Team Camaro Tech banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Edelbrock Quality

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 23 Posts

ridesdirt

· Premium Member
67 SS/RS
Joined
·
2,908 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Just curious what is the current take on Edelbrock products.

Reason for asking. I purchased a few Edelbrock products for some work I have been doing on my 67.
To be specific, a Performer RPM fuel pump - part number 1721. I has an issue with the first one I received. The pump arm was short, it was too short to contact the fuel pump push rod. Summit sent me a second and it is fine. I also purchased a Victor Series water pump, part number 88113. The backing plate on the water pump was loose and started leaking. I'll be honest, I did not check the bolts before I installed it. So I went back and read through the instructions to see if there was mention to check these - no there wasn't. Actually instructions stated to not remove the rear cover, there are no serviceable parts inside. I bought some other items from Edelbrock owned companies and had zero problems with those.

I am not here to bash Edelbrock. Maybe its just bad luck on two items. I guess I am curious if there stuff is considered "the good stuff". I am just a little bummed with them right now, I expected better, their stuff is not the cheapest out there and actually leans to the higher end of pricing. And I think is marketed as Made in USA
 
#2 ·
ridesdirt said:
Just curious what is the current take on Edelbrock products.

Reason for asking. I purchased a few Edelbrock products for some work I have been doing on my 67.
To be specific, a Performer RPM fuel pump - part number 1721. I has an issue with the first one I received. The pump arm was short, it was too short to contact the fuel pump push rod. Summit sent me a second and it is fine. I also purchased a Victor Series water pump, part number 88113. The backing plate on the water pump was loose and started leaking. I'll be honest, I did not check the bolts before I installed it. So I went back and read through the instructions to see if there was mention to check these - no there wasn't. Actually instructions stated to not remove the rear cover, there are no serviceable parts inside. I bought some other items from Edelbrock owned companies and had zero problems with those.

I am not here to bash Edelbrock. Maybe its just bad luck on two items. I guess I am curious if there stuff is considered "the good stuff". I am just a little bummed with them right now, I expected better, their stuff is not the cheapest out there and actually leans to the higher end of pricing. And I think is marketed as Made in USA
Click to expand...
This is my take on the situation.Nothing today is as it once was even the good stuff is not as good as it was before the PANDEMIC. Tis goes for jobs parts people general mindset courtesy to others etc and right on down the line. I dont know what the answer is . What i do know is everything now a days is a struggle just buying parts to repair cars takes a lot of time up. You call you wait 10 / 20 minutes on the phone this goes for doctors offices too. As far as Edelbrock goes they are in the intake manifold business and they make cyl heads also . I have not used them for years as i found their itakes very light castings . I switched over to WIEAND well over 40 years ago. They may outsource a lot of stuff and its probably from across the sea . To that end there is good stuff and bad stuff coming from there and its always been that way. You have to know where and what to buy. Suposedly they tell us everything is better these days and life is supposed to be easier and Its not buy a long shot . Send your stuff back and look elsewhere . Their camshafts are very old white box designs just reboxed. You can buy all of them from Summit at half the price. they tell us its getting better i dont see it anywhere up my way . these days i research and source everything before i buy that includes calling and asking questions . if i get a bad phone reception i say thank you and hang up then buy it somewhere else. For cams . Isky is the first go to then Howards and Elgin PRO Stock for the bargain price line all good stuff. Isky,s. customer service is second to none and they are nice people to do business with. They are a little pricey but really good stuff it works and lasts. Just look at everything on the whole in general, I think its going to get much worse before it gets any better i hope. On the whole we aint hitting any home runs and the base hits are far and few . Thats my take .Alex
 
#3 ·
I could write a novelette on how much better life was in the previous century, at least from a quality perspective.
I had thought about getting this Camaro back on the road for a long time, but life always has priorities, and I chose family over the Camaro.
I started looking around and realized that EVERYTHING, with very few exceptions is made to sell, not to last.
I remembered pricing a Callie’s crank forged in American, machined in American, and the cost for that component was an eye opener.
I briefly talked to a Reher Morrison employee to confirm that I was out of touch with reality.
It’s always been about business, and apparently the popular culture is stack them deep and sell them cheap.
One builder told me to look at crate engines, and if you really want a quality build, budget for double the advertised price.
There are companies like Isky that still exist, but every year it seem there are fewer.
I digress….Edelbrock would be on the bottom of the list along with EVERYTHING ELSE….manufactured in Guadala who the Hell knows.
Good ain’t cheap, and cheap ain’t good.
Quality is like buying oats, good clean oats are available at market demand prices, but if you’re willing to settle for oats that have passed through the horse…well those are much cheaper, and are available everywhere.
 
