<VV> Engine removal adapter (NO CORVAIR)

John Kepler bigjohnohio@worldnet.att.net
Mon, 23 Aug 2004 21:23:50 -0400


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "N. Joseph Potts" <pottsf@msn.com>
To: "Harry Yarnell" <hyarnell1@earthlink.net>; "John Kepler"
<bigjohnohio@worldnet.att.net>; "Virtualvairs" <virtualvairs@corvair.org>
Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 6:45 PM
Subject: RE: <VV> Engine removal adapter (NO CORVAIR)


> Harry, how can you agree with John's all-encompassing statement, even
while
> citing an EXCEPTION? I would say, you disagree (as I do) with John's
> absolute statement and feel, perhaps, that sometimes, some auto
> manufacturers appear to give a damn about how hard it is to repair their
> vehicles.

Mr. Potts.....I'm NOT guessing or speculating on this one, it NEVER crosses
their minds with the possible exception how it may effect the cost of
warranty service (and even that is a "low priority" consideration, and one
that can rapidly disappear in the various "horse-trading" meetings between
the componant design teams, the assembly engineers, and the bean-counters)!
If you consider that when the Corvair was built, the GM warrenty period was
30 days or 1500 miles, even THAT consideration is reduced to practical
nonexistance!

I've been too close to the US auto industry, have too many friends that are
the engineers that DESIGN these machines, for too many years to have ANY
illusions about just what the priorities are in the engineering and design
criteria of an American automobile!  I've read the bid specs.......ease of
servicing the vehicle is NOT in ANY design criteria at any of the "Big 3",
never has been, probably never will!  If something IS easy to service, it's
because it made the car cheaper to build.   Use the "current rage",  modular
bearing assemblies as an example....or how you turn the failure of a $15
part into a $350+ replacement nightmare.....all to replace 12 people on the
assembly line setting bearing lash with a cheap robot that tightens 4 bolts!
Ford, GM, and The Huns save a bundle on assembly costs, the consumer, on the
other hand, picks up the check!

Joe, please believe me when I tell you, any benefit in serviceability to
poor  long-suffering "Mr. Goodwrench" or his "amateur" equivalent is purely
coincidental!

John