Some questions about Southern Automotive

Fred Douglass · #1 (**permalink**) 08-25-2003, 07:24 AM

Calling all SAE buyers---I've got some questions and need some opinions about the quality and service of these engines and this outfit----if you have opinions, experiences or know of anyone who's had good AND bad things happen re SAAE rebuilds lemme know. I waited months for my engine and there are some technical "discrepancies". Please feel free to e-mail me, if you want anonymity...

Thanks in advance for any infl.

ToyCollector · #2 (**permalink**) 08-25-2003, 08:31 AM

Fred, I am in the process of building my 3rd motor from Southern for 3 different cars, so call me a happy owner. I have also been witness to 8 other ongoing happy ownership experiences first hand. I recommend you call them, rather than post publicly, as they stand behind the product. Best regards.

Fred Douglass · #3 (**permalink**) 08-25-2003, 09:03 AM

Toy,

When I poked around my new 408 C from SA, there seemed to be a few things wrong---now I realize (thanks to Bill) that they're the material effects of a run-in session. I had called last week and Bill was out of town. Earlier this morning, I called down to SAE and got Lewis, he reassured me that all was well. I then got on the line with Bill and found out all the stuff I called "discrepancies" were in fact just the above-mentioned normal effects of the run in. Bill was prompt, courteous and completely instructive. I have never had any problems with Bill--a true "southern gentleman"---so I'm sure things are going to work out. If they don't SA is apparently really good abouyt backing their product---got that news from everyone.

By the way, were you the gent who had come up my way on Cape Cod? I seem to recall someone from Georgia coming to my tiny hamlet and citing some local watering holes.

Thanks for the support.

Freddie

ToyCollector · #4 (**permalink**) 08-25-2003, 10:12 AM

Yes, that was me. Chart Room, Nairn Rd off of Scraggy Neck in Cataumet

.

Fred Douglass · #5 (**permalink**) 08-25-2003, 11:26 AM

That's funny. I hadn't seen your logo or at least haven't associated it with you for MONTHS. It just pooped up as an instinct! The black car triggered something. Do you ever come back to Cape Cod? I've just discovered about 8 cobra owners I didn't know were down here. Even another Butler!
If you go into LL Bean's (in Freeport Maine), the saying goes, sooner or later you'll run into all your old friends. I ran into two guys I hadn't seen since college in Bean's. When Î used to do the Neweport-Bermuda Race, people would ask where I was from--either Caataumet MA or Five Islands, Maine ALWAYS ran a bell! People from England and Aus-TRYL-lyuh had even heard of Five Islands!

Anyway turns out my fears, re SAE were unfounded or at least explained by none other than the boss.

Give me a shout if you're ever up near either of the roarin' metroplises in which I dwell.

Fred Douglass · #6 (**permalink**) 08-30-2003, 02:55 PM

It's time to put this thread to bed---Bill Parham has laid any doubts to rest---I really appreciate his calling (while I was on a boattransiting the Cape Cod Canal yet!) and reassuring me re break-in etc.
I'll keep you posted. A large part of my summer's been dedicated centering, squaring and moving the rear axle aft an inch or so (to stop the Hoosier's from rubbing on the seat-back area) and replacing the front axle with a newie. Car now will have over 92" w/b and have a lot less "twitchiness" in the hard cornering. The thing still just adds radius in a .80G crank!
Do you guys have the same handling? Oddly, this forgiving behavior is totally symmetrical!? I'm no lightweight---can't figger.

Thanks one and all for the responses and advice.

65 Blur · #7 (**permalink**) 08-31-2003, 12:10 PM

Fred,

Get out your camera and let us see your progress.

Later,

Fred Douglass · #8 (**permalink**) 09-01-2003, 08:41 AM

Eric Miller (my mechanic and builder) and I have discovered quite a lot while poking around with axles, footboxes, engines, brakes and the like. One thing is that by moving the rear axle aft 1", we will eliminate the larger tires from rubbing---it will also give the car 91.5" w..b---which Ron Butler says is correct. We found that the axle was not straight nor centered!. The front axle didn't need replacing---BUTT, I had a new one hanging around--so in went the brand new one---easily! These cars incidentally look to have transmission tunnels set up for auto trannies. LOTS of room. I was toying with moving the new 408 C aft an inch (!) but that would cost some considerable dough! Lots of pix---soon as I pulll ahead of Coco the Gorilla )in terms of compootah skills anyway

), I will post them.
By the way, for helping with bodywork repairs/paint/etc. Shannon Fry is top drawer. He sent me mucho paint chips---which I still owe him!

So.......don't worry, I'll post a lot. Gotta relaunch the car this coming week. Missed driving it for these summer weeks! Then it's off to Maine!!! Ideal cobra-photo area!
Let's make an Arntz Butler claaendar!!!