Anybody else waited for back-ordered parts?

[wolf k]

I have been waiting for steering column, four FIA wheels, and front calipers since August. Talking to Peter, he tells me the issue with they are having with the calipers. He says he has everything else except he has to machine the front wheels. I asked to send me what he has, that was two weeks ago.
Is this typical with ERA to have to keep bugging them? Have not seen any posts by Bob Putnam in awhile, is everything OK at ERA?

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by wolf k

I have been waiting for steering column, four FIA wheels, and front calipers since August. Talking to Peter, he tells me the issue with they are having with the calipers. He says he has everything else except he has to machine the front wheels. I asked to send me what he has, that was two weeks ago.
Is this typical with ERA to have to keep bugging them? Have not seen any posts by Bob Putnam in awhile, is everything OK at ERA?

Spoke with Bob not that long ago (he was today 09:40 AM), all is fine at ERA, in fact they have a LOT of business they are keeping up on to the best of their ability. As for back ordered parts, you have to remember, ERA is not always the manufacturer of all of the parts, so they are telling you everything that their supplier is telling them. Kind of puts them between a rock and a hard place when attempting to keep their customer base happy and well informed. As for your back ordered parts, it appears that you only got your kit delivered to you at the beginning of this month, but from your post above you have been waiting for your back ordered parts since August?


Bill S.

[289ERAkit]

Just there last week....it's busy there.

[wolf k]

OK, good to hear. Bill, kit was delivered in August. ERA has everything but the calipers, just have not been delivered yet.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by wolf k

OK, good to hear. Bill, kit was delivered in August. ERA has everything but the calipers, just have not been delivered yet.

You'll get them. ERA also does "tweaks" to parts and they don't even tell you unless you get in to a casual conversation for some reason and it comes up. For instance, when my ignition switch went bad Bob said he would send me another one. I told him "don't bother, I'll just grab one at the auto parts store" (it's just a $10 "universal" Delco unit). He then explained to me that even though it's just a crummy ten dollar ignition switch, they re-cut the threads to fit the custom bezel that screws on the front and matches the original -- and that bezel is way more expensive than the switch that it screws on to. Sooooo, when it comes to ERA parts, there is often more to it than meets the eye.

[DanEC]

I had a few items that didn't ship with the car last Feb - the seats being the biggest items. Heck of a puzzle studying all the boxes and realizing none of them were large enough to hide a seat in, much less two. But everything was caught up and in my hands within 30 days. This was a 427 roadster however, not an FIA.

Dan

[RAO-3]

Also keep in mind that many of these custom parts are made in batches by others that have small operations, so sometimes you have to wait for another batch of parts to be made. ERA is really quite good at getting just the right parts but sometimes it takes a little longer. In the end, it's well worth the wait.

Keep us posted on your build!

Ray

[cscobra]

Rest assured from those of us with long experience with ERA that you can trust what they say--they won't steer you wrong. If any delays occur, there's a reason for it, so try to be patient.

[lamaluv]

My car came from ERA over 30 years ago and they are still providing great service and any replacement part that I have needed. When I needed new headers and ERA had changed configurations they provided me with the name of the company that had originally made them. While I was at ERA this fall they took the time to put my car up on the lift and safety checked everything for me. When a door latch was discovered to be cracked (after 30 years who would figure) they replaced both doors latches at no charge while Peter took my wife and I to lunch. In my experience with ERA they have always been a class act. Be patient!

[Learjockey1]

I cannot be more appreciative to ERA and Mr Bob Putnam. I purchesed a preowned ERA with the frame made in 1998. I consulted with them about the car prior to the purchase in Jan this year and even as a non owner they were always friendly. Bob still ships me parts to Germany and answers all my questions. May have to be patient for the above thread reasons.

I was talking to a speed shop in Pensacola, Florida when I ordered some FE T and D Rockers and he was telling me how difficult it is becoming to even obtain staple parts to build an engine. He has a special cam for SB Fords and two major cam companies did not have cores to make his cam for an engine he is building in the next month. This was three weeks ago. I started to notice the back ordered, not available, reduced selection, in the Harley Custom industry last year. I tell my friends if you want it, you better get it now and maybe a spare or two.

[RICK LAKE]

Wolk K First off, there is nothing wrong with ERA. Bob has been doing double and tripel duty around ERA for better than 30 years. He is no spring chicken. He does go on vacations sometimes.
I know you are in a hurry to get the car up and running. I know that the car can be assemblied in a 100 hours from start to finish and like yourself I to was in a hurry. I was waiting on front Serria calipers. Bob found a machining issue with them and I waited about a month to get a set that was in engineering spec's of what Bob had designed. I did get the calipers and they have been on the car for 14 years without and leaks or failures. They also spend 98% of the time on the track racing. I don't know if a standard brake system would hold up. Yes I do maintainance to the system once a year. At this point in time there are things you can do that don't need the car to be drivable. Breakin in the motor, going through the car and check EVERY nut and bolt for tightness. I like to get the corner weights of the car with your weight in the drivers seat so that when you go for the alignment, the car is ready for normal road driving. Do this with a 1/2 tank of gas. This is good for 2-3 hours alone and will make the car drive and handle better. Try for a 49/51 ratio of front to rearend weights and right to left side even. IS your bellhousing cut on the bottom? This is for Lakewood owners. Make sure all the wiring harnesses are not loose and clamped down. Leaks from the motor, gas and oil after a couple of cycles bring the motor to operating temps. Check gaskets on the valve covers. I went above the normal with fasteners and all are aircraft nyloc nuts, safety wired or Loc-tited to stop any loosening of parts.
I can tell you that I was running short of time this year for the Run&Gun and it almost cost me my car with a oil fire under the hood. R/S valve cover gasket cracked and oil as leaking down on the side pipes. A small leak but enough to have a fire under the hood and only burnt the starter cable between the soleniod and starter. I now take the extra time and double check.
ERA will get the parts to you, ALL companies in the auto industries are having the same problems with outsourcing. I have been waiting on tranny parts from 4-6 weeks on a certain model with issues. I know it sucks to not drive the car but you will have plenty of time soon enough. Good luck with the car and be careful the first couple of times out. Do short 3-5 mile trips and check over the car. Then start the long cruises. The other problem will be Wife and kids, good luck with this issue. It's only a 2 seater Who's riding in the trunk????? Good luck getting that silly grin off your face too. Rick L.