Lost a lot of faith in FFR, BluePrint and Performance Automotive today

[FLFrank35]

Lost a lot of faith in FFR, BluePrint and Performance Automotive today. Took time off from work, dad was flying in, and friends and neighbors were all coming to help install the eng/trans. And after doing 2 days of prep work I discover that FFR sent the wrong driveshaft yoke, and the flex plate doesn't mate up with the torque converter. So I got to pay for another yoke, and spend many hours in the shop and on-line trying to figure out why I can't get the flex plate/torque converter to mate :mad:

I have the 28 spline shaft, Ford 306 EFI, AOD 4R70W

Anyone else have these problems?:(

Frank

[edwardb]

If Factory Five sent you the wrong part, you need to talk to them. Unless there's more to the story, they should resolve that for you without spending more money. Sorry for your issues, and not making excuses for anyone. But these are custom builds with parts coming from a lot of different directions. Unfortunately this kind of thing happens. Can't test and mock-up too much.

[wallace18]

FFR has nothing to do with the engine/trans. You need to talk to Blueprint and Performance Automatic. I just went thru this with my wife's 33 I am building. I had no issues with the flex plate but had to buy a yoke for the driveshaft. FFR should offer the correct driveshaft for this combo. see my build thread for some hints. Sorry you had to go thru this as well. See post #36.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?34246-Marsha-s-Gen-1-33-build-by-Wallace18

[Olli]

Read through Wallace's thread he did a great job detailing what works. But I understand your frustration as when you buy a "package" it should all be compatible.

Olli

[FLFrank35]

Agree with you all. But these "packages" are sold by companies/people with enough experience to ensure the package ships with the correct parts. I understand the human factor, but being a first-time builder and not a mechanic, I spent time on the phone with both FFR and BluePrint to ensure I ordered the correct combo of parts. And I STILL end up with an incorrect yoke and eng/trans parts that aren't compatible.

Talked to FFR and BluePrint...
Tony at FFR said I could get the correct yoke on the internet and wouldn't cost too much. I got one for $175, ouch! I will see if they will accept the incorrect one for a refund.
Johnny and Josh at BluePrint tried to help by suggesting trying to find a replacement flexplate (which was unsuccessful), and filing the bolt holes bigger.
Will try to contact Performance Automotive and see if they have any insight.

This is just not the kind of service I expect after laying down a large chunk of money:(

I know I'll get this resolved but I'll have a hard time restoring faith in these companies or recommending them to anyone.

Thanks for the input.
Frank

[FLFrank35]

Thanks for the link/video wallace18. I was given Performance Automotive part #PAYK45800...I hope it works.

[FLFrank35]

Update...Ok, BluePrint connected me with their warranty department and the Performance Automatic guy. He sent me a new flexplate and torque converter. The flexplate was the same as my original (it didn't fit) but the new torque converter did fit my transmission and original flexplate. So I think I'm good to go. The only thing is, the new converter is bigger than the original. I think the original had a 3500 rpm stall and the new one has a 2400 rpm stall but is "street smart" whatever that means.

As far as the yoke, and the way I understand it, FFR ships a standard driveshaft to fit most applications but in my case, I needed a different yoke. So it's up to me to buy that...fair enough. And Tony was nice enough to add some credit to my FFR account...that was nice of him.

Going to try to install the engine/trans this weekend...wish me luck:)

[q4stix]

Glad to hear it all is pretty much resolved. Have fun with the install!

[FLFrank35]

Bill from Performance Automatic sent a new flexplate and torque converter via expedited shipping. The flexplate fit the new converter but not my crank. The new converter fit my flexplate and trans, so I guess we're go to go. There's a notable size difference between torque converters...the old one (3500 rpm stall) is the smaller one; the new one is bigger (2400 rpm stall). I'm not sure why I couldn't get a 3500 rpm converter to fit my plate but Bill says I'll be fine with the 2400.

[BluePrintEngines]

Update...Ok, BluePrint connected me with their warranty department and the Performance Automatic guy. He sent me a new flexplate and torque converter. The flexplate was the same as my original (it didn't fit) but the new torque converter did fit my transmission and original flexplate. So I think I'm good to go. The only thing is, the new converter is bigger than the original. I think the original had a 3500 rpm stall and the new one has a 2400 rpm stall but is "street smart" whatever that means.

As far as the yoke, and the way I understand it, FFR ships a standard driveshaft to fit most applications but in my case, I needed a different yoke. So it's up to me to buy that...fair enough. And Tony was nice enough to add some credit to my FFR account...that was nice of him.

Going to try to install the engine/trans this weekend...wish me luck:)

I'm just seeing this, but wanted to address it. Firstly, Sorry for the issue, and glad it was resolved. Between us and FFR, we do everything we can to know what each other are doing, and provide rapid response to issues that come up.

In the flexplate scenario, its much more likely for a $60 flexplate to be machined incorrectly, vs a torque converter having the pads welded or drilled wrong. We have lots of these packages on the road, with the same parts list. Still surprised it was converter vs flexplate, but nonetheless, happy it was fixed relatively fast.

2 years ago we didn't even offer an auto ford, and FFR didn't "support" a ford auto. Present day, I've worked with Tony, and they can/will provide a 4R70W or AOD yoke if requested at time of order. (FYI the 2 yokes differ)

This was also the first converter/flexplate issue I encountered.

One thing I will say is with a FFR build, and our package, you Do have vendors willing and ready to help with issues.

anything else comes up, don't hesitate to contact us.

Johnny@BluePrintEngines.com