Author |
Message |
tattooed_pariah Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2006 Posts: 2047 Location: El Cajon, CA
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 10:35 am Post subject: Dress up parts |
|
|
Lock if this becomes a flame war, I'm just curious..
20 years ago I'd always hear "Chrome won't get you home" in reference to the crap aftermarket chrome dress up kits that were poorly designed and didn't do their jobs.. Is Billet aluminum the new chrome?
The pieces all look pretty, but do they hold up?
This morning I had a billet aluminum alternator pulley nut strip out all of it's threads while I was driving. I admit, I didn't install it "correctly" in the sense that I didn't use a torque wrench, but I wasn't expecting it to fail. I tightened it up the way I (and probably most of you) always do, get it snug, then go about 1/8 to a 1/4 turn further.
This alternator pulley and nut came from a reputable source, and I've e-mailed asking if they think I screwed something up or if there is some other problem, so I don't want to put them on blast without giving them a chance to get back to me, but I'm disappointed..
The pulley had a bit of a taper, and the nut had a matching one, but tightening it as I did cause the nut to eat into the pulley and was doing damage, so I wound up putting a washer between the nut and the dress up piece that separates it from the pulley, that stopped further damage there, but I feel like I shouldn't have to do things like that..
I'm probably just being whiny about it.. thoughts?
_________________ -pariah (just a novice from "that other VW site")
'72 Volksrod "Effigy"
"Never worry about stepping on people's toes. People who get their toes stepped on are either sitting down, or standing still on the job."
-Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN(ret.) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Stripped66 Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2005 Posts: 3470 Location: Charleston, SC
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 10:39 am Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
tattooed_pariah wrote: |
This morning I had a billet aluminum alternator pulley nut strip out all of it's threads while I was driving. |
Is the nut itself aluminum? _________________
66brm wrote: |
Bodacious wrote: |
Why not just make a custom set of wires with a Y splice in them. Then you could just run one distributor. |
I don't think electrickery works that way |
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
FreeBug Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2012 Posts: 4278 Location: deepest, darkest Switzerland
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 10:56 am Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
Apparently billet won't get you home, either...the purpose of the dress-up kits is to dress things up, not make them work better (or at all).
Stock Rocks!
And billet is the new chrome...of the 1990's. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
tattooed_pariah Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2006 Posts: 2047 Location: El Cajon, CA
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 10:59 am Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
Stripped66 wrote: |
tattooed_pariah wrote: |
This morning I had a billet aluminum alternator pulley nut strip out all of it's threads while I was driving. |
Is the nut itself aluminum? |
yup, the entire thing is 6061 aluminum.. both halves of the pulley, a dress up piece between the nut and the pulley and the nut..
LOOKS really nice.. but yea, I guess I'm gonna go back to rattle canning OEM steel pulleys instead of using red anodized ones, this is the second aluminum one that's given me problems, the first was a lot less expensive, I (foolishly) thought spending more from a well known company would get me less headaches.. :/ _________________ -pariah (just a novice from "that other VW site")
'72 Volksrod "Effigy"
"Never worry about stepping on people's toes. People who get their toes stepped on are either sitting down, or standing still on the job."
-Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN(ret.) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
modok Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 26789 Location: Colorado Springs
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 4:58 pm Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
tattooed_pariah wrote: |
This alternator pulley and nut came from a reputable source, and I've e-mailed asking if they think I screwed something up or if there is some other problem, |
Who is at fault? both.
Billet looks cool, appears like it was carved out of solid material by a machinist as a one off part, so, yeah it's bling. Dress up.
Of course it's cheaper now since it's carved by a robot.
yes, a lot of this "billet" stuff is not well engineered.
Like, standard allen bolts sitting on aluminum. Substituting aluminum for a steel part without increasing the contact areas of fasteners or shaft fits.
Or, nuts not made out of material suitable for use as a nut.
So on, so forth.
So ironically, you may have to employ a machinist to make it look like you employed a machinist. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76939 Location: Sneaking up behind you
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 5:01 pm Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
The chrome on that steering wheel looks tired. Might want to replace it before it fails _________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
|
Back to top |
|
|
earthquake Samba Member
Joined: January 10, 2008 Posts: 3984 Location: SANDY VALLEY, NEVADA
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
Glenn wrote: |
The chrome on that steering wheel looks tired. Might want to replace it before it fails |
He can just rub it with some WD40 and aluminum [billet?] foil and it will shine right up! _________________ 74 CLASS 11 LOOK-A-LIKE
69 DUNE BUGGY
79 INTERNATIONAL SCOUT II
05 SCION XB SERIES RELEASE 2[#437]
95 Chevy C3500 dually
98 Ford E150
Link to Kelly J. Nolte 3/20/53 - 11/6/08
https://time-zonelabs.blogspot.com/p/about-kelly.html
DEATH TO CHINGERS!
[From a military recruitment poster in the novel "The Stainless Steel Rat" By Harry Harrison] |
|
Back to top |
|
|
tattooed_pariah Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2006 Posts: 2047 Location: El Cajon, CA
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 6:06 pm Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
got a reply from the maker, he offered to replace the nut, said it looks like not all the threads were engaging.. which they weren't, because due to the amount of spacers needed, i couldn't tighten it enough to engage all the threads.. I'm going to politely decline his offer and just go back to rattle canning OEM steel pulleys.
