Repro tinware - Shocking!

[67westy]

I've read about problems with repro tinware in the past and always thought it couldn't be that bad. Now having experienced trying to fit a set I completely understand all the complaints!

Got a full set from VW heritage, was in 2 minds about it I ended up thinking it would make the install easier than straightening and repairing the original stuff. Guy on the phone said it might "need a little fettling" but is generally ok. So after trying to fit it for a while and absolutely nothing lining up properly I compared it to the original stuff on my old engine. Now in my opinion for it to "need a little fettling" it has to be vaguely the same shape to start with. Old against new most were not even close! For example the fan housing was about an inch too narrow, I imagine with a significant effort most of it could be made to work but it just didn't seem to be worth spending hours of my life on.

I've now started cleaning straightening and repairing the old stuff after wasting a my afternoon on this repro crap. I think I'll be using 2 pieces from the full set out of necessity. Tomorrow heritage will be getting a phone call telling them it's being returned as not fit for purpose :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: I imagine they sell it as it's the best stuff available, if it is I'd hate to see the other stuff!

Rant over, avoid it like the plague people and find proper stuff

 

[Moseley]

It always makes me wonder why some repro stuff is so *****. Surely the companies who manufacturer it are using some form of press / mould, so you'd assume that if the first one comes out crap, it'd get tweaked until it was acceptable?! And then it should be a case of repeatability.

No wonder the price of OG stuff is so high in comparison.

 

[*Sam*]

What are the 2 bits your missing mate ? I might have them.

 

[67westy]

What are the 2 bits your missing mate ? I might have them.

Cheers for the offer mate I am using the piece behind the pulley and the rear piece with the air holes in. I think I have to use the repro bits for these as I'm going to twin carbs and need heat risers etc blocking off.

It always makes me wonder why some repro stuff is so *****. Surely the companies who manufacturer it are using some form of press / mould, so you'd assume that if the first one comes out crap, it'd get tweaked until it was acceptable?! And then it should be a case of repeatability.

No wonder the price of OG stuff is so high in comparison.

I guess they see it's crap and think there's nothing better available so they sell it regardless :evil:

 

[*Sam*]

Ok no worries dude

 

[rlepecha]

Don't suppose the fan housing was one of the Scat 36HP style ones? They are renowned for the vanes falling out of position inside and blocking the air from getting to the cylinders... The one on my bus had done it when I bought the bus!

 

[67westy]

Don't suppose the fan housing was one of the Scat 36HP style ones? They are renowned for the vanes falling out of position inside and blocking the air from getting to the cylinders... The one on my bus had done it when I bought the bus!

Ohhh that doesn't sound good. Not sure what make it is as it had no stickers on it. It was definitely not wide enough though, pretty basic dimension to get right

 

[Trikky2]

If it was too narrow maybe it was for a 1200 beetle?

 

[thejinx]

I bought my'n from VeeWee when they had the 35% offers. It's ok. Doesn't sound like VW Heritage though. Everything I have from there has been fine. Maybe it is a packing error and they have sent the wrong one.

 

[67westy]

If it was too narrow maybe it was for a 1200 beetle?

It has the dog house bit so I think it is inended for a 1600tp

 

[67westy]

I bought my'n from VeeWee when they had the 35% offers. It's ok. Doesn't sound like VW Heritage though. Everything I have from there has been fine. Maybe it is a packing error and they have sent the wrong one.

Worth knowing for the future

 

[67westy]

To be fair to heritage they have been good about the returns and acknowledge its not the best fit but all they can get. Customer service great from them as usual.

 

[Trikky2]

Agreed about Heritage having good customer care

It does seem odd though that the manufacturer made the housing so much too narrow.

I wonder if maybe they have adapted their 1200 shroud with dog house fittings whilst not realising the 1600 engine is wider?

 

[69PROJECT]

I'm saying this with a little bit of sarcasm but if you want something like a new engine etc Jesus jumps on the thread with part no.s and quality assurances

Where is the vw heritage god when you need him...

 

[67westy]

Agreed about Heritage having good customer care

It does seem odd though that the manufacturer made the housing so much too narrow.

I wonder if maybe they have adapted their 1200 shroud with dog house fittings whilst not realising the 1600 engine is wider?

