[Z06] Harland Sharp tells Charlie to " go pound sand"
05-05-2009, 05:51 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Harland Sharp tells Charlie to " go pound sand"
As some of you know, I took my car into Charlie @ RPM a couple of weeks ago because the valve train was making a hell of a lot of racket. Well, turns out the needle bearings in almost all the Harland Sharp rockers were completely shot. In fact, some of them had gotten so hot the steel had blued from the excessive heat and friction. The motor was very close to sustaining some serious damage! Needless to say, Charlie fixed the issue and replaced the rocker arms at no charge! I should mention, the Harland Sharp rockers were originally installed when Charlie built the motor. After the repair, Charlie called HS in an effort to receive compensation for his labor and a new set of rockers. Harland Sharp ADMITTED to there being bad batches of rockers manufactured around the time mine were installed. So, you would think , no problem right? NOPE, they told him to "go pound sand" and that they could do nothing because their supplier was unwilling to do anything! So, Charlie has to EAT the cost of his labor and a new set of rockers. Something does not compute here! Come on HS, when you admit to your customer you've got a defective product, you need to step up up to the plate and make good or maybe there won't be so many customers anymore!
Last edited by AWSM_06; 05-06-2009 at 09:10 AM.
05-05-2009, 06:47 PM
#2
Race Director
Do you know when your rockers were manufactured? I've got a set on my car, too, that were given me free because of problem with my early set of TFS heads I installed about two years ago. Any more info would be appreciated. Dave.
05-05-2009, 06:56 PM
#3
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Member Since: Jan 2002
Location: Vidor Texas
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As some of you know, I took my car into Charlie @ RPM a couple of weeks ago because the valve train was making a hell of lot a racket. Well, turns out the needle bearings in almost all the Harland Sharp rockers were completely shot. In fact, some of them had gotten so hot the steel had blued from the excessive heat and friction. The motor was very close to sustaining some serious damage! Needless to say, Charlie fixed the issue and replaced the rocker arms at no charge! I should mention, the Harland Sharp rockers were originally installed when Charlie built the motor. After the repair, Charlie called HS in an effort to receive compensation for his labor and a new set of rockers. Harland Sharp ADMITTED to there being bad batches of rockers manufactured around the time mine were installed. So, you would think , no problem right? NOPE, they told him to "go pound sand" and that they could do nothing because their supplier was unwilling to do anything! So, Charlie has to EAT the cost of his labor and a new set of rockers. Something does not compute here! Come on HS, when you admit to your customer you've got a defective product, you need to step up up to the plate and make good or maybe there won't be so many customers anymore!
05-05-2009, 09:19 PM
#5
Drifting
Mods can we start a sticky post that has an alphabetized list of good/bad vendors (followed by stories like this)?
When I go to buy a product I would like to check the list to see who the good vendors are and make sure they get the business.
When I go to buy a product I would like to check the list to see who the good vendors are and make sure they get the business.
05-05-2009, 10:56 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
Go ahead and post something bad about a vendor and it will be nice having known ya!!
05-06-2009, 12:05 AM
#7
Team Owner
If this is true, I won't be buying any Harland Sharp products...ever.
05-06-2009, 07:47 AM
#10
Racer
Member Since: Jul 2008
Location: Greensboro NC
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I guess someone has to pay the bills. Too bad they can't be called out.
05-06-2009, 08:37 AM
#11
Drifting
All vendors need to take a look at Adam's polishes and take notes. This is a company who defines "customer service".
05-06-2009, 09:20 AM
#14
Race Director
Steve
05-06-2009, 11:10 AM
#15
Former Vendor
Here's the story.
The rockers in Mike's car were literally destroying themselves. At least six had blown out the end caps and spewed needles into the engine. Several were so far gone that the rocker bodies had turned blue.
I called HS, spoke with Randy and explained the findings. He said "oh, we had problems with those, send them back"
After review of the rockers (which HS rebuilt free of charge) Randy admitted that in the past he had discussions with his supplier regarding these failures and that they, the supplier, refused to respond to his queries. Randy further stated that HS won't shoulder any responsibility because the bearing company won't. He thought the customer should pay even though admitting the fault lay upstream.
