mrbudge Posted December 27, 2011 Share Posted December 27, 2011 Read an article about the factory in China where they make the rare earth magnets that we are finding everywhere these days, particularly in these wind turbines that are popping up everywhere, but also in automotive starter motors, heater motors,etc. I even found them holding the headliner of a Flex to the roof beams. The countryside around the factory was so polluted it made Sudbury look like a desert oasis. Money is one thing, but there are other costs involved with our dependence on our Chinese friends. I guess out of sight is out of mind. Is this thread officially hijacked yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Browning Posted December 28, 2011 Author Share Posted December 28, 2011 Is this thread officially hijacked yet? Back on topic I just replaced a radiator on a 2008 E450 with a V-10 gasser. The part was $781. What the fuck! Am I the only one that finds that to be out of control? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fredsvt Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 I was surprised at the fact that a Ford radiator for a 2006 Exploder (given a 2008, had to change cooler fittings) was LESS both cost AND list than offshore Chinese/Taiwanese/HK/Indonesian rads from 1-800 Radiator. List price IIRC was $321. On top of that, the rad was in stock at Ford, the one from the radiator place wasn't and they couldn't tell when, as they can't keep them in stock for that application. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buddy_M Posted December 28, 2011 Share Posted December 28, 2011 Was at a local parts store a few weeks ago, and seen a customer picking up a radiator for a 6.4, paid over 1000 for it with shipping. At the time didnt even know what Ford listed them for, but the next day for shits and grins I called and priced one out and was surprised to hear it only listed out around 750-800 thru the dealer. I mentioned that after I found out to the parts guy at the store and he was shocked to hear that Ford was actually less than their cost on the aftermarket radiator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Originally Posted By: mrbudge Is this thread officially hijacked yet? Back on topic I just replaced a radiator on a 2008 E450 with a V-10 gasser. The part was $781. What the fuck! Am I the only one that finds that to be out of control? This is going back awhile, but I put an engine in a Purolator van a number of years back, and they wanted the radiator replaced as kind of a preventative thing. If I recall rightly, the replacement radiator was around $140. This was a 5.4 gas E-strip chassis. Sometimes you get really surprised. Wheel bearings for a Tornass was another one, the OEM ones were cheaper than the jobber ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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