This post isn't intended to discredit Rancho Transaxle (maybe a little) . I realize that Shit happens. I'm just getting a little puchy from getting more than my share.
"Thank your Sirs may I have another!"
I enjoy working on my cars, but I really thought my Red Speedster was "ready"
I finally got the Carburation (44 Weber IDF's) pretty close. I decided to bring it to Carlisle, so I'm still dialing little stuff in.
The Trans that I got with the car was an "unknown". So after installing it, and deciding grinding into 2nd gear wasn't going to cut it. I decided to get a rebuilt tranny... a good one from one of the big names in the Industry.
The last major component I installed was a Pro Street Rancho Trans.
Those are the good guys right!
I figured out what gear ratios are available, consulted with Rancho and ended up getting a Pro Street 3:88 Ring & Pinion IRS tranny from them. It took 6 weeks to get. I called them when the tranny came because it looked like it sat in the snow for about 10 years or so. I know it's only cosmetic, but dammit I sent them a Cherry core that I stored inside since 1980. I thought I'd save some time by paying core charge then sending my core when their shipping box came. My Mistake. The arm on the cross shaft was worn and wobbly too ... too loose to trust with a kennedy clutch assy. So I had to replace it. Dammit. It's supposed to come with a welded cross shaft. You'd think they'd make sure the arm fit the splines on the shaft. OK so not a big deal, it's in, it's quiet, it shifts everything is good to go.
As I'm dialing in carburation and making some highway speed runs, I says to myself.. Hey wait a minute! I should be going 63 mph at 3000 rpm. Hey, I'm only going 57.
Now I go home and spend the evening checking gear ratios. Hey! they forgot to change the stock 4:12 ring and pinion to the 3:88. Funny the invoice lists those parts and I paid for them.
No problem, Rancho is going to pay the shipping and they're going to fix it for me. Wow that's over $120.00 I wasted shipping trannys back and forth to Calif. Now they're going to fix it for me and I get to R&R the tranny again. I guess Rancho expects customer participation (this is the 3rd time for R&R on this build). not to mention tranny oil. and now I got to come up with a 14x14x30 box to ship it in. The first trans took 6 weeks, Rancho says they'll turn this tranny around in a day so I should have plenty of time before Carlisle. So I says " Hey you guys should come to Carlisle with some of your stuff! Everyone uses it and I'll put a good word in... " Yeah right!
Moral of the Story... Even the companys that are known as the go to guys for quality and reilability makes mistakes... And ... sometimes you and I get to pay for them.
Remember these are the good guys. I almost went to another rebuilder to save a few bucks. What was I thinking.
Just taking a little break! Now it's back to the Garage! UPS is comming tomorrow to pick up this tranny!
Greg B
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