I called TA last week and was told they're having difficulty getting CNC operators, so heads will likely be available early next year. They recommended getting on a waiting list.
that’s been the story for 5+ years so there may be a deep seated issue why people won’t work for them.
It’s unfortunately time to face the truth here gang. This type of market for automotive parts is on its last legs! Machinist do not want to be under payed, no less be employed in a market that is fast sinking. In terms of the company’s themselves. If there thinking of retiring and or going out of business they can’t even recoup any of the money they sunk into the making of the sand cast cores for heads and or blocks because there’s no money making market for those either to potential buyers! I always thought we where on borrowed time back in the 90s, but now there’s fully no question about it, especially if the great world wide reset keeps marching on unchecked! The main and overwhelming rule in life is that nothing last forever, and this is the last curtain call if you will.
Agree 100%,.... you're gonna see stock parts turbos and n20 come back into service more than ever imo,...guys gonna have to break out the carbide burrs in thier home garages again
On the list,....and my fear is when and if they fill the position its gonna be hurried work,..and we know what pitfalls that entails
If there is 200 people on the waiting list the demand is there right? so people are working some type of job to be able to purchase these. Maby TA doesn't pay a decent wage for experienced workers but a job is a job these days, but at the same time it cost a employer alot to hire someone with insurance and benefits. Not sure where i'm going with this but still dwelling on the demand for heads. How were the heads machined from day one? Manually or CNC? Just a curious question because I think it's time for Mike, Mike Jr. or another son or relative to put themselves on the machines and let extended family or other employees take car of other priority's. I'm wondering too but I don't want in any way to bash TA because I don't know the deal and they have done alot for the Buick people. Yup, I would have the same fear if I was inline..
That list has been compiled over 2 yrs now I'm guessing,...so ehhh,..the demand is low in contrast to profit I assume,...but only they know the answer to that Mike has devoted his life to Buick performance and has lost his shirt on a few of the products he's produced,..the block being one I'm sure. So there's lots of variables and anomalies I'm sure. it would be hard for me to look at pallets of parts needed to machined and put $$ in the bank just sitting there I know that
I'm no CNC operator but from wjat I know the programs are written obviously,..on a million$ + machine don't you just load the desired program and hit run?
From what it sounded it was a waiting list of ppl wanting heads.......I dont know for how long that list has been building up.....I dont know if the bottle neck is the casting in hand waiting to be finished.....or no casting to finish. I dont know who cast the heads for TA. there is only a few casting places in the US. I dont know if they have a minimum order number.... It would be nice for those waiting to have some transparency in what's going on for sure
Probably for the most part. Proper re jigging the next head, plus the occasional tool sharpening, as aluminum is kinda abrasive. Machining it also makes some big curly chips that might have to be constantly be pulled out by a operator with a metal hook of some type.
This^^^ I am also in the market. Haven’t put my name on the list, waiting to see. Would rather buy TA heads, but may have to settle for Eldebrock if they make them available first
I’ve had the same feeling for awhile now, not as long as you, but maybe a year or more. The turn key muscle engine/car is going away, like yah said, get out the die grinders and spare parts. I don’t and never would bash TA Performance, I think their an awesome company with great products, I cancelled my heads and knew they’re was to much crap going on in the USA and world that they were hurting also, lack of qualified machinists, hell a few years ago when I was talking to Mike about the heads (the 350 heads weren’t out yet) I was on the phone for over an hour, he asked me what I did for a living, I told him “Bodywork and paint” he replied “Oh, if you were a machinist I’d offer you a job” I told him “Well I could paint engine parts, lol” I’m happy to be porting my irons, and I don’t need any “”big” parts, I’d be F’ed I wonder what’s going to happen to the collision industry, auto repair, and such????
I think we will quickly become “Cuba”, the same what they have had to overcome without being able to just buy parts. Not going to be fun
I think part of the problem is that TA has the Buick market cornered so they aren’t feeling any urgency as they have no competition. Mike Sr developed a stable successful company but I think the question is will Jr step up and carry it on to the future. Time will tell.
There's be a giant heap of able-bodied people to work, if we ENDED taxpayer-funded "welfare" programs. Put "charity" back into the hands of bona-fide volunteers. We pay people to be deadbeats and breed recklessly, then import workers from distressed countries.
