I was reading over on the other forum. A guy put a new Clifford cam in his brand new rebuilt 300, and it ate the cam bearings within a very short time.

He said the cam journals did not look polished like the lobes. Clifford told him it ate the bearings because he used motor oil with the zinc, like you are supposed to with a new cam.

The consensus on the other forum is that the factory either 'forgot' to polish the journals, or they spun the cam the opposite direction when grinding it, thereby leaving 'micro burrs' to file the bearings.

The guy went through two sets of bearing in a flash, put in a CRANE cam, and it is great. Clifford doesn't want to refund his money. For a company that charges nearly TWICE market value for a cam stick (the Clifford 264 duration cam sells for almost $400!!!, and doesn't even give you a lap dance for that price), it seems they would want to cultivate a good reputation by offering excellent customer service. But that doesn't seem to be the case.

If it were me buying a cam, I would avoid Clifford and buy from one of the other companies making quality sticks: Iskindarian offers a 262 duration, for example, Comp Cams a 260, etc. Crane also makes quality cams for the 300.

 

There are two specialized vendors that make parts for Ford I6's not available anywhere else. Those specific items are the only thing that I will buy from them.

 

Which two parts are those?

After having my Clifford gasket split under recommended torque, causing my intake to break, I wasn't too pleased with them either when all they did was tell me a shop shouldn't charge too much to weld it back together. If your stuff fails, take responsibility.

 

200ci headers for my 66 Bronco, Clifford only item. Head and seperate intake from Classic Inlines, only other option there is the off chance you can find a cross flow from Australia. Other than those I believe everything else can be sourced elsewhere. This not mean I'm endorsing either vendor because each has their problems.

 

Seems like one company (for the "small 6") to me.

There's a farm near here that has some huge out buildings. One has become a machine shop (when local tool n die co. go out of biz he buys their lathes, shapers, planers etc). He has a good biz w/locals who need replacement gears or whatever, for their older tractors. A medium sz yard separates the building from another one. In THERE is a guy who employs others. He does everything But machining w/metals (welding, bending etc for fab). Reminds me of C & C (I call em). People often are seen caring their parts/business from 1 bldg. to the other.

I don't think the same guys work for both these businesses. I do think (some of) the same guys work for the C & C companies.

These 4 businesses have done just what the experts advise "Find a niche". They provide a service, and one w/very little competition. They work together (2X2 and 2X2). This has both benefits and draw backs.

the off chance you can find a cross flow from Australia
I believe he's referring to me there. XR - XC ('66-79).

 

Clifford has a long history of questionable quality and nonexistant customer care after the sale. I'd be hard pressed to buy ANYTHING from them. I vote with my dollar.

 

Well this is great to hear. I was just about to order the Clifford intake for my 300. Now I have to rethink.

 

I remember when Clifford was a respected name in the six world. It seems after the original owner(s) of Clifford Performance died, that customer service and quality have suffered.

I'd definitely vote with my dollar and not buy from Clifford. I'd rather spend it elsewhere with more reputable and friendly companies.

 

Absolutely, it was the cast in coolant chamber that sold me on Clifford. But I'll take a second look at the Offy now.

 

Are they using cheap Chinese made parts now ?

 

I think it has more to do with quality control and management. My header gasket cracked yesterday, about 750 miles on it, installed per directions. Only gasket I ever used that said to soak in water before installing. A friend of mine just bought a "blueprinted" head from them that was cracked at the valve seats.

 

That's really unfortunate. Not enough companies out there doing performance parts for the 300 as is. Bummer to have one that specializes in straight sixes putting out inferior parts. That and they're usually the most expensive.
Maybe need to get someone from over there to read this post.

 

There's not much call for us ("small" and "big six" I6s) and not alot of product. That kinda market dynamic leaves us with these kinda results. I'm goin to Oz land n a fella has heads n intakes from there. I'll try that route for my "small'. Might even get that before I can get the 250 from TN up here. Ah, the struggles of the unemployed... :-(

 

hmmm I have the same gasket from them (soak in water) and now have second thought's on use'n it??? I dont want to have to redo stuff for 15 years!!!

what intake/exhaust gasket is everyone use'n instead?

 

I'm probably the wrong 1 to answer (got the sm six below) but it seems the "Mr. Gasket 260" is being hyped-up here on the 300 I6 forum @ FTE for both intake n exhaust.