[Pete Munroe]

Guys,

Sorry to hear about your problems with McCleod to exchange.

I was actually at the shop in Anaheim ( on several occassions ) and mine may have been a "comp" rebuild as I got the first of 10 test units to go out...they were polite, helpful...and I was standing right there.

Actually, I had explained to them that I had pulled the transmission and replaced the banjo o-rings three times and the clutch and flywheel face once...in about 3 months...and that was enough.

If the exchange deal seems inequitable, trying writing a polite but firm letter along with the unit and explain why you think it should be a complentary exchange if its due to sloppy banjos, they may work something out.

Oh, it about impossible to get the units apart to replace the
banjos as the socket head screws cannot break loose the red-locktite and you end up stripping out the heads on half of them.

Considering the alternative of buying a new Tilton...more money yet...modifying the old one...will it work?....etc...

I understand being fried but don't cut off your nose to spite your face...path of least resistance, exchange it and complain.

Be that as it may, my new unit works.

The new pieces are tightly machined, the 90 degree swivel elbow sealed with an upper and lower "double" O ring with a roll pin through a groove in the housing to retain the 90 fitting, yet let it swivel.

If it's any consolation, ( aside from knowing I pulled the trans 3 times and the flywheel once)... try THROWING away a new Lakewood bell-housing because the register was so eccentric it was impossible to line up the transshaft within 10 thousands, much less 5 or less. I had to pitch it as I bought it two years earlier and they wouldn't take it back. (never buy parts ahead of time ! )

(The McCeod bell-housing DID appear to be a higher level of quality than the Lakewood by a bunch and was easy to index, win some, lose some.)

I have been very disappointed with several vendors as I have built the Cobra and rebuilt a Corvette...keep in mind most of the time you aren't making friends, your just trying to get the product you need that works as represented...sad but true.

Pete