sle2115
NRA LIFE MEMBER
Agnem said:That may be true with certain parts, but there is still a quality difference in a lot of stuff that I can see and feel. Sure, Ford doesn't make oil filters. We've known that all along, and I'm sure a ton of other parts they don't make too. BUT, I DO believe that what they get from their sources is better in a lot of ways and from a business sense, it is logical. No doubt there are quality agreements with their suppliers that have to be met. Ford dealers are still servicing these trucks (even if they don't know what they are doing in a lot of cases, and maybe don't even like working on them), and Ford service still comes with a warranty, so if the parts are crappy, it costs everybody in the end, so there is a much higher standard of quality. Case in point - a water pump. Since Towcat specifically mentioned it, so will I. When I did a water pump for Landscapeman, he bought a NAPA Gold pump, and I got a Motorcraft one. The Napa part was like $40 and was their best one. The Ford pump was at least twice that much, but with my discount was around $60. We set the two side by side, and examined them. The Ford pump had a cleaner casting, and the bolt hole shoulders were machined, so that the bolt would sit square over the hole and tighten evenly. On the inside, the Ford pump had an impeller that was pressed fully onto the shaft. The end of the shaft was even with the outer surface of the impeller. The Napa pump on the other hand, did not have a machined casting, there was casting flash, and the impeller looked like it might fall off at any given moment. Even Charlie insisted that we use the Ford pump, even though he knew it would mean going to the effort of returning the Napa one, and paying more. This is a simple example of why I only buy Ford parts. You guys in the parts business, can buy what you want, and save lots of money, while I, in my blissfull ignorance, will continue to trust Ford until I can't get their stuff anymore (which is happening more and more... the latest victim, certain V belts for 6.9's), and when Ford is gone, I'll be able to sleep with a clear concious knowing I did what I could to keep them afloat.
You do realize you may not have been comparing apples to apples right? You were possibly comparing a rebuilt/remanufactured to new. Just so you know. Look at an aftermarket NEW Carter water pump. Sit them side by side. Oh and by the way, my father was forced to retire by Ford moving their contracts out of the states, 35 years and never used one sick day, so I don't have any loyalty to Ford at all.
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