The Ford Barn

Chuck Kuntz · 09-13-2010, 06:55 AM

My friend and I purchased five pairs of Drake's new 1937-48 pumps and are very disappointed in them. Furthermore, Drake's people have refused to take them back because it has been over 30 days since they were purchased. Here are the problems that we found:
1. Mounting holes don't align with originals in the block
2. Pump casting is too large and requires grinding due to interference with
timing gear cover
3. Water neck is tapered instead of the correct constant diameter of the
original design. This pushes the hose off as the clamp in tightened.

I thought that Drake was making an effort to improve his customer relations. Guess not if this is any example.

rfv60 · 09-13-2010, 07:29 AM

chuck----have any way to post some pics?

thunderbirdesq · 09-13-2010, 07:54 AM

Wow, I bought a pair of their pumps about a year and a half ago and they didn't have any of the issues you mention here! In fact, other than the Drake logo being cast into them, which I wasn't crazy about, I was very impressed with the set I had.

19Fordy · 09-13-2010, 08:21 AM

Chuck K, Please post photos of those pumps, if possible. Thanks, JIM

1931 flamingo · 09-13-2010, 08:29 AM

Some of the problems listed were posted on the barn when these pumps first became available, especially the bolt holes. As I remember drake made things good. May have happened on the old Barm
Paul in CT

George/Maine · 09-13-2010, 10:09 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

They know of the problem about 6 months ago they were exchanging the bad ones with correct ones.5 pairs say $1000 I don,t think you will get money back,maybe exchange.If there name is on it should make good.

Charlie Stephens · 09-13-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck Kuntz

My friend and I purchased five pairs of Drake's new 1937-48 pumps and are very disappointed in them. Furthermore, Drake's people have refused to take them back because it has been over 30 days since they were purchased. Here are the problems that we found:
1. Mounting holes don't align with originals in the block
2. Pump casting is too large and requires grinding due to interference with
timing gear cover
3. Water neck is tapered instead of the correct constant diameter of the
original design. This pushes the hose off as the clamp in tightened.

I thought that Drake was making an effort to improve his customer relations. Guess not if this is any example.

Call them back and ask to speak to Bob directly. You probably just talked with a clerk that was spouting the 30 day company line as it was explained to him. Thirty days is reasonable for a business in most cases but this is their problem and they are aware of it. Post if they make it good or not, I bet they will make it good.

Charlie Stephens

Fred A · 09-13-2010, 12:15 PM

Charlie, you if any should know that in this hobby, guys buy components and may take quite a long time to use them. Reasonable may be if we decide we don't want the parts, however a defect that may put unanticipated or unadvertised burden on the buyer before the part can be used properly should be an ethically based exception. Just this year I made my first purchase from Drake, held back by bad reports on these sites, and was happy with the parts, but would have expected them to stand behind products where any chronic problem exists. Good Luck: Fred A

Tinker · 09-13-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

Some of the problems listed were posted on the barn when these pumps first became available, especially the bolt holes. As I remember drake made things good. May have happened on the old Barm
Paul in CT

Yes it was on the old ford barn. I believe it was made right by Drake. I'm not a engineer, but I would think that having bolt holes line up would be a plus.

Good luck

OLD...BILL · 09-13-2010, 12:58 PM

Tinker, your right, it was on the "old barn" Bob made it right and also posted and ask for feedback, or am I remembering to much, ...but yes call Bob, he's available.... OLD....BILL

laryh · 09-13-2010, 07:32 PM

Chuck you could take the pumps to Hershey. Bob is always there and you could point out the problems to Bob in person. Wait until there is a fair amount of people at Bob's tent then let it be known you have a problem.

5window · 09-13-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laryh

Chuck you could take the pumps to Hershey. Bob is always there and you could point out the problems to Bob in person. Wait until there is a fair amount of people at Bob's tent then let it be known you have a problem.

This is a very good idea and i like this part: Wait until there is a fair amount of people at Bob's tent.

I have found Bob easy to talk to though he doesn't know me from Louis Chevrolet and i haven't had anything to return.

Steel 35 · 09-13-2010, 08:41 PM

Call them back and ask to speak to Bob directly. You probably just talked with a clerk that was spouting the 30 day company line as it was explained to him. Thirty days is reasonable for a business in most cases but this is their problem and they are aware of it. Post if they make it good or not, I bet they will make it good.

Be aware there are two Bobs. Good sugestion!

Kentf1003 · 09-13-2010, 08:44 PM

A few people at the Hershey booth doesn't begin to compare with the large audience you are reaching right now on the Ford Barn forum.

Bob Drake and his people read this forum. They know that their reputation is on the line again.

Let us know if the company makes it right.

Frank The Plumber · 09-13-2010, 08:54 PM

Last time it came up on the old barn they were all over it, they all watch these forums, I noticed that with a couple of the manufacturers as soon as they start with the it's your fault and start drifting towards the company line that if you mention a few of the popular forums that there is an aire of cooperation that seems to return to the conversation.

quickgene · 09-13-2010, 11:24 PM

I'm in the market for pumps. Any vendor can get a bad string of parts. The thing that really matters is how they handle the solution. Nice to hear if these venders correct the problems or give you the run around. Keep us posted. Gene

HotRodmicky · 09-14-2010, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quickgene

I'm in the market for pumps. Any vendor can get a bad string of parts. The thing that really matters is how they handle the solution. Nice to hear if these venders correct the problems or give you the run around. Keep us posted. Gene

Speedway pumps are good, just don`t use the rubber gasket.

