Update on TCI transmission

Just got off the phone with TCI to find out what is up with my Son's transmission. They say the front pump went out, which in turn fried the torque converter and front clutches. They have agreed to fix it under warranty (only has 200 miles tops on it) but we have to pay the freight back too. We already paid $100 to get it to them, now it's $100 more. :(

I called Summit to let them know we are a little put out about a brand new transmission failing, especially since we thought we were buying a quality brand, and they have agreed to kick in another $ 25 gift certificate in addition to the first $ 50 gift certificate to help with shipping. I think that is very fair of Summit but a little disappointed in TCI. I know this will be the last transmission we ever buy from them. I just hope it works right when they do it this time.

Don

I realize any company can turn out a bad one every so often, it just happens. But what separates the good companies from the not so hot ones is how they react to make the customer whole.

They tried saying they were being generous because the transmission was purchased outside their 90 day warranty period, but I told them if they know anything about building a car, we seldom get to actually use those parts for a year or maybe longer while the car is being completed.

Just upsetting that it is something we didn't do and yet it cost us freight 3 times, once when we bought it, and twice to send it and get it back from them. There is an old adage in business that if you please a customer they will tell another person, but if you don't please them they will tell 5 people. So many companies win the battle and lose the war by being short sighted. :mad:

Don

Don wrote:

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I realize any company can turn out a bad one every so often, it just happens.

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The way I have heard it, it's happened more then "every so often". :eek:
And I am also sure that problems exist at other companies as well, maybe just not as frequent. Engines and transmissions, both have a lot of parts and the more parts the more chance of problems.

I hope the rebuilt one lasts a lifetime, yours, not it's.:D

Did you pay by credit card?????if so take it up with the credit card people

That's a good thought on the CC, but it was purchased a year ago, but not put into service until November. Since then it only has a few miles on it, but the time thing is the problem putting in a claim.

I guess we have to trust they will do it right this time and go from there if it isn't.

Don

there are very few venders i buy from anymore. this bs of us having to pay shipping for returns is industry wide now. . we've had our share of tci problems. mostly converters. when it comes to trans i buy local. i get a better box and if i have a problem it is easy to take care of. believe me they know you will have it setting around for a year and wont have to warranty it. they'll just say it was your fault anyway.

I agree Shine. I am not overly impressed with them. They were not very apologetic about their transmission failing after 200 miles. :(

Don

Some of you will remember that's the same situation I had with Gibbon Fiberglass. When the body wouldn't fit the enging/trans combo it had been designed for, they said: "No problem. Just bring it back and we'll fix it."

Taking it back involved borrowing a trailer, driving 650 miles round trip, and a night in a motel. I had to do that twice. Once to deliver, once to pick it up. Oh . . . and it still didn't fit. I had to re-work it.

Gibbon is now out of business.

Don I'm glad to hear they are fixing it. Would be nice if they covered the shipping back to you tho. We used to have a "Fairbanks" trans shop local here years ago. They did all my C6 rebuilds back in the day. Long gone now but they were THE shop here at the time for anything automatic. Wish they were still around. For the Cougar's C6 I'll use Broader for the rebuild. They have a pretty good rep. Anyway best of luck and hope yer back on the road soon.

Glenn.

Jack, I remember the problems you had with Gibbons. That was another name that I always considered to be quality simply because of hearing about them and seeing their ads so much. I guess the change in ownership did them in?

Glenn, yep, Fairbanks was one of the big guns some time ago and I never heard anything bad about them. Good luck with the C6 you are having done. I have a C6 sitting on my shop floor that I bought from Jackson Racing Transmissions. The one in my T came from them, as did the TH350 in my Sons '29. They seem to do a pretty good job too.

Don

Don
Because of this thread, I went local for my c6 rebuild. At first I was floored by the price, and I quoted the company what I could get one from Summit for. But after reading the TCI problems, I talked with a local mechanic, to recogmend a local place. When Santa Rosa transmission rebuilt the c6, I pointed out it would not be not be running for about six months, they said thats ok, just bring it in after your driving it for a leak inspection. They also gave me a three year/ thirty thousand mile warrenty.
When you quoted the old addage of one happy customer tells one person, but an unhappy customer tells 5, it is true. I point this out to my coworkers on a daily basis. I have seen tight fisted places run into the ground, because they wouldn't stand behind stuff they sell.
One company that amazes me with the oposite of this, is Costco. You can buy anything there, break it ten years later, and most places will still take it back. I hope this works out for Don. He had a string of bad luck with that car, right from the get go! I truely feel for him, because I experienced the same thing, on my first car, 68 Mustang, when I was 16. I poured my heart into it, and the car fought me every step of the way. I finally sold it to get a plane ticket to the Florida Keys(one of the best moves of my life!):3dSMILE:

There is something to be said for dealing with a local transmission shop, that's for sure Steve. The warranty alone is usually much better than the 90 days people like TCI are giving. (what's with THAT.......90 days!! :confused: ) They REALLY trust their transmissions to give a whole 90 days, don't they?? :rolleyes:

You are right about Don being discouraged about his T. Poor guy hasn't been able to use it one time when something hasn't gone wrong. It has gotten to the point where I have to keep after him to come to the shop and work on it, he's dumped all that money in it and can't even drive it. I know we are at the end of the tunnel because we have addressed every problem it has had, so it HAS to be getting better. It's just hard to convince him of that right now.