I've since researched replacements and am in the process of testing the rockers from CHE. These are the same pieces used on the old Winston East and Winston West series crate LS engines. They use a bushing, not needle bearings, and have thousands of hours of endurance racing under their belt - all with positive results.
As for HS I am writing them off and in the process of contacting each of my customers that may be affected, will inspect each one and replace as required. Too bad that HS can't see the need to be more responsible or accountable than they are.
The rockers in Mike's car were literally destroying themselves. At least six had blown out the end caps and spewed needles into the engine. Several were so far gone that the rocker bodies had turned blue.
I called HS, spoke with Randy and explained the findings. He said "oh, we had problems with those, send them back"
After review of the rockers (which HS rebuilt free of charge) Randy admitted that in the past he had discussions with his supplier regarding these failures and that they, the supplier, refused to respond to his queries. Randy further stated that HS won't shoulder any responsibility because the bearing company won't. He thought the customer should pay even though admitting the fault lay upstream.
I've since researched replacements and am in the process of testing the rockers from CHE. These are the same pieces used on the old Winston East and Winston West series crate LS engines. They use a bushing, not needle bearings, and have thousands of hours of endurance racing under their belt - all with positive results.
As for HS I am writing them off and in the process of contacting each of my customers that may be affected, will inspect each one and replace as required. Too bad that HS can't see the need to be more responsible or accountable than they are.
05-06-2009, 12:25 PM
#17
Race Director
Soooooooooo, once again, is there any time line to help determine which rocker arms are grenading? I'd replace them, rather than risk metal parts cascading down the block. Charlie, let the forum know about these new bushing type RRs when they become available, please.
05-06-2009, 01:52 PM
#18
Race Director
I've since researched replacements and am in the process of testing the rockers from CHE. These are the same pieces used on the old Winston East and Winston West series crate LS engines. They use a bushing, not needle bearings, and have thousands of hours of endurance racing under their belt - all with positive results.
His upgrade you speak of should work well................It would be my choice if I run into NB trouble. I use these types bushing in my work.........
when you spec the right material for the application you get a good outcome 
I always liked their motto:
“Quality isn’t expensive, it’s priceless”
05-06-2009, 03:31 PM
#19
Burning Brakes
rockers
Here's the story.
The rockers in Mike's car were literally destroying themselves. At least six had blown out the end caps and spewed needles into the engine. Several were so far gone that the rocker bodies had turned blue.
I called HS, spoke with Randy and explained the findings. He said "oh, we had problems with those, send them back"
After review of the rockers (which HS rebuilt free of charge) Randy admitted that in the past he had discussions with his supplier regarding these failures and that they, the supplier, refused to respond to his queries. Randy further stated that HS won't shoulder any responsibility because the bearing company won't. He thought the customer should pay even though admitting the fault lay upstream.
I've since researched replacements and am in the process of testing the rockers from CHE. These are the same pieces used on the old Winston East and Winston West series crate LS engines. They use a bushing, not needle bearings, and have thousands of hours of endurance racing under their belt - all with positive results.
As for HS I am writing them off and in the process of contacting each of my customers that may be affected, will inspect each one and replace as required. Too bad that HS can't see the need to be more responsible or accountable than they are.
The rockers in Mike's car were literally destroying themselves. At least six had blown out the end caps and spewed needles into the engine. Several were so far gone that the rocker bodies had turned blue.
I called HS, spoke with Randy and explained the findings. He said "oh, we had problems with those, send them back"
After review of the rockers (which HS rebuilt free of charge) Randy admitted that in the past he had discussions with his supplier regarding these failures and that they, the supplier, refused to respond to his queries. Randy further stated that HS won't shoulder any responsibility because the bearing company won't. He thought the customer should pay even though admitting the fault lay upstream.
I've since researched replacements and am in the process of testing the rockers from CHE. These are the same pieces used on the old Winston East and Winston West series crate LS engines. They use a bushing, not needle bearings, and have thousands of hours of endurance racing under their belt - all with positive results.
As for HS I am writing them off and in the process of contacting each of my customers that may be affected, will inspect each one and replace as required. Too bad that HS can't see the need to be more responsible or accountable than they are.
I like the Yella Terras, I have had 3 sets, with no problems at all.