#4 ·
I am a Techincal Director for a huge manufacturing company outside of the automotive industry. Thankfully, I am at the end of my career. The vast majority of workers today have no work ethic and are untrainable idiots. I don’t know why. Seems to get only worse as the years go by. ( Yes some of it is my lack of tolerance.) The CNC machine shop under my direction has advertised great paying entry level positions for years. Clean, modern A/C shop with interesting work. We offer to train people as
far as they can go. We trained a few entry level kids into successful machinists. Turned them into great wage earners with very marketable skills. Watched as they grew up, got married, start families, bought homes - doesn’t get better. Unfortunately we haven’t found an entry level person to take the bit and run for a few years now. Quite the opposite. No drive to succeed,
No brains to succeed with. Sad.
On the other hand we have hired some super smart, nice young people, freshly minted mechanical engineers the last few years. I mean smart, driven guys. Can’t explain the difference. Like The Weathertech commercial… “You want to build a factory in the US?” Cracks me up. WT is a good place. We’ve lost some people to them. Anyway, it is impossible to make a high quality product every time with people that don’t care. There is no way to idiot proof everything. So while the design may be outstanding as directed by old sods like me and the super bright ME’s they manage, execution is a crap shoot.

Sorry, rough week due exactly to the above.
Rant over.
 
#5 ·
We as parents of this generation are partly to blame as we spoiled them. Our education system is broken as is the next influence on our kids. And greed to have it right now is the fighting song. Talking not texting and family values need to be taught. The countries that aspire to these values are surpassing us I hate to say. JMO
 
#6 ·
The Camaro Guy said:
We as parents of this generation are partly to blame as we spoiled them. Our education system is broken as is the next influence on our kids. And greed to have it right now is the fighting song. Talking not texting and family values need to be taught. The countries that aspire to these values are surpassing us I hate to say. JMO
Click to expand...
Wow i came back to this as i thought that i was going to get a barrage of negativity for what i stated. I have to say i feel good now knowing its not only me . They told us our generation was worthless with rock and roll fast cars and everything else but we turned out as people of worth integrity and a mindset of common sense. I agree 1,000 % with EVERYTHING STATED above and more . Yes we need to straighten out the schools and the teachers that teach our children to make sure they get the right education and not any of this current B/S hysteria and other nonsense thats floating around . I am a product of parochial schools clear to high school . Many of my friends to this day went to public schools one thing we had in common was all the teachers taught Family GOD and Country besides the curriculum because that was the universal mindset. In short we need to fix get rid of or abolish all the nonsense and Balogna get back to common sense do what is good for the people and country and take pride in what we make and ourselves the way it used to be . They say change is good thats a highly debateable topic if its good and an improvement wonderful . From where i stand all of the changes we have had since the Pandemic have proved to be useless detrimental and not good We need to get back to common sense common good and the reality of our history. You cant re wright history it is what it is some of it is bad but a whole lot more is good to deny the past is a farce. we have come a long way and all for the better. just because a small group of people dont like it does not constitute changing anything. i believe we are in a bad slump now but we will rise out at some point stronger and better for it. Alex
 
#7 ·
Don't know about Edelbrock specifically; but generally, it is getting really difficult to get someone to do what they are expected to do for the price they say they will do it for.

On my 68 El Camino, I ended up overheating a brand new engine because the brand new Tstat failed to open after a couple months. Also, on that car, I had to disassemble the brand new water pump and press the shaft in a bit further to get the pulley to line up with the other pulleys. Also had to give up on the mechanical fuel pump because all three of the new ones I got had too much fuel pressure. One was 12 psi. Ended up buying a low pressure Edelbrock (which so far has been fine).

For the most part, new cars are the exception when it comes to quality control. But, when it comes to buying new parts for old cars; it's a crapshoot.
 
