Just have to share some frustrations I've had with LMC; if anything just to make myself feel better. I tend to avoid them because they are simply a middle man, and I can almost always find what I'm looking for directly from the manufacturer or elsewhere for a better price. However, every once in a while I "cheat" either because they have something I can't find elsewhere, or I'm lazy. This time it bit me, resulting in a couple wasted weekends. Here is what I've ran into with a recent order of stuff for my '79:

1) Fuel tank filler and vent hose set. The hose set actually seemed good quality and looked like a good fit, but looked like someone stabbed the filler hose with a utility knife. Not usable.

2) Windshield washer reservoir. This is actually a factory Ford part resold by LMC; it showed up in two pieces with hot glue everywhere. Not LMC's fault, but something they should have noticed when they packed the box.

3) Instrument cluster backing. This seems like a decent part, fits, no big issues. Bit it was covered in animal hair upon receipt. I've gone ahead and used it, but had to spend some time vacuuming it.

4) Instrument cluster printed circuit. At first it seemed okay; it didn't sit flat when I installed it but that didn't bother me much. However, after I had everything put back together, I decided to take the ICVR back off to bench test it...I barely pulled on the "tab" that connects to the ICVR and the cluster ripped right through and left the "buttons" pushed into the ICVR.

I also pulled my gas tank a couple weeks ago; it's not in that bad of shape, but does have some garbage on the inside and rust on the outside. I originally planned to have it cleaned out, but all the local shops quoted a price that's higher than simply ordering a new tank. So I ordered a new one from Rock Auto last weekend, and the manufacturer does nothing to protect it (they literally drop it in a box and ship across the ocean). It showed up with a big dent and the seams are smashed in and folded over. Rock Auto was (and always has been) really pleasant to work with and they're accepting it as a return, but I still have to drop it off at FedEx to send back (on their dime). In the meantime, I went ahead and dropped my original tank off at a local shop to be dipped.

It seems like the last three weekends I've tried to start something, only to get stopped dead in my tracks because of a part quality issue. Oh well, it happens...I'm preaching to the choir, I'm sure you all know how it feels. I really do apologize if reading this post has been a waste of your time, but it made me feel better at least. A big thanks to Mike for helping me track down some of the things I've needed. In the meantime, since it doesn't look like I'm going to get much work done today, I think I'm going to head to the gas station and pick up a 6-pack and get sauced!

 

Feel your pain.
That's usually how I get over it.

 

It's just something you have to get used to. I have been playing the wrong part, back order city disco for years and years. Just a fact of life when you have to order half of the parts for our trucks.

 

To be followed by increasingly belligerent & incoherent posts (PWI Posting While Intoxicated) eventually describing romantic activities with random farm animals please post pictures and culminating with foaming at the mouth and blaming all your troubles on the current US Government Administration.

How ya doin' Jeff?

 

Nice post !! Yep I can't tell you how many times with the best planning I've ended up throwing my hands in the air from computer hard drives to ford parts the shipping Gods are a force mostly beyond our reach .. It always ends with me scratching my head asking "how hard could it be?"
My solutions are like yours with a native american twist .. I offer tobacco and proceed to check the windage that I forgot to account for and without fail the clouds clear and I'm back in favor with the Ford gods once again ..

 

The ford Gods brought me this yesterday
ford 460 rear sump oil pan

With dipstick tube and dipstick

 

Thanks for the thanks, Jeff.
I agree. LMC is strictly a coin toss. I order stuff from them when quality isn't a big concern.
They are all over the place. I've gotten Dennis Carpenter parts still in the DC packaging (at a price higher than DC charges), I've gotten NOS Ford parts still in the Ford box and I've gotten a whole lot of "white box" Chinese parts.
I've only had to deal with their customer service once and it wasn't "unpleasant". They started out playing dumb, but me having all the paperwork in front of me kinda rained on their parade and I ended up getting the problem resolved to my satisfaction.
Overall I'd rate LMC as "okay". On a scale of 1-10, 10 being "great", I would rate them about 6-6 1/2, but I'd rather avoid them....unless I get lazy.

 

you must have been a really good boy............

 

I need that pan for a different project , here is my current delima should I or not???

460 CU. IN. FORD BIG BLOCK ENGINE

I have 4 other 460's and one is in ol blue up and running strong, just not as pretty and with the wrong pan.

fmc400 hang in there, try the FTE sponsors first parts wise, or just 6 pack it and try again tomorrow, good luck. And if all else fails remember you are a electrical guru on these trucks so thanks again for all the assistance to everyone.

 

That is a dilemma of the first order .. You can't beat the value there .. Chalk it up to hard times for some .. I would do it unless it will causes a divorce .. Hell yea

 

LMC is a "middle-man" operation, uses the J. Paul Getty method of making money. Despite all the parts they have listed in their catalog, they carry very little of it, and some of their applications are WRONG!

When you send in your order, they use your money to buy the parts elsewhere, from other repop sellers, autoparts stores and in some cases, Ford Dealers.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instrument cluster backs used 1975/79 (& 1980 Econoline) were made from a composition material that can TURN TO DUST before your very eyes!

1981: FoMoCo came out with hard plastic cluster backs, were factory installed in Econolines. And were the service part replacements for the POS cluster backs.

E1PZ-10848-A .. Hard Plastic Cluster Back - Use with Oil/Amp Gauges / Obsolete

1981/91 Econoline / Retrofit: 1975/79 F100/350 / 1975/80 Econoline / 1978/79 Bronco.

CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has 476 = 800-476-9653.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
E1PZ-10848-B .. Hard Plastic Cluster Back - Use with Oil/Amp Warning Lamps / Obsolete

1981/86 Econoline / Retrofit: 1975/79 F100/350 / 1975/80 conoline / 1978/79 Bronco.

CARPENTER has 59.
-------------------
D1AZ-10804-A .. ICVR ~ Instrument Cluster Voltage Regulator (Motorcraft GR-513) / Obsolete ~ Available from autoparts stores.

1971/79 F100/350, Bronco & Econoline / Misc 1971/79 Passenger Cars.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
D6TZ-10K843-B .. Printed Circuit Board-Use with Oil/Amp Gauges / Obsolete ~ 8 available NOS

1976/79 F100/350 / 1976/91 Econoline / 1978/79 Bronco.
-------------------------------------------------------
D6TZ-10K843-C .. Printed Circuit Board-Use with Oil/Amp Warning Lamps / Obsolete ~ 1 available NOS

1976/78 F100/350 & Econoline / 1978 Bronco.
--------------------------------------------
D9TZ-10K843-A .. Printed Circuit Board-Use with Oil/Amp Warning Lamps / Obsolete ~ 5 available NOS

1979 F100/350 & Bronco / 1979/86 Econoline.

 

Rich, 'Just a thought... have ya ever considered building/buying an engine test stand?

Maybe something like this: American Engine Run Test Stand Foreign Automotive Engines Running Stand

 

Thanks all for the kind words; I definitely got a few chuckles! And thanks Bill for the research.

I know what you mean about the Ford gods, redroad. They work in funny ways; for as much bad luck as they give you, they seem to throw enough good luck at you to make it worth it.

Here's the sauce of choice.

 

Doesn't get to much better than a few of those and a wrench in your hand.

 

Do you have this? D6TZ-6345-A (replaced C6TZ-6345-A) .. Stud-Attaches pickup tube to #3 main bearing cap / 3/8" -16 & 1/2" -13 x 4.60" long / Obsolete ~ 1 available NOS