I was wondering if there is a company that is making the clutch rod boot and the return spring that goes to the z bar and firewall, for a 69 Biscayne 4 speed setup. Thanks Geof Hope everyone had a Happy new Year.
Re: spring and boot
Posted by Geoffrey Elliott on 1/6/2018, 11:55 am, in reply to "spring and boot"
John, PM sent.
Re: spring and boot
Posted by Geoffrey Elliott on 1/4/2018, 7:27 am, in reply to "spring and boot"
Emil, I will let you know,thanks very much. Geof
Re: spring and boot
Posted by emil on 1/3/2018, 6:18 pm, in reply to "spring and boot"
Geoff: Let me know upon receipt. Sent out Saturday December 30th.
Re: spring and boot
Posted by John U on 1/1/2018, 1:20 pm, in reply to "spring and boot"
Geof , If you are going to install the 4 speed steering column , and you need the rod to lock the steering when you turn the engine off in reverse , I have one rod left . Thanks Happy New Year
Re: spring and boot
Posted by Geoffrey Elliott on 1/2/2018, 10:28 am, in reply to "Re: spring and boot"
Posted by Geoffrey Elliott on 1/1/2018, 11:29 am, in reply to "spring and boot"
Thanks Donny,Emil. I will see what I can come up with. There sure is nothing easy about these 4 speed conversions, but that is part of the fun of it. Thanks Geof
Re: spring and boot
Posted by donnyb on 1/1/2018, 10:55 am, in reply to "spring and boot" VIP Member and Board Expert
No, no one makes the 69 boot. There were a couple of folks who made the return springs in short runs. I have none left, but a few who bought more than one might be able to help. There was one that was OK for about 45 and one that was Spot On that was 75.
Interesting post from you Donny ... As a "VIP Member and Board Expert" can you clearly and expertly explain to me the difference between the (as you say) "$45.00 OK spring" and the "$75.00 spot-on spring" ... Cheers Glenn
Re: spring and boot
Posted by donnyb on 1/1/2018, 7:43 pm, in reply to "Re: spring and boot" VIP Member and Board Expert
Sure Glenn. First, I didn't say anything negative about the one at $45. I got one. Looked pretty good. The ones we had made in Detroit were absolutely spot on to the NOS original that I had and supplied. It was made by someone who did work for he OE's. The bends were a bit smoother and the tension was tighter and measured out to the original a bit closer, that's all. The $45.00 ones were a good value for the money for sure.
Donny, here’s why your comments ticked-me-off When I was trying to source one of these spring I found a post by you on another site stating that you had a number of NOS ones in your possession, so I sent you photos and measurements of the spring that members here had sent me, and asked you to confirm if the correct spring looked like this so that I could have one made. I asked twice, your first response was “next time I go out to the shed I will try and have a look around”, the response to my second request weeks later was” haven’t been to the shed yet, don’t know when I’ll get there” … I figured either the shed was an exceptionally long way away or you just weren’t interested.
I eventually purchased a used spring on eBay, it was an exact match to the information I already had. However before I had one manufactured I posted a photo of the spring on this site and asked if anyone could confirm that it was in fact correct. Again you chose to make no comment.
We have had words in the past and you don’t like me, you never answer any questions I post here, so your lack of interest was not unexpected.
What I find quizzical is that now having been involved yourself in reproducing this spring, you all of a sudden have an opinion on my efforts.
My concern with your comments is that anyone I supplied a spring to may now think because of your comments that they have an inferior product, let me tell you why they haven't.
To be blunt you don’t know what you are talking about.
Firstly I never sold any spring to anyone ever for $45.00 (see below).
And I never sold you a spring at all, so I have no idea what $45.00 spring you have or what you’re talking about.
Secondly you say you “didn't say anything negative”. BS, here’s what you said … The bends are not smooth enough … the tension should be tighter … and the measurements are not correct, then you say “that’s all” (you said). Well there’s actually nothing about the properties of a spring left to criticize, unless of course you didn’t like the color either.
The springs I supplied are of exceptional quality. They were made in a third generation family owned business, now run hands-on by the grandson of the original owner on the exact same heavy machinery that has been making springs since the fifties. I stood and watched every one of these springs being made. It was like being in a time-warp watching a skilled operator working these wonderful old machines. The bends are perfect the tension is perfect and the dimensions are as good as original.
Anyone that purchased a spring only needs to have a close look at one to see that what you say is rubbish.
Please post a photo or two showing your observations and a few comparison photos of your spring. I would be impressed to see the difference, if any, in the quality of the two, especially as one cost $35.00 including OS postage and the other costing over twice as much at $75.00, + postage? Maybe the difference in price has more to do with making a good profit mark-up than a difference in quality. I also offered a discount on postage if more than one spring was purchased. If someone purchased 8 springs, as many did, their cost all-up was $166.00. Eight of your springs would cost $600.00. I would suggest your negative comments are an attempt to justify the price difference because I can’t see quality being such an imbalance in the price.
Good for you for making a buck, bad on you for trying to justify it at my expense.
I went to a lot of effort to produce these springs and get them to members. I did not do it for profit, I did it for myself to start with. I had ten made; I kept three, gave two away to members, and decided to ask if anyone would like to purchase any of the ones I had left. The response was overwhelming. I worked out a cost for the quantity needed and had another batch made, however when I went to ship them I goofed and had under estimated the cost to insure such a large amount/package and had to cover the cost myself, so trying to do it at cost as a thank you for the help I have received on here over the years actually cost me, I lost money. I accepted that.
But what I won’t accept are self-serving rubbishing off-the-cuff remarks that are not even close to being factual … Not from anyone, I don’t care who you are. Cheers Glenn …
I have a number of the return springs that a member on this site got from I believe a source in Australia selling. This is the return spring that connects the Z-bar to the inner fender mount on the driver's side of our cars. I also have a number of the correct clutch rod boots that BIGIRON was instrumental in molding, but they lack the metal backing plate that was molded in the originals. A small but complex piece that could be remade but probably costly to do so....
BIGIRON molded a new boot for me but I was fortunate enough to have an old one that had the metal retainer but boot was ripped bad.Very nice job!
Re: spring and boot
Posted by BIGIRON on 1/7/2018, 9:16 am, in reply to "Re: spring and boot" VIP Member and Board Expert
If anyone is interested in having their original boot remolded with their original retainer, we can do that. Working on other related projects at this time, also.
BGCheck out the ImpalaArchive. Cars, parts and details.
Hello Lynn: Great hearing you are still hitting the long ball! Will contact you shortly! Best Regards, Emil
Re: spring and boot
Posted by BIGIRON on 1/8/2018, 10:35 am, in reply to "Re: spring and boot" VIP Member and Board Expert
Emil!,
My friend, I've been ducking the long balls of others more often than hitting them of late.
One of the considerations of going down range that we have to adjust for. The trip is always clearer in the rearview mirror than through the windshield!
See you soon!
Lynn
Check out the ImpalaArchive. Cars, parts and details.