Isn't hot rodding FUN!! :LOL: :LOL:

Don

You almost make me want to pull out my TCI C4 and replace it with the one I rebuilt myself. The C4 is so simple, I can't see how they could mess it up though and I did have the pan off and did check it out thoroughly to make sure every thing was there. Regardless, I still have my spare, as well as my almost new stock converter JIC:D

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Originally Posted by DennyW

It almost makes me want to go back in business....:LOL:

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Nah. You can't make enough on the new electronic transmissions

Ok since were talking transmissions. My rebuild came with an 1800 stall stock converter. With the mild 429 attached to my 48 f1 and a 9 inch f150 rear, will this work, or should I trade up?:eek: The transmission place will take this converter back, so cash isn't an issue.

Just got off the phone with TCI. Don's transmission is done and ready to come back. Asked what they found and he said the pump went out and fried the converter and clutches. Asked how often that happens, he said "well, any man- made product has some failures, but it doesn't happen often." :rolleyes:

So, it looks like it might be back later in the week and he and I can get it reinstalled. Hope this is the end of his problems. :(

I think well use wingnuts to install it, just in case. :)

Don

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Just got off the phone with TCI. Don's transmission is done and ready to come back. Asked what they found and he said the pump went out and fried the converter and clutches. Asked how often that happens, he said "well, any man- made product has some failures, but it doesn't happen often." :rolleyes:

So, it looks like it might be back later in the week and he and I can get it reinstalled. Hope this is the end of his problems. :(

I think well use wingnuts to install it, just in case. :)

Don

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Don,
Did you really expect a logical answer? Sounds more like a CYA kind of response. A couple of calls I had with them when I bought the wrong diameter and balance converter was barely comprehensible English.:LOL: :LOL:

Still not overly impressed with TCI. Not only do I have to reintroduce myself to the same guy everytime and refresh his memory on who we are (:confused: ) but even when he finally remembers the story it is like they are doing us some big favor by even repairing it for us at no charge.

Today he said "and we have decided to also give you a brand new torque converter too." BIG WHOOP, the old one blew up!! Nowhere in any conversation have they offered one apology or sense that they have any responsibility in this. It would have been nice if they just once said "wow, sorry this happened and we will do our best to take care of it for you."

Summit at least kicked in a few bucks to defray some of the shipping costs, and they didn't have to.

Don

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I think well use wingnuts to install it, just in case. :)

Don

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Sounds to me like a bunch of "wingnuts" built it in the first place:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Hope it works this time....

maybe there warranty is so short because tci is racing products? heck around here if u buy a trans and have them beef it for racing there is NO warranty nobody warrantys that stuff here. :(

I considered that, about racing products not having the same warranty. Maybe that is the reason.

On the other side of the scale, Brookville Roadsters just called me, Dan's body is leaving Friday. They have followed up each step of the way and done exactly what they promised. He is also going to call me with the truck line pro number as soon as it goes out the door so we can track it into Ft Myers. Their customer service has been great so far, and they are hitting the target date they promised us. :)

Can't wait until I can afford that '32 coupe body they sell. :rolleyes: :)

Don

:3dSMILE: Don TCI doesn't realize your celebe status!:LOL: If they had any idea of how many people had read this thread alone, they'd have been a better customer service place. If if helps, they lost my 799, plus shipping!
Glad to hear Brooksville is soo much better in customer relations, and I'll give Summit a plug too!:3dSMILE:

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I considered that, about racing products not having the same warranty. Maybe that is the reason.

On the other side of the scale, Brookville Roadsters just called me, Dan's body is leaving Friday. They have followed up each step of the way and done exactly what they promised. He is also going to call me with the truck line pro number as soon as it goes out the door so we can track it into Ft Myers. Their customer service has been great so far, and they are hitting the target date they promised us. :)

Can't wait until I can afford that '32 coupe body they sell. :rolleyes: :)

Don

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Don,
It must be that someone reminded Brookville that they really need customer service after turning out bodies like the Tuesday morning after a Monday holiday POS I got - I felt like I had to after several calls and trying to work with them. At least my dealer was great and made me "well".

Wow, what was wrong with yours? Ours is coming unassembled and unprimed. Dan and I built a jig platform the other day to lay it up on and assemble it. Was yours assembled unstraight or what?


