BEWARE Billet rear main retainers!!

[hiflyer727]

I have been having issues with a leaking rear main seal in my 440...So, I ordered a new billet rear main retainer, along with a rope seal kit to deal with the issue. After extensive reading, reading, and more reading all over the internet I thought my understanding of the do's, and do not's was well understood. After taking every precaution one could take the installation went well. Put everything back together, fired up the car and within 5 minutes the oil leak was worse then before. So, back on the lift with the car and tore into taking things apart again. I was stumped!!! I cleaned the billet retainer off, along with the stock 440 retainer and brought them both into the house to examine them. Well, this is the discovery I had made, and it is very noticeable from the photos. The billet retainer does not match the original; no way a seal, rubber, or rope would seal around the crank! One word describes the billet retainer, JUNK. I am so pissed about the so called quality of parts...How can something like this be sold on the market??? Sadly, I purchased the retainer from a very well know sponsor that many of us have used in the past. I realize they are at the mercy of their supplier, but still!! So, my word of caution, check your billet retainer against the original prior to install and save yourself from headaches, and money.

[brads70]

That sucks! Is the inside diameter off the same about as the lips on the one side?

[tman]

That is good info that you passed on.  Why not disclose where it was purchased.  I see no reason why not.  You are not bashing them, unless you advised them of it, and they say too bad.  I would hope they would make things right. 
There are those that have installed those billet retainers with high recommendations.  Wondering if there are more than one maker of those parts? 

[timbbuc2]

There should be a link on this forum   to leave reviews, whether it's good or bad. It may be one but I have not seen it. All of us buy repo parts. Would be very helpful

[Topcat]

Anyone recall my rant about aftermarket engine mounts on my Hemi?

That was the straw that broke the Camel's back for me regarding aftermarket stuff.

I recall they swore it was God's greatest gift for the Hemi mounting onto a 318/383/440 K member.

So I can relate to your frustration you're going thru.



Rule #1  Always compare every part that you suspect is an aftermarket to an original if possible.

Rule #2 Aftermarket means it might only work with other aftermarket parts. Or not at all.

Rule #3 Determine how long an aftermarket part has been doing successfully over a period of time.

Rule #4 If the aftermarket part was made in China, proceed with caution.

Rule #5 Call the aftermarket company or see what feedback is they have like on E Bay

 

[tman]

I do recall someone else having the same issue with their billet retainer.  But then you read about others who have had great success with others.  I see no problem posting a photo of the packaging that the defective unit was in showing the brand of the unit or, when someone has a good unit to show the packaging for that and where they were purchased.  It should be the goal to pass on information that all can succeed with their builds or projects.  The original posting of this retainer info is excellent, but since I don't know where I should not order one, it is sort of helpful.  I would hate to order the same unit and have the same problem. 

[rUNCHARGER]

That's pretty bad. I try to clean up and use the 50 year old parts when I can. Doesn't say much for todays business practices.

Sheldon

[hiflyer727]

Well, I found an original on Ebay and will be here Friday....I learned a valuable lesson!

[jimynick]

Well, I found an original on Ebay and will be here Friday....I learned a valuable lesson!

Right, but what lesson shall we learn, other than a vague advisement to not buy A/M? Which A/M and from what supplier? Simply telling the truth shouldn't be condemned.

[1 Wild R/T]

FWIW it looks like a 440 source part... The Mancini part is very similar but instead of a single groove for a stock style side seal the Mancini part uses two grooves for O ring type seals....