Maybe I'm having a string of bad luck, but it seems Harbor Freight quality control guys are working at some of the "big" names. In the last year I have had 4 components screw up on me with very few hours installed time on them. First one was a new Holley electric fuel pump(silver series) that lasted exactly 6 months on a six cylinder Falcon. Second was a Comp Cams hydraulic lifter that never even made it into the engine because of a crack running down the side of it, right out of the box. Third was a new MSD Blaster coil that lasted mere minutes after the top popped past the crimp on the casing and it spewed oil everywhere. Overfilled with oil at the factory? That was the first time I've had a coil blow its top. Fourth is a new Holley 600 vac sec on my 390 that began flooding over after the third month of occaisional use. It's likely just the float setting is too high, but they've done away with the external float adjustment and the check the level screws on the side of the bowls. Anyone familiar with this " upgrade"? I presume I have to remove the bowl and bend a tab on the float? It's a shame that the most dependable parts available nowdays are the used parts that have been removed from use in the past and kept in the bottom of the toolbox as get-me-home spares.
No, because nearly every product that we buy is from somewhere other than the U.S. The Baby Boomers turned their back on Detroit Iron in the 70s and started to buy Toyotas and Datsuns.
They are still doing it today,the couple I work for that are in their early 60s drive a Honda and a Nissan.
I'm a baby boomer and I drive American trucks. But I do agree that the qualirt has dropped considerably. You can't build stuff in China or Tiwan and expect quality. Lee
I have a friend who was recently telling me he bought Flathead motor mounts from Drake & Dennis Carpenter & they looked like crap.
I'm 56 and never bought an import. That being said; you should have seen some of the shit the "Big Three" was turning out from the mid '70's on. Add to that the gas prices taking off and the rest is history.
I disagree. China has a space program and I know firsthand how much quality is necessary in that area. The problem is the American businessman wants the cheapest part available to maximize his profit. He sends out minimal drawings and low or no inspection requirements. People look around to find the cheapest part available. We get what we pay for. When we as consumers start returning the poorly made parts to the retailer and step up to pay for the quality parts the problem will take care of itself. Return the parts and make sure the retailer (especially the owner, not the guy at the parts counter) knows why. Charlie Stephens
Your story reminds me of another. A man was in the hospital after a heart attack. He woke up to his wife at the side of the bed. "Honey, I want a divorce." "What!? After all I've done done for you? Who helped you rebuild your buisness after the fire? Me! Who helped you through the pain of losing both parents in that aweful accident? Me! Who was by your side when you were arrested by mistake and helped you get through it? Me! Now here I am at your hospital bed to be there for you again and you want a divorce? Give me one good reason!" "Mabel, you're a fuckin jinx." Sorry about your bad streak, but I had to, ya know?
Pretty well said Charlie, but I do believe the American Consumer is MORE to blame than the businessman. If we didn't flock to Wally World to buy socks in a pack of twenty for $2.00 that start unravelling before you even get home, the businessman would figure out real quick that the consumer demands a better product. If no one buys the crap, then no one will make the crap - at least not for long. But instead everyone goes to the Chinese Tool Store (HF), Craftsman and Snap On try to compete, and then we complain there are no more quality tools. Hmmm, who's to blame here?
well said hotroddon, i sold parts for almost 30 yrs on and off.the most heard statement from customers. whats the cheapest ya got. back then there was no china shit! cause it was all japan or tiawan.or korea.
I know. I am a late boomer myself, born in 63. Too young to drive in the 70s (got my Drivers License in 79) but old enough to know what was going on and I remember the gas crisis real well. The odd and even days. The only thing I liked from the 70s is the music.
Exactly. As Walt Kelley said through his character Pogo. "We Have Met The Enemy and He Is Us!" Everyone wants to buy high quality things, but don't want to pay a price that would allow people making the products in the US to earn enough to buy the same product themselves.
It really frosts my ass to spend 25-50% more for the "good, name brand " parts and still recieve the same exact POS part as the cheap price will get you. I bought a voltage regulator the other day, paid $50 for "made in the USA instead of $24 for the cheap one. I got home and pulled it from the box and it looked just like the cheap one, looked at the box where I thought it said made in the USA, it said...." packaging MADE IN THE USA". I was pissed I sure miss the days when you really got what you paid for.
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