I talked with a rep last week at NSRA Louisville about the riser and was told they are working on their own, hopefully within a year. Similar story, they sold the last ones they had and didn’t make copies beforehand.
Here’s some photos from the Jerry Ruth auction showing the raised fan shaft in his ‘32 Roadster. That fan is really out there hanging in the breeze, no pun intended, but I saw a very similar one years ago in a magazine article. They must work but sure do look sketchy. Obviously the auction house gave no details on the components used.
@Fordors sketchy for sure, I would love to put a indicator on the fan blade hub and see how much she deflects
Afternoon. I just spoke to Aaron at Vintage Air and he frankly said things are looking bleak. They thought they had found someone to cast them and they have gone out of business. I asked if they had looked at O'Bryan Truckers, cause they seem to be doing a lot of casting. He said he would speak to his boss. Not looking good. I have been checking eBay daily.
It is pretty sad but thats the outlook on casters. Most have been around awhile and have nobody to take it over not to mention having to deal with epa and osha issues. Not sure why anybody would take over a casting operation. This is one i made for a model a conversion. It actually drops it to line up with radiator
Unfortunately we are in a transition period with new technology just around thee corner. Spray metal printing will be like 3d printing hopefully lol and will be cheap to own someday. I have a buddy that made a intake manifold with his name on it with the new technology it was really cool
Technology has been in place for several years. My company machined some intakes that were sand printed around 5 years ago. It's still rather expensive for the average builder. It will probably become more economical with advances in technology. I doubt it cost effective for the making the risers as nobody has stepped up to take over making them.
@SDS has the info and might be working on it but it still take awhile to even get to a product. If you’re in need now keep looking on used ads. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/zips-water-pump-riser.1352977/page-2
I think a talented metal fabricator could build two individual risers out of 1"x2" box tubing to make risers. The 4 holes per side needed to bolt to the block and water pump could be sleeved with thick wall tubing and welded in; then machined smooth for a sealed surface. Ends of the tubing just welded shut to seal them off. Powder coat them silver or whatever color wanted. Could easily fab them to various raised heights depending on what worked best.
I was lucky enough to catch a riser on E bay. Just got it and it looks fine. I was surprised that it was cast iron. I thought they were aluminum. No markings on it anywhere except the words "patent pending". Must be an early one.
If anyone is looking. Not my auction. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1686560227...cKUJyrMQWsjMInAmKKWEjSklA=|tkp:Bk9SR6K-yJ2OaA
Seller owes you a commission. But, for anyone thinking about going into business reproducing these, it shows what the market could bring. That thing will prolly be $500+ delivered by the end…. Good old supply and demand at its best.
people will pay more when they think it is the "last one" . how much did they cost when they were available? I bet it is a really tiny market. these days most "street rodders" are probably using off topic engines and electric fans. The traditional hot rod builders are the smallest segment of the hobby and a majority will more than likely use a cad, olds, nailhead or other vintage engine. leaving a really skinny market for these , otherwise the Zips people would still be making them?
February of this year when I told myself I better buy it because this outfit was the only place that had “one”.
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