I have NOS GM 1363429 (clutch equalizer to engine seal) how to repro?

Discussion in 'U-shift em' started by NZ GS 400, Mar 16, 2018.

  1. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/xOoAAOSwTMdalEXa/s-l1600.jpg

    Hey guys,

    Since I have 2 perfect NOS examples of this rare part, I want to reproduce them for everyone that needs one. It also seems to make good sense to use better "rubber"--silicone, etc.

    I have the parts here in New Zealand. How should I go about this project? Even some help with the correct terminology so that I can find professional help over here would be great. Thanks.
     
    dl7265 likes this.
  2. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    I was just talking about this not more than a week ago. A good friend is friends with a notable Buick vendor. He asked me what I thought would be good items to reproduce. I actually have an NOS big block outer rubber Z bar seal. I was going to send him my outer seal and a few other small items I think the Buick GS community needs.
     
  3. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    Hey Jason,
    Nice. I would like a new outer seal too. I have my original soaking in transmission fluid as I work on my build. I have read that it may help to rejuvenate the rubber. I haven't messed with it. It has been soaking for about a year or so in a zip lock bag.

    Hopefully we can get somewhere with this project..........
     
  4. taf44667

    taf44667 69 Vert 4-Speed

    Wow - I thought it was hard to find one of these in 6+ years.....and 2 together in New Zealand...nice stash.

    Jason, I think we went through this a while back the quotes I got for that rubber seal were really high and they wanted a high piece minimum. With both these parts the problem is material. Rubber needs tooling and usually with that investment they require high piece counts.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2018
  5. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    Would it be possible to make a mold and make one at a time?

    Oh, and I didn't find these in NZ. I found them for sale in the USA. They are in NZ now.
     
  6. DBS

    DBS Well-Known Member

    Watching...
     
  7. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Terry- yes, I seems to recall us getting together on that.

    I have someone who is a big player. He's interested in re-proing parts. I just happen to have the inner seal too. So what Im going to do is get together with him and make a pitch for these seals. I also want to have him repro the 2 wire ignition wire holders. These are unobtainium. The only ones available readily are the 4 wire ones.

    So if anyone has any suggestions on needed small items for the 68-72 cars, post em up
     
  8. Brett Slater

    Brett Slater Super Moderator Staff Member

    How about the 2 hole spark plug wire retainer?

    Disregard. I misread your post. Haha
     
  9. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    Sounds good Jason. I hope we can get this done.
     
  10. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    Bump....just in case anyone that missed this thread can help with input, interest, etc.
     
  11. woody1640

    woody1640 Well-Known Member

    A member of our lil 61-63 group has several parts repopped for our cars. He has pedal pads made (manual only) and some other parts. We were talking on the phone last week and he told me the elastomizer charges $800 for tooling and set up. Ya gotta sell a lot of parts to recoup that $$.


    Keith
     
  12. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    That brings up a good question. What do you think a correct reproduction inner z bar seal could be sold for?
     
  13. GSX10/10

    GSX10/10 Well-Known Member

    Could we do a CO-OP to spread the tooling charges across several folks? I'd be in for helping get something like this done.
     
    Dano, DBS and woody1640 like this.
  14. taf44667

    taf44667 69 Vert 4-Speed

    I think the other question is how many do you think you could sell, because whomever forks the money for tooling and setup plus the piece part price may be left selling these for a long time to re-coup the money. As Jason stated finding somebody who's investment is part a larger overhead may be the best way to get them done.

    If I remember my quotes correctly and this was the outer seal (frame) with embossed numbering/lettering and it was something like $2000 tooling (part and lettering) + $18.00 per piece @500 pieces which came out to $22.00 a piece which was not bad, with postage and profit could sell for $30.00. Problem for me was running to post office constantly, time, packaging and packing materials, and selling 500. For me the $11,000.00 investment was not happening. Be aware this was 4+ years ago and this was a big vendor who made lots of parts could be much different with a smaller different vendor. Never had a drawing for the inner (engine) to get quotes.
     
  15. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    That is helpful information. It seems doable. The co-op idea sounds good. I was hoping for a greater number of responses showing interest. It seems that selling 500 pieces wouldn't be that hard, maybe I am being overly optimistic. Maybe folks would be willing to purchase prior to manufacturing to help with the initial costs. I will join in a co-op investment and provide the original part.
     
  16. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    Bump. Anyone else interested in this?
     
    dl7265 likes this.
  17. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    I'd be interested in at least 3 of them. Going to be tough to make it work, but seems to me for the limited quantity, printing a 3D mold, if not the the part itself would be more feasable.
     
  18. Richie

    Richie Well-Known Member

    I'm interested in two if it happens.
     
  19. rtv72

    rtv72 Founders Club Member

    Interested!!
     
  20. NZ GS 400

    NZ GS 400 Gold Level Contributor

    cool! I am going to contact a few companies come Monday that do small run rubber molding jobs. I will inquire about differing costs for longer lasting materials like silicone, nitrile, viton.
     

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