#9 ·
The Edelbrock RPM is probably the best dual plane manifold out there. I don’t think I’ve seen a dyno comparison where it lost. Maybe the big money ones from Wilson or AFR are a bit better.
I think an intake would be the only thing I’d get from them now days,
As long as it’s Made in USA. I try not to support any future enemy regimes like the PRC.
 
#10 ·
ya I am originally from Automotive, I agree with your rant post.
Worst part about automation / automotive manufacturing, is that there is no sensor for stupidity . . .

68fbird said:
I am a Techincal Director for a huge manufacturing company outside of the automotive industry. Thankfully, I am at the end of my career. The vast majority of workers today have no work ethic and are untrainable idiots. I don’t know why. Seems to get only worse as the years go by. ( Yes some of it is my lack of tolerance.) The CNC machine shop under my direction has advertised great paying entry level positions for years. Clean, modern A/C shop with interesting work. We offer to train people as
far as they can go. We trained a few entry level kids into successful machinists. Turned them into great wage earners with very marketable skills. Watched as they grew up, got married, start families, bought homes - doesn’t get better. Unfortunately we haven’t found an entry level person to take the bit and run for a few years now. Quite the opposite. No drive to succeed,
No brains to succeed with. Sad.
On the other hand we have hired some super smart, nice young people, freshly minted mechanical engineers the last few years. I mean smart, driven guys. Can’t explain the difference. Like The Weathertech commercial… “You want to build a factory in the US?” Cracks me up. WT is a good place. We’ve lost some people to them. Anyway, it is impossible to make a high quality product every time with people that don’t care. There is no way to idiot proof everything. So while the design may be outstanding as directed by old sods like me and the super bright ME’s they manage, execution is a crap shoot.

Sorry, rough week due exactly to the above.
Rant over.
Click to expand...
 
#11 ·
To me Edelbrock is an intake and carb manufacturer and those items have worked well for me for decades

Now Edelbrock is in several parts category, WP and fuel pumps being among them. I notice they are CONSIDERBLY more than standard replacement parts of this type. To me the over $100 for a fuel pump where a Carter is under $20 I just don't get so I buy....the Carter. It and Airtex Wells WP for me has worked great

IDK but when companies venture out of their lane into many different items that growth is, to me, more foreign manufacturing of their stuff which is then just badged Edelbrock.

I have done their shop tour with Vic Jr hosting. Nice people and their "story" is great and their foundries are in US for Carbs & Intake and their heads....not sure where the other stuff is made
 
#12 ·
Private Equity firm controls Edelbrock.

About Us - Edelbrock Group

The Edelbrock Group™ was created in 2020 with the merging of two performance aftermarket legends, Edelbrock® LLC and COMP Performance Group™. Both companies, acquired by operations-focused private equity firm Industrial Opportunity Partners (IOP), represent nearly 130 years of business, building...
www.edelbrockgroup.com www.edelbrockgroup.com

Even Holley and its subsidiaries are controlled by a New York Equity Fund. Though I gotta give Holley credit for developing new products for changing markets.

Monomoy Capital Partners Acquires Holley Performance Products - aftermarketNews

Holley is a new platform acquisition for Monomoy.
www.aftermarketnews.com www.aftermarketnews.com

A lot of times these companies only care about their bottom line and farm out to countries like PRC so that fund investors can see a dividend return.
 
#13 ·
slazisme said:
Private Equity firm controls Edelbrock.

About Us - Edelbrock Group

The Edelbrock Group™ was created in 2020 with the merging of two performance aftermarket legends, Edelbrock® LLC and COMP Performance Group™. Both companies, acquired by operations-focused private equity firm Industrial Opportunity Partners (IOP), represent nearly 130 years of business, building...
www.edelbrockgroup.com www.edelbrockgroup.com

Even Holley and its subsidiaries are controlled by a New York Equity Fund. Though I gotta give Holley credit for developing new products for changing markets.

Monomoy Capital Partners Acquires Holley Performance Products - aftermarketNews

Holley is a new platform acquisition for Monomoy.
www.aftermarketnews.com www.aftermarketnews.com

A lot of times these companies only care about their bottom line and farm out to countries like PRC so that fund investors can see a dividend return.
Click to expand...
I guess I’m part of the problem.
I paid for ok products out of convenience.
Received some ok stuff along with stuff that is about the same quality as fishing weights.
I personally have great contempt for selling BS for good products.
That’s why the best work I’ve ever done in my 61 years has been for those with limited resources, greatest needs, and the most appreciation for work their hard earned money couldn’t buy.
No charge….
I’ll never be rich by the world’s standards, but I work for an audience of ONE.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Well, I am like company here, I see all the same issues covered here. Don't want to get to political or religious here, but it all goes back to God in schools to me.