Chuck Kuntz · 09-14-2010, 05:28 AM

We were told that Bob Drake was overseas and was not available. We will take the pumps to him at Hershey. I will try to post some photos if I get time and can figure out how to.

Vic Piano · 09-14-2010, 06:22 AM

Just a suggestion but, why don't you have your original pumps rebuilt by "Skip"? You already know that the original pumps fit and Skip's rebuild/conversion will provide better cooling.

Frank Miller · 09-14-2010, 09:05 AM

To add to what Vic said the original pumps look original. Even if it is not required it still looks nicer to one that knows the diference.

09-13-2010, 06:55 AM	#1
Chuck Kuntz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 13,690	BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps My friend and I purchased five pairs of Drake's new 1937-48 pumps and are very disappointed in them. Furthermore, Drake's people have refused to take them back because it has been over 30 days since they were purchased. Here are the problems that we found: 1. Mounting holes don't align with originals in the block 2. Pump casting is too large and requires grinding due to interference with timing gear cover 3. Water neck is tapered instead of the correct constant diameter of the original design. This pushes the hose off as the clamp in tightened. I thought that Drake was making an effort to improve his customer relations. Guess not if this is any example.

09-13-2010, 07:29 AM	#2
rfv60 Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 20	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps chuck----have any way to post some pics? Last edited by rfv60; 09-13-2010 at 07:30 AM. Reason: spelling error

09-13-2010, 07:54 AM	#3
thunderbirdesq Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsport, PA Posts: 345	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps Wow, I bought a pair of their pumps about a year and a half ago and they didn't have any of the issues you mention here! In fact, other than the Drake logo being cast into them, which I wasn't crazy about, I was very impressed with the set I had.

09-13-2010, 08:21 AM	#4
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,942	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps Chuck K, Please post photos of those pumps, if possible. Thanks, JIM

09-13-2010, 08:29 AM	#5
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps Some of the problems listed were posted on the barn when these pumps first became available, especially the bolt holes. As I remember drake made things good. May have happened on the old Barm Paul in CT

09-13-2010, 10:09 AM	#6
George/Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mid coast Maine Posts: 1,878	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) They know of the problem about 6 months ago they were exchanging the bad ones with correct ones.5 pairs say $1000 I don,t think you will get money back,maybe exchange.If there name is on it should make good.

09-13-2010, 12:15 PM	#8
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Reasonable? Charlie, you if any should know that in this hobby, guys buy components and may take quite a long time to use them. Reasonable may be if we decide we don't want the parts, however a defect that may put unanticipated or unadvertised burden on the buyer before the part can be used properly should be an ethically based exception. Just this year I made my first purchase from Drake, held back by bad reports on these sites, and was happy with the parts, but would have expected them to stand behind products where any chronic problem exists. Good Luck: Fred A

09-13-2010, 12:58 PM	#10
OLD...BILL Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern California,coast Posts: 552	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps Tinker, your right, it was on the "old barn" Bob made it right and also posted and ask for feedback, or am I remembering to much, ...but yes call Bob, he's available.... OLD....BILL

09-13-2010, 07:32 PM	#11
laryh Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: western Pa. Posts: 72	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps Chuck you could take the pumps to Hershey. Bob is always there and you could point out the problems to Bob in person. Wait until there is a fair amount of people at Bob's tent then let it be known you have a problem.

09-13-2010, 08:41 PM	#13
Steel 35 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern OR. Posts: 222	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps Call them back and ask to speak to Bob directly. You probably just talked with a clerk that was spouting the 30 day company line as it was explained to him. Thirty days is reasonable for a business in most cases but this is their problem and they are aware of it. Post if they make it good or not, I bet they will make it good. Be aware there are two Bobs. Good sugestion!

09-13-2010, 08:44 PM	#14
Kentf1003 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 138	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps A few people at the Hershey booth doesn't begin to compare with the large audience you are reaching right now on the Ford Barn forum. Bob Drake and his people read this forum. They know that their reputation is on the line again. Let us know if the company makes it right.

09-13-2010, 08:54 PM	#15
Frank The Plumber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 693	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps Last time it came up on the old barn they were all over it, they all watch these forums, I noticed that with a couple of the manufacturers as soon as they start with the it's your fault and start drifting towards the company line that if you mention a few of the popular forums that there is an aire of cooperation that seems to return to the conversation.

09-13-2010, 11:24 PM	#16
quickgene Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: duluth mn. Posts: 37	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps I'm in the market for pumps. Any vendor can get a bad string of parts. The thing that really matters is how they handle the solution. Nice to hear if these venders correct the problems or give you the run around. Keep us posted. Gene

09-14-2010, 05:28 AM	#18
Chuck Kuntz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 13,690	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps We were told that Bob Drake was overseas and was not available. We will take the pumps to him at Hershey. I will try to post some photos if I get time and can figure out how to.

09-14-2010, 06:22 AM	#19
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps Just a suggestion but, why don't you have your original pumps rebuilt by "Skip"? You already know that the original pumps fit and Skip's rebuild/conversion will provide better cooling. __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

09-14-2010, 09:05 AM	#20
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: BEWARE Of Drake's V8 Waterpumps To add to what Vic said the original pumps look original. Even if it is not required it still looks nicer to one that knows the diference.