I found it odd too, took the new one off and slotted the old one in and it was snug as you would expect so obviously something amiss with it

 

[Mags]

Without ranting too much I've been getting fed up with pretty much all repro stuff lately. Heritage's service is great but they have let me down on some stupid stuff like the door check pins listed for EB's are just totally useless but other places like C&C sell the correct ones. Same story with Rear light seals, the Heritage ones were useless, I found ones from JK or C&C (I think) were correct. I'll stop now.

 

[67westy]

Without ranting too much I've been getting fed up with pretty much all repro stuff lately. Heritage's service is great but they have let me down on some stupid stuff like the door check pins listed for EB's are just totally useless but other places like C&C sell the correct ones. Same story with Rear light seals, the Heritage ones were useless, I found ones from JK or C&C (I think) were correct. I'll stop now.

There is a lot of absolute shitout there. I didn't get our engine installed this weekend in then end due to wasting time on badly fitting parts. The only "new" bit that went on easily was a NOS heat exchanger, fiitted like a glove! Well worth the money for the amount of time it saves. I would happily pay a premium for parts that fit properly but the manufacturers seem happy to knock out cheap and shoddy parts.

 

[Mags]

Without ranting too much I've been getting fed up with pretty much all repro stuff lately. Heritage's service is great but they have let me down on some stupid stuff like the door check pins listed for EB's are just totally useless but other places like C&C sell the correct ones. Same story with Rear light seals, the Heritage ones were useless, I found ones from JK or C&C (I think) were correct. I'll stop now.

There is a lot of absolute shitout there. I didn't get our engine installed this weekend in then end due to wasting time on badly fitting parts. The only "new" bit that went on easily was a NOS heat exchanger, fiitted like a glove! Well worth the money for the amount of time it saves. I would happily pay a premium for parts that fit properly but the manufacturers seem happy to knock out cheap and shoddy parts.

Oh yes, 2 brand new heat exchangers, totally ***** fit and a major ball ache to get the exhaust and heating tubes to line up. I'd love a pair of NOS ones. I even splurged on a new original style steering wheel at the Volks world show to try and keep the OG look, Looked good but the centre was about 10mm too tall stopping the horn press from working, nightmare. Luckily the chaps at C&C were helpful and I've sent it back, hopefully for a full refund. So friggin annoying though.

 

[Alex VW Heritage]

I'm saying this with a little bit of sarcasm but if you want something like a new engine etc Jesus jumps on the thread with part no.s and quality assurances

Where is the vw heritage god when you need him...

Thread started @ 8:15pm on a friday night,

I have been having a life outside of your troubles, is that ok? :lol:

(this is getting very unreasonable like certain other forums, normally the EB forum is full of common sense)

@67Westy

I look forward to seeing the photo's of the differences so I can have a look at detail into it for you.

Repro stuff is not the best but I have it fitted to my engine with no problem at all, makes me think you may have the wrong stuff???

Anywho's get in touch with the sales team on 01273 444 000 and they will arrange a return for you but as said if you could take a few comparison photo's so I can see the issues I can look into it in further detail.

My email address is [email protected]

 

[67westy]

I'm saying this with a little bit of sarcasm but if you want something like a new engine etc Jesus jumps on the thread with part no.s and quality assurances

Where is the vw heritage god when you need him...

Thread started @ 8:15pm on a friday night,

I have been having a life outside of your troubles, is that ok? :lol:

(this is getting very unreasonable like certain other forums, normally the EB forum is full of common sense)

@67Westy

I look forward to seeing the photo's of the differences so I can have a look at detail into it for you.

Repro stuff is not the best but I have it fitted to my engine with no problem at all, makes me think you may have the wrong stuff???

Anywho's get in touch with the sales team on 01273 444 000 and they will arrange a return for you but as said if you could take a few comparison photo's so I can see the issues I can look into it in further detail.

My email address is [email protected]

Hi alex,

I don't expect you to work all the time

Unfortunately I didn't get any photos and the parts are already boxed up waiting to go back, but changing the new fan housing for the old one highlighted the difference in width. Old was snug in the cut outs and the new had gaps each end so wouldn't cool effectively. Maybe I got a bad batch but there was no way the fan housing would fit properly, the cylinder head tins possibly could of been cut and reshaped and I didn't get as far as checking the under head tins but at this point I had lost complete faith (and a rather large chunk of time). I kept the bits I really needed and reused the originals where possible.

I spoke to sales on Saturday and have an RMA number, I just need to clarify a couple of things before returning it.