valve

[Adger Smith]

10-4 Reed. I'm an old fart that was also around when Manley was "IT". :~)
I think my account number is 2 digits.
I think we are on the same page as to what quality means. My backgound in Engineering started in quality control.
If I was a WD with Ferrea I would have called and questioned what I saw. The last time I checked with them because I'm winding down on the volume I run I don't meet their 'qualifications' for WD. I buy the Ferrea
I use through another WD. She gives me a competitive price and the service of a volume distributor. I have no idea where or how the other shop buys their Ferrea. I do the head work for them because the restricted valve job is beyond their abilities. I did a lot of R&D to come up with a valve job that flows well with the backside shape of the Ferrea valve they have been using.
You know Ferrea could be like so many other companies and could have started outsourcing certain parts of their product line. That is one of the reasons why I suggested going by a Brand name isn't always best.
I'm sure there are a lot of us that still chose the best part to suit the application. ;~)

[Reed Granrt]

Adger
I raced half my life while I was employed by this large company. I promised my children that I would not leave the area for a "better" job. So as a result I was manager of Engineering, manager of Quality Control and eventually Manager of Shop Operations before this plant down turned and went the way of going over seas and way South. I retired 2004 and went to my shop that I have had since 1974. I too have down sized my labor content and no longer purchase those large quantities but still have several part time helpers and build still quite a few engiiiines. But during my industrial tenure, I got to pick up many skills that helped me with engines. I built me a flow bench that will flow more air than 2 normal flow benches. It flows using digital flow recording and manometers so that I can correlate for differences. Both have their advantages. Recently I purchased one each of many brands of valves that are adequate for in quality for our race needs, so that I could see flow capabilities and found that some had certain good characteristics and am trying to incorporate those into one valve. Some time I wish to share thoughts with any one that plays like I am doing. Any one can PM me if they like. I can go from the flow bench to my dyno. I just ran a short 6 sigma trial on my dyno for repeat ability so I know if the truth is there.
reed