John Mummert is officially taking deposits for the aluminum heads.  If wanting in on the next production run of heads, then now is the time to send in a deposit.  The number of deposits received by John will dictate exactly what the foundry order will be for raw castings.

Oldmics

Oldmics

I do get concerned about too much of a good thing. There is a level of demand that we couldn't handle in a timely manner.

Only time will tell when we will need to start looking for other advertizing avenues.

       John and I have discussed this. He expects it to act as he outlined  in his answer. I tried advertising in the Classic Thunderbird magazine and got absolutely NO response. The Thunderbird folks are more interested in original, numbers matching parts than any reproduction pieces. I had a discussion once with one of the stalwarts of the Pennsylvania Club members. He told me that he needed a blower bonnet, but wouldn't buy one of mine because a club member told him that they were shorter and wider than the originals. He told me that a good judge could spot the repo at ten feet. This interesting because the pattern was copies from Hoosier Hurricanes Factory part. You CANNOT tell the difference between them. I finally sold him one after he compared it to an original. But he told me it was close, but HE could tell the difference! They don't operate on facts, only perceptions. If John's heads don't look absolutely original, 99% of the club members won't buy them. Unlike the guys here, they're not going to modify anything that will affect their cars value., 

I can tell the difference.  Look inside.  Your name is in there.

How things change.  When I first built my F Bird clone in '79, I only had one bonnet, and it was on my race car.  So I took a similar size chrome aftermarket air filter, hammered the louvers shut and brazed them, added the bump on the back for the vent flap, and the bump on the side for the pressure hose fitting, brazed in an inlet hose nipple, brazed the base onto the top, added a little bondo and some aluminum paint, and put it on the Bird with the repro hose from Don Antilla.  Nobody ever questioned it.  The local club members had never seen an F Bird, they had no clue.  Of course now, thanks to your efforts, I have a correct appearing one on it now.

Teapots and dual diaphram distributors may bring in the trophies at T-Bird meets but enjoying what you drive has always been my way of thinking.  Well tuned and running what the factory forgot with a little new technology usually equals better fuel economy and performance.

I don't own anything that's stock and I never will, so my deposit is down for a set of heads that I've been waiting 15 years to hold in my hands.

All I can say is... Thank You John!

The other end of the scale is the ratrod crowd. They don't care about originality but they also don't care about performance. Its still all about the look, it just isn't pretty. The engine just needs to be old and noisy.

I did notice in looking at the list of people making deposits that I could only identify 2 as being under 55 years old.

So it will be interesting see where the future interest will come from.

Somebodys gotta show those young punks the future-Might as well be the  elder "Y" Block crowd

Oldmics

I think part of the age thing is that the post 55s are no longer making house and car payments and raising kids, so there may be a little more money available for their toys.  I'm sure glad that I'm no longer raising and educating my four kids.

My other idea is we could all pitch in and support a set of heads for Charlie that would allow him to set a much higher record in the brick.  Just a thought. 

I'm with you Charlie whilst I'm sure every effort has been made to ensure an excellent product. I know that the next run will correct issues with the first.

There will be information gained on installation, use, porting, timing, tuning etc, etc. One of my biggest cost will be freight to Australia. I'll get them right then ship.   

I wasn't into 50 year old engines when I was in my 20's. Guys in their 20's usually have too many other things to spend their money on and are lucky just to have an old car and keep it running.

The age group that appears to be missing are the 40 somethings. The 2 orders from those under 55 are under 40, I think. But with kids entering college that is a hugh drain on the wallet.

If I could have only got them finished when the economy was good!

Charlie says

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But you can drive the truck to the shows with the aluminum heads.

That is very true and trust me if you knew my wife you would find that as hilarious as I do.  Thanks for the laugh Charlie.

Mark and other members, it supprises me not many take the time to fill out some basic details in members area, it is interesting to get idea of members interests, age and history etc. I,m 62 next week!.

BFOOTER03 (6/4/2010)

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But you can drive the truck to the shows with the aluminum heads.

That is very true and trust me if you knew my wife you would find that as hilarious as I do.  Thanks for the laugh Charlie.[/quote]

I would hope you can drive it the way it is now.

But, I did add to the effort. A fella in Whiteford, MD, used the money I gave him for the 471 heads I just purchased to put a downpayment on the aluminum jobs. He was pretty excited about it when I talked to him. Of course, he was a little "older" than I am and all of his kids are out of the house by now. Me, I still got a 7 year old! Wouldn't change a thing...the kids love what I do and I love spending time with them. One of these days, I imagine my boy will run a Y block powered truck for an every day driver. The two girls? they like Mustangs!

Daniel Jessup (6/5/2010)

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I'm 36. Unfortunately the new garage, outfitting the workshop, and putting together the blower engine have put me back a little. And of course, my oldest daughter needed to start the 2 year ordeal for braces!! that stuff is expensive

But, I did add to the effort. A fella in Whiteford, MD, used the money I gave him for the 471 heads I just purchased to put a downpayment on the aluminum jobs. He was pretty excited about it when I talked to him. Of course, he was a little "older" than I am and all of his kids are out of the house by now. Me, I still got a 7 year old! Wouldn't change a thing...the kids love what I do and I love spending time with them. One of these days, I imagine my boy will run a Y block powered truck for an every day driver. The two girls? they like Mustangs!

Dan, as Jerry Christanson says; Keep Spreading the faYth!  Good job.

There is no need for anyone to justify why they have not purchased a set of heads. I would be a fool if I thought everyone who is on this forum or who is a YBM subscriber would order a set.

Some people are satisfied with the performance they have. Some prefer to port factory heads for there own satisfaction. For many, the expense can't be justified or simply not afforded. Some people might buy a set someday but don't have a project for them now. Some will take a wait and see attitude regarding performance gains and reliability. All of these reasons are understandable.

I don't want this to turn into some litmus test as to a persons standing in the Y-Block community. If you want some and can afford them great, if not, that's okay too.

  I'm late to the party (as usual) but I ordered a set of heads from John yesterday, 6/8/10.  It's still not TOO late, so if you're thinking of pulling the trigger call JM PDQ.

  I also bought a running ECZ 4bbl motor (supposed to be a 312 but I haven't checked yet) and tranny this past weekend for $300.  Sometimes I almost seem to know what I'm doing.

     Best to all

     Midwest Mike