I got to install new headers this weekend! But there is a pinhole in the welding and there is evidence of an exhaust leak:mad:

*sidenote* '71 z 4speed stock everything... until now. The hole in the headers is literally about the size of a standard sewing needle

I was wondering if anyone else has had any issues with MSA, and how smooth the RMA's are. I plan on calling them tomorrow.

I have pictures, I can upload them tomorrow

Quality and good materials has gone out the door for nearly everything... coffee makers, refrigerators, dishwashers, car parts, camera's, music instruments, lawn mowers, light bulbs, tools, TV's, etc.

I heard of a chromed valve cover shipped with a gasket still on it.... and chromed too. More posts like this will force the supplier (MSA) to vet it's vendors better.

No doubt about the loss of quality. Even and especially workmanship is gone, it seems. Even where I work, it has been almost a year and I've yet to get any formal training or schooling, which is supposed to be a requirement of the company...

Also, where should I mount the throttle return springs now that I no longer have a heat shield?

Edited June 20, 201113 yr by JPx187

I'll need an l24 in front of me to recommend exact solution for spring anchor point.

Look for a free nut in the area below and cobble something with an aluminum bracket or even stainless steel wire.

Maybe use some sort of washer with hook below or some sort of bracket like this mounted to the carb mounting bolts and facing down:

Errors happen, and even the best manufacturers build a bad part now and then. The key is in how your vendor handles it. I'd call MSA on the phone (not email) and talk to them. I suspect they'll take care of it.

As for the return spring question - my heat shield mounts to the intake manifold, not the exhaust. You should be able to use the factory heat shield with the headers, unless there are other mods going on at the same time.

I recently had a return/exchange with MSA, it was handled very well. They also gave me a store credit for my return shipping cost. As Arne says, give them a chance to correct the problem. It is unreasonable to expect MSA or any other store to inspect every part they stock.

Jim

I spoke with the people at MSA and from what I hear the exchange program is very smooth. Chances are good that I'll be running again next weekend!