Don

[QUOTE=stovens]:3dSMILE: Don TCI doesn't realize your celebe status!:


Haha, I tried telling them that, but it didn't fly. :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:


Don

I wonder if buying a new Summit brand trans would be a better idea.. Summit is great with there customer service, seems as tho they would make everything right if somthing was wrong.. when my MSD 6BTM went south after less than 10 hours run time, I called Summit and they told me that an exchange was no problem, just send it back, I did and about 1 week later, I had a new 1

yeah when do we get our signed pics of your car? id frame mine:LOL:



[QUOTE=Itoldyouso][QUOTE=stovens]:3dSMILE: Don TCI doesn't realize your celebe status!

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Haha, I tried telling them that, but it didn't fly. :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:


Don

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Wow, what was wrong with yours? Ours is coming unassembled and unprimed. Dan and I built a jig platform the other day to lay it up on and assemble it. Was yours assembled unstraight or what?


Don

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Don,
This is a posted (elsewhere) review of what I had for a few of the problems - it's far from an inclusive list. StylinZ (Michael) has suffered many of the same with his body:

I think Brookville is a better choice than trying to restore a 74 - 75 year old original ‘31A roadster but I am at least a 2 years behind on finishing this project. I am NOT a body man. I feel that there should be an attempt by the manufacturer to produce a "quality" product as the Golohans (sp?) of Brookville stated to me. This is a partial list of aches and pains:
1.Right quarter was totally flat - did not have a bit of curve to match the left nor the door. This took many hours of disassembly and reassembly.
2. Neither rear quarter was welded to the sub frame – only had 6-8 tabs bent over the subframe – made for a floppy body.
3. The floor boards kinked while kneeling(I weigh less than 200#) in them to set up the seats - required new ones made up by my local Metal Supermarket.
4. Cowl cover missed the right cowl side by over 1/2 an inch, the left by ~1/4"
5. Hinges were bound up so tight they kinked the doors. Bushed with Oilite and made new pins and straightened the kinks
6. Most body rivets not bucked enough - needed to bolt and/or weld the entire body together.
7. Belt molding under the windshield needed complete reshaping.
8.The original one piece windshield posts that I purchased were ground to the point of paper thickness - returned for credit - also they completely misdrilled the brass risers for the posts.Also the posts were not finished or chromed – read the (real) fine print. I ended up with LeBarron Bonney all stainless 2 piece posts
9. I ordered a 5" recessed firewall for a SB Ford and got a 3" so needed to modify it 2 more inches to clear.
10. The grille shell needed many repairs to look look and fit properly. I guesstimate to be >40 hours worth
11. When fitting up the top, the upolsterer discovered the entire rear section of the body was off by up to .500 which required him to “adjust “ the rear window in the top fabric.
12. The “hot rod” rear deck former is just plain poorly done – I should have elected for the original wood style. This was at least partially corrected.
13. Their poor grade of primer had to be completely stripped – it was up to .030 thick in places and covering a multitude of workmanship sins
14. There isn’t a single panel on the car that is smooth enough for prime and paint without many, many hours of metal, filler and high fill primer work
And it goes on and on. I guess they may make and OK 28-9 and 32, but after this experience, not for me - I'd buy someone else's. I’m making the best of it and it will be a nice car when done but the extra work on a “new steel car” has been frustrating
Oh yes – one good thing happened – it fit the TCI frame nicely (theirs appears to be an old design TCI clone) !!!!

So..............besides that, were there any issues???????? :eek: :LOL: :LOL:

Really sorry to hear about all that. I wonder if that was just the exception rather than the rule? The bed Dan got from them was super nice, and every body we have seen at Daytona and elsewhere has looked pretty good. Since we are going to jig this one and assemble it ourselves I sure hope we bypass any of those same problems.

I'll do some posting with pictures as we go along.

Don

i have also noticed that about TCI. One other thing that really bugs me is when they try and rush you off of the phone like I know everything that they are talking about.?!?? I just installed a NEW TCI converter in my TCI trans*previously running fine* just updating the old one for a future build. and something wasnt wrong at all. * dont want to bore you all with the details* but after getting off the phone about 10 different times with 10 different guys from TCI, i got just about a different story from everyone. basically summing it down to replacing the stock coverter to see if it works still. With me working an hour and a half from where my truck is stored, and living an hour away from work just about made me sick thinking about that... AGAIN.

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

So..............besides that, were there any issues???????? :eek: :LOL: :LOL:

I'll do some posting with pictures as we go along.

Don

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Something like ..."besides that Mrs. Lincoln, did you enjoy the play"

To answer in one word - YES

The body paint is now done - and it will meet the chassis later today, tomorrow latest once I get the transmission pan back on with a temperature sender installed

Oooooooh, very pretty A you got there. :) It was worth all the work you had to do, but I'm sure you didn't see it that way at the time.

Don