? Of coarse it will.

But to say that you would never buy another product from them is just dumb on your part.. A Quality company that does not copy someone elses product and they stand behind their product and their name and you wont support them ???? Come on!! Thats just ignorant..

 

Better understanding of tolerance analysis and production based manufacturing would answer that question. They took care of it immediately, makes me want to do business with them!

 

amen.


brian crower runs a good show.

 

It happens b/c PEOPLE are not perfect. So, you got a 95% in your class...I don't know any school where that's not an A.

I know you're a bit miffed about not getting the 100%...If your instructor knew about the situation, why are you being penalized? Maybe you should've checked everything BEFORE the last minute. Just a thought.

On the topic of Brian Crower's customer service....they OVERNIGHTED you a retainer. You can't ask for any more than that. In situations like this, it's not whether or not the company gets it right the 1st time, but how willing they are to MAKE it right. What did you expect them to do? Call up StarFleet and BEAM you a new retainer?!

You got a 95%...and you're upset? -- If you got an A in the class, what does it matter?
Brian Crower Overnighted you a new retainer, and you're upset -- Pull your head out of your ***!

 

x2, well put. These products are massed produced of course they are going to be a couple defects out the bunched, now if they brushed you off than it would be a different story, but they are helping you out. If you were rude with me and you need my help i would tell you to **** off.

 

Ill say one thing, I'm totally interested in watching the manufacturing process of retainers now, so I know what caused this.

 

ps

i was hoping some of you could just say "awwww shucks" instead of making me look like a jerk. now i feel even worse!

 

If thats the largest problem you encountered during your build, then I'd say your lucky.

Welcome to the world of building motors. It rarely works out the way you want it to the first time around

 

Agreed...

I have met Brian and we got to talking years ago when our kids were racing Motocross in CA.. He himself is an awesome guy. Always willing to help out whenever he can.

 

You still have an A?
You got treated a lot better then most of the shops (not just honda) would treat someone.

I'd say over all you got a pretty damn good deal.

 

pour Quality control....

 

not the biggest issue. Another good one was when the ARP rod bolts wouldnt fit into my stock rods. ARP had great customer service, but i decided to stick with OEM bolts. I wasnt happy with the idea of grinding down the heads of the bolts. There was other drama that could have been avoided had i known better when buying things. Then when all my valve keepers disappeared from my locker 3 weeks ago when i was supposed to begin final assembly, and having to go buy new ones, which is why final assembly was happening on the last day.

 

by the way, where does brian crower manufacture their parts?

 

I like how you changed your attitude once you see all the posts. Everyone is right, you response is over the top.

It is not their fault. They fixed the problem and OVER NIGHTED IT! more than most companies would do. And to call up a company and be a complete *** to them, that's just rude and you deserve the 95%.

If you were hoping for us to feel sorry for you, you should have made a different post. And you should feel bad. If I were you, I would call Brian Crower and try to find the person you talked to and apologize and thank them for their great customer service and great product.

What rods were you using and what ARP rod bolts did you buy? I never heard of having to grind down the heads of the bolts.

 

double post

 

i think my initial post was just taken too seriously, i wasnt looking for justice, just for a little kick in the dust for frustrating moments. i guess had i left out the 'i wouldnt buy again' comment it wouldnt have been so dramatic?

overnighting isnt a big deal, theyre less than an hour away from me. I could have picked it up if i wanted to.

i used the correct arp rod bolts, I was told by a couple guys with experience building motors that it wasnt the first time they had seen this. the people at ARP wanted me to send in the bolts for inspection but i just returned them.

 

seems like you teacher would understand and maybe even give you bonus points for checking the tolerances close like you did.

if i was your teacher i would think that this experience taught you a real world scenario, and you probably learned more from this situation than any other student in the class.

 

its a 2 class program, ill get 100% in the blueprinting, but because so many kids cant even get their short blocks done, he has to stay firm on grades to show that you really have to get the work done

 

one day i wana teach and have my own engine building class......B-series 101 and B-series advanced.

 

*signs up* Do we need our own cores? lol

I'm on the wagon here, Sounds like great customer service to me!

 

So I saw this post and thought I better check my retainers that I'm about to use, they're the BC steels. What do ya know, I have two retainers that sit lower on the keepper then the rest......Guess I'll be calling BC up tomarrow.

 

I would remove all the retainers and carefully check them. It only takes 1 piece to completely ruin an engine.
Although the service may be great, aftermarket parts sometimes are not...
Thank you for your input about your experience with these parts...I think this feedback is good for others in the market for valvetrain. Hope you get everything worked out!

 

PS

to those who care, it was shipped ground, arrived a day too late