As far as parts, I knew Edelbrock was a gamble for a water pump, but figured the fuel pump sould have been solid, they have been in the carburetor business for a while... they just appeared to be better than price point items, but not...

I research the heck out of everything, guess I'll be doing more of that now.

As far as heads and cams go. I am interested in AFR heads Cams, Isky cams lead the list - but would like to get some feedback on Clay Smith (I just like the logo), there are a couple other brands like Howards too. I'll be asking more questions here too.
 
#15 ·
Worn Out Welder said:
I guess I’m part of the problem.
I paid for ok products out of convenience.
Received some ok stuff along with stuff that is about the same quality as fishing weights.
I personally have great contempt for selling BS for good products.
That’s why the best work I’ve ever done in my 61 years has been for those with limited resources, greatest needs, and the most appreciation for work their hard earned money couldn’t buy.
No charge….
I’ll never be rich by the world’s standards, but I work for an audience of ONE.
Click to expand...
In general, making mistakes is an inevitable part of the human experience. We all make them. It's how you grow and learn from those mistakes that matters.
 
#16 ·
ridesdirt said:
Well, I am like company here, I see all the same issues covered here. Don't want to get to political or religious here, but it all goes back to God in schools to me.

As far as parts, I knew Edelbrock was a gamble for a water pump, but figured the fuel pump sould have been solid, they have been in the carburetor business for a while... they just appeared to be better than price point items, but not...

I research the heck out of everything, guess I'll be doing more of that now.

As far as heads and cams go. I am interested in AFR heads Cams, Isky cams lead the list - but would like to get some feedback on Clay Smith (I just like the logo), there are a couple other brands like Howards too. I'll be asking more questions here too.
Click to expand...
It’s a learning curve. I’ve found the newer trend is to buy used already installed parts of every kind. They have already been installed and worked…even body parts. Try to find a date coded pump close to your car build by a year or 2 and have it professionally rebuilt. Aluminum is pretty, but bad quality is ugly.
 
#17 ·
fairfax1000 said:
It’s a learning curve. I’ve found the newer trend is to buy used already installed parts of every kind. They have already been installed and worked…even body parts. Try to find a date coded pump close to your car build by a year or 2 and have it professionally rebuilt. Aluminum is pretty, but bad quality is ugly.
Click to expand...
Or they were installed and didn't work so for sale.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#18 ·
ridesdirt said:
Well, I am like company here, I see all the same issues covered here. Don't want to get to political or religious here, but it all goes back to God in schools to me.

As far as parts, I knew Edelbrock was a gamble for a water pump, but figured the fuel pump sould have been solid, they have been in the carburetor business for a while... they just appeared to be better than price point items, but not...

I research the heck out of everything, guess I'll be doing more of that now.

As far as heads and cams go. I am interested in AFR heads Cams, Isky cams lead the list - but would like to get some feedback on Clay Smith (I just like the logo), there are a couple other brands like Howards too. I'll be asking more questions here too.
Click to expand...
You are interested in AFR heads. They are cast by Edelbrock, then sent to AFR for machining and final assembly.
 
#20 ·
ridesdirt said:
I think they come from China now...
Click to expand...
The AFR Enforcer series is the Chinesium casting. Although it’s been proven the casting is a good one and performs well. It comes down to, do you want made in America or Chinesium?
This is why I buy Brodix heads. All of them are casted in the Brodix foundry, machined, assembled and completely made in Mena Arkansas USA.

I will admit from a price point not the most friendly head and the USA built and the China made AFR are excellent choices. If I were after a budget head Brodix is the winner for because it completely made in The USA. This is meaningful to me. Other may not care and that fine.
 
1 - 20 of 23 Posts
About this Discussion
22 Replies
16 Participants
Last post:
fastercar68
Team Camaro Tech
posts
2.4M
members
90K
Since
1998
A forum community dedicated to 1st generation Chevy Camaros owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, restoration, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, reviews, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Bench Racing Engine Body Shop Performance Brakes, Suspension & Steering