Thread: Point Alignment
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Old 07-06-2025, 09:24 AM   #20
2speed
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Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 105
Default Re: Point Alignment

Quote:

FWIW, there is a strong misunderstanding (-or expectation) that replacement parts are supposed to fit exactly as the original item did when new. During the 1950s thru the turn of the Century, this was just understood ...and reproduction parts were used as a last resort when new original parts (NOS or NORS) could not be found. With a minor exception by manufacturers such as Al LePore or others, most reproduction or aftermarket parts were not 'plug & play' quality because the end-user was not paying for that level of quality. And just so this is also clear, there are a few people that will say they would rather pay for the best quality however it has been proven repeatedly that these number of hobbyists by percentages is very small. I will also tell you that from my perspective of being in the profession, poor quality aftermarket parts for collector vehicles is the same across the board with all marques. When restoring a Mustang, a vintage Volkswagen, a Tri5 Chevrolet, a 60s-70s Ford or Chevy P/U, etc., rarely do aftermarket or reproduction parts fit when removed from the shipping package or box. So Model-A reproduction parts do not have the franchise on parts not fitting.

Ok, I get that a body part needs fitting, or a fairly complicated piece might not be quite right, but points are kind of the heart and soul of the machine. They should be right.


Also this isn't 1950 anymore. CNC machines are capable of holding to the micron. Just recently I had to modify my distributor intermediate drive shaft for correct length. Others had to modify the same and the slots. There is no excuse, NONE. I can make one of these in my home shop if I had to, it's pretty simple. Today with a CNC lathe, live tooling, and double chucks, you can turn them out like popcorn, and have them be perfect. I know this because I work at a bearing manufacturer that has that equipment and does those kind of operations on parts. The shaft is about $5. Someone is going to bitch that it costs 6 or 7 dollars and actually fits correctly?
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