Why is nothing simple?

AtomicDog · 12-29-2005, 08:28 PM

I have just finished my fourth hour of Dremel work on the replacement fan shroud I bought from Vertex.

In all fairness, most of the time was spent removing the rear coil mounting boss that the good Dr. P left in place for no reason other than it requiring a mod to the mold from '83. At least my OEM plug wires will fit now

Here are my questions:

For those of you who've replaced your cracked mag fan shroud with the Vertex - How much work was it to get your alternator to seat squarely in the shroud? And why is their knock-off not a SIMPLIFIED part?

Rant open.

Most of the trademark Porsche over-engineering centers around that "no-compromise" approach that we all know and love, but if you're making a part that is no longer available, why not put a little of your own engineering in? If you can't match the part exactly, why settle by selling an imperfect copy?

The guy I talked to at Vertex said they sell these (for $380) about once a day. I may try to build my own version - something I'd be proud to have my name on, and sell it to people I respect...

Rant closed.

Chris

Oh Haha · 12-30-2005, 06:27 AM

Does Pelican carry the part you got from Vertex?

AtomicDog · 12-30-2005, 06:31 AM

No.

If they did, it would have to be a better quality part - and I would not have gone to a competitor.

Chris

Oh Haha · 12-30-2005, 06:59 AM

Just checkin'.
Some get offended when a competitor is mentioned here at Pelican.
Is this fan shroud cracking thing something that's common to our 911's?
I have never heard of it.

masraum · 12-30-2005, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AtomicDog

Here are my questions:

And why is their knock-off not a SIMPLIFIED part?

but if you're making a part that is no longer available, why not put a little of your own engineering in? If you can't match the part exactly, why settle by selling an imperfect copy?

Chris

1 It's cheaper and easier to just make a mold of an existing part. Re-engineering requires time, testing, and money. Vertex is not an engineering company, they sell parts.

2 I bet that shroud fits multiple years. Do some of those years require that boss for the coil or is it a deal where the coil boss was for earlier cars that had a different size fan?

If they are selling a part a day at $380 I'd say that their part is successful. Why change? Since I think it's the only part that you can buy at this time...

masraum · 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Oh Haha
Just checkin'.
Some get offended when a competitor is mentioned here at Pelican.
Is this fan shroud cracking thing something that's common to our 911's?
I have never heard of it.

Yep, very common. The fins that support the alt mounting surface in the center of the shroud crack over time often because of corrosion in the Mg.

Shortly before I sold my old '88 I bought a genuine Porsche fan from Pelican and a Shroud from one of the dealers that advertises in Excellence. I think I paid about $200 for the fan which came from the factory with a clear coat applied, and I think I paid about $450-500 for the shroud that came with a black coating.

In the last 1.5 years Porsche quit selling the shroud. At about that time Vertex started selling their repro. I don't think I've heard that anyone else sells em.

masraum · 12-30-2005, 07:20 AM

Here is a thread with pics of my housing after I replaced it. Three of the 4 support fins were cracked most of the way through. The round area that the alt slides into was also swollen from internal corrosion at the cracked spots which made the alt really, really difficult to extract.

Bummer, Check your fan housings!

randywebb · 12-30-2005, 02:13 PM

"Why is nothing simple?"

Because god decided to design the universe using systems of dynamic partial differential equations. And that's just at the macroscopic level - the more fundamental stuff is a LOT wierder...

AtomicDog · 12-30-2005, 03:54 PM

Randy,

I took that class in my Junior year and got a C. You may be on to something. I actually prefer quantum when the conversation can support it...

masraum,

Yes, the shroud is designed to fit years that required the boss. And as you state, they are the only game in town with that shroud. I merely suggest that they could use some competition. After I reformat my HDD this weekend, I'll get solidworks installed and start playing.

As for doing your own engineering, check out the folks at

www.diyaudio.com

They are one of the most gifted groups I have ever experienced. No lack of engineering there. Like this place, they are knowledgeable and helpful, multi-national, and have very few typos.

Chris

ricochet · 12-30-2005, 06:20 PM

SIMPLE... Thats for everyone else. Seems owning a Porsche differentiates us. I changed all 4 sets of brake pads on my F150 in 35 minutes (I abuse this truck worse than anyone else).
I totally tortured this truck for 6 years so far, and I do mean abuse. I guess pulling my P-CAR 1950 miles in 2 days applies (on a 20' lowboy).
Simple is not for us.I blew 3 VW motors in 18 months.
Simple, nah.
Is why I bought a complete fan/assembly for my replacement. Is why I lose money instead of buying Chinese replacement parts. It will soon get much worse. Buy origional for ease, buy cheap and expect time to fit. Retrofit Chinese stuff is NOT plug n play.
Universal costs more often (now or later). OEM fits but costs more today.