All in all, a good customer service experience with a part hat didn't work well for me, so no need in my mind to give a negative review about it..
lol, that steering wheel needs to be replaced, I just don't wanna pay close to $200 for one i like. haha, it came with the car, and until i find one i really need to have, it'll stay on the car.. even if it is only held on with 2 of the 3 bolts.. _________________ -pariah (just a novice from "that other VW site")
'72 Volksrod "Effigy"
"Never worry about stepping on people's toes. People who get their toes stepped on are either sitting down, or standing still on the job."
-Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN(ret.) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
modok Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 26789 Location: Colorado Springs
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 6:17 pm Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
It's lightweight design. The minimum number of fasteners to locate a plane to an axis should be 3, but
If you count the nut in the middle it is 3
I approve your bolting strategy |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mikedrevguy Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2008 Posts: 2240 Location: Medford, OR
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 7:53 pm Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
"not all threads were engaged" -
might a slightly larger/smaller belt help get more threads engaged? _________________ 74 1303 (RevBug): plan for German Look
76 914 with 2260
79 VW Iltis
69 Bwajaja
"The wise speak because they have something to say; while the foolish speak because they have to say something." Plato
Illigitimi non-Carborundum!! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
mcmscott Samba Member
Joined: March 12, 2010 Posts: 4856 Location: sanger ca
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 9:48 pm Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
100 percent user error. The user has 2 bolts kinda holding his steering wheel on! And he posts pics of it!! Obviously has no clue how to adjust the belt tension on aircooled engine and is trying to point blame on some one else! _________________ There are no stupid questions, only stupid people,
68 Ghia
67 T-1
65 Notch
02 Mexican beetle
74 Thing
15 Long travel rail
07 Nomad
05 f-250 |
|
Back to top |
|
|
modok Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 26789 Location: Colorado Springs
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 10:24 pm Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
Perhaps it needs clearer instructions.
100% guaranteed for suckers think your pulley looks kewl.
For decorative and racing only.
End user responsible for determining suitability for other uses. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Frank Bassman Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2012 Posts: 894 Location: Miami
|
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 11:36 pm Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
Where is Mark Tucker to remind us all that we need to be smarter than what we are working on?
Maybe he can also bless me on my possible slant 6 '74 Dodge dart with 3 speed slushbox I may buy soon
-Frank |
|
Back to top |
|
|
tattooed_pariah Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2006 Posts: 2047 Location: El Cajon, CA
|
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 5:26 am Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
This is the belt I'm using: https://www.vbeltsupply.com/3lk360-1.html
same width as factory. With two shims, I got 1/2" deflection, 3 shims got me 3/4" deflection. I was running with two shims, vertical alignment was on spot.
also note: i never said I was blaming anyone, if anything I believe I said I'm probably at fault.. like I said in the first place I got it from a reputable parts source, and they are providing great customer service.. let's not turn a civil discussion into a "the OP is a jackass" thread.. _________________ -pariah (just a novice from "that other VW site")
'72 Volksrod "Effigy"
"Never worry about stepping on people's toes. People who get their toes stepped on are either sitting down, or standing still on the job."
-Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN(ret.) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
grandpa red Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2018 Posts: 520 Location: Hollister,Ca.
|
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 6:41 am Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
Now if that aluminum nut had a thread insert it may not have failed.
Also tightening aluminum to aluminum is going to gaul. _________________ '72 Beetle
Last edited by grandpa red on Wed May 08, 2019 7:59 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
tattooed_pariah Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2006 Posts: 2047 Location: El Cajon, CA
|
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 6:51 am Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
grandpa red wrote: |
Now if that aluminum nut had a thread insert it may not have failed. |
This whole time I had just been thinking why not make the nut steel.. but you bring up a good idea about the insert.. I'm not a machinist, I wonder if there is enough material in this stripped one to shave it down and put an insert in? _________________ -pariah (just a novice from "that other VW site")
'72 Volksrod "Effigy"
"Never worry about stepping on people's toes. People who get their toes stepped on are either sitting down, or standing still on the job."
-Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN(ret.) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Glenn Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 76939 Location: Sneaking up behind you
|
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 7:03 am Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
tattooed_pariah wrote: |
This whole time I had just been thinking why not make the nut steel.. |
They do...
_________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare |
|
Back to top |
|
|
grandpa red Samba Member
Joined: November 23, 2018 Posts: 520 Location: Hollister,Ca.
|
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 8:04 am Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
tattooed_pariah wrote: |
grandpa red wrote: |
Now if that aluminum nut had a thread insert it may not have failed. |
This whole time I had just been thinking why not make the nut steel.. but you bring up a good idea about the insert.. I'm not a machinist, I wonder if there is enough material in this stripped one to shave it down and put an insert in? |
Ya it would have to measured to see if a helicoil could be installed.
I'm a machinist and I have made aluminum nuts with helicoils for aircraft.
Might be better to just use a steel piece in place of aluminum. _________________ '72 Beetle |
|
Back to top |
|
|
74 Thing Samba Member
Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 7393
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
LOWE TECH Samba Member
Joined: June 22, 2016 Posts: 44 Location: SW Washington
|
Posted: Wed May 08, 2019 10:25 am Post subject: Re: Dress up parts |
|
|
From what I can see I'm running the same set up. Works good for me. I think the mistake was putting a washer between the conical piece and the nut. I noticed them wanting to scrub a little putting mine together so I used a lil' slick'em. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|