Re: Finned and Edmunds style H/C Heads

Posted by Durant Model 60 On 2008/1/4 22:19:15

To help clarify the issue: "But so far no one has shown my anything different"
I too was excited by the prospect that a company was willing to cast hard-to-find parts for my car, but that company in El Paso to which I sent my money in December of 2004 has now taken 36 months to ?cast? a Durant 14L / 15L cylinder head for me, with no results. They have changed their name, changed their phone, changed the contact persons info, but the same guy who answered the phone as "Val Blazer" two years ago now answers the phone with a new name, "Dave Johnson". I spent literally hours on the phone with Val, and I can assure you, it is the same guy. The company that filed BK is NOT the same as MFT-USA, now DBA Empire Motors, Inc. but was another DBA incorporated 14 miles away in Canutillo, Texas.

24 months ago Val said that the patterns were ?in the foundry? and ?being cast?. 19 months ago he said that the cylinder heads were ?being cast?. Now, I know that aluminum castings are supposed to be allowed to cool slowly, but . . . Today, January 4, 2008 Dave Johnson said, and I am absolutely not kidding you, ?The head is at the foundry, but I don't want to upset things by asking them to rush . . .?

During that time, in reply to my requests for info, he continually sent ME emails requesting ?additional information?, and sent me many photos of other people's projects. I have photos of beautiful Packard manifolds, other brand cylinder heads, but none of an actual cylinder head for a Durant, for which I paid $2,800!

I have since found many postings on the internet by various people complaining about the same thing, literally years of stalling and nothing for your money, judgments against the company, even including someone who paid for a grave marker that they never received. Just do searches, you will find the postings.
I would be remiss if I did not do all I can to help ensure that other hobbyists do not fall for this trap, and lose money that cannot be replaced. Those who wish to do so may email me for the specifics, including copies of the correspondence. durant@verizon.net