Tim and Dave Kostansek

[Deleted User]

I was just wondering if anyone else has had a problem with any of the items they may have ordered from Tim and Dave in Ohio.

I ordered a few different item including a set of plug wires for my 1940 hudson ,6 cylinder.

The number one and four were to short. I called and asked about it and was told that maybe my dist. was a half turn out. I was told they would make me two more wires and they would be a couple inches longer. He would ship them the same day. I checked with Sam Jackson in Santa Fe and he sent me a picture of his forty and it was just like mine.

After two weeks I called Tim and Dave and asked about my wires and they said they had so much snow they were behind on their orders. Two weeks later I called again and was told they had made the wires but forgot to ship them. Its been three week and I give up. I will now get anything I need for my hudson somewhere else. Has anyone else had a problem ordering from Ohio????

[Deleted User]

Never had a problem with them. My experiences, top notch.

nick s

Granted I live about 200 miles from Dave, I can talk to him Sunday and have parts at my door Tuesday so delivery is not an issue. Being close has that as a perk, but I can also vouch for the weather across Ohio this past month. Between high winds, ice storms and snow, power in remote areas has been hit or miss at best. I live in a more populous area than them and lost power for three days during the ice while other areas were about a week. Just recovering from that the winds took a few hours of a day and had an annoying day and half of flickering power. Following that, north eastern ohio got several feet of snow not sure what dave and tim got, but they're in what is typically about the worst hit of the state with the lake effect off of erie often when they get 4-6 it's feet not inches.

Last spring I had a catastrophic bearing failure on the way to a meet. Was able to get hold of Dave on his way out the door he postponed his departure to dig through his normal wares as well as the sheds of the other stuff to get everything on my list to get my front end back together. It wasn't about the sale, the bearings and seals and a couple unrelated parts of his normal parts that would be easy to grab were the only things he charged me for, the box of parts that took the digging and scrounging (the parts that I couldn't get from NAPA)were not on the bill.

Over the last 20 years I can't remember getting anything that didn't fit or was misrepresented from them.

Ol racer

FYI

I have dealt with Dave Kostensek and Tim Cheney for years with never a problem receiving anything I requested timely and the correct Items. I also have found them to be very helpful to all my requests. Residing in northwestern Pa. I can attest for the brutal winter in this whole tri-State area that is nearing a record snowfall. Any Business may have a rare exception to an order, so hopefully you will reconsider doing business with Dave & Tim.

Chuck

ski4life65

I too have been dealing with Dave and Tim for longer than I can remember, and have never had a problem. it's not too often that any company will send a product before payment has been received, but Dave has never let me down on his speed of shipment, which I am sure is before he even gets my check. I hope you give them another chance.



Don

[Deleted User]

I think there may be another part of the problem that may not be evident but may be a factor. If I recall correctly Tim Cheney works for the county as a truck driver for one of the local DOT units. It could be possible that with all the snow he may have been working a lot of overtime and not had the time to do anything on the side which is what he and his Uncle Dave consider selling Hudson parts. Priorities with his main job come first.

SuperDave

My dealings with them way down in Florida have been great. I ask for the part, I get it, I pay. Not many people do that now adays. Still waiting for my transmission mount from another vendor, paid for long ago.

harry54

Tim and Dave are the best.... We're blessed as a Car Club to have them..

russmaas

SuperDave wrote:

Still waiting for my transmission mount from another vendor, paid for long ago.

I have a feeling I know who that vendor is.

Aaron D. IL

Sorry you had a bad experience Hudson40. I'd chalk it up to bad luck though. I once ordered a coil from him and when I was putting it on with very little pressure the post on it broke. Dave didn't make me pay shipping and return the broken coil though, he simply replaced it. Dave has a few parts you might be hard pressed to find elsewhere and there's so few Hudson vendors out there can't be making a whole lot of money for what he does do. He knows where the parts go on the car and what they look like and can offer advice too, he's a serious hobbist. I know from most businesses we expect instant gratification but bear in mind the cars we drive have waited at least 50 years. to be made new again. You do what you feel to be right though. It is your money and I won't presume to scold you for whatever choice you make. I'm only telling you my experience with the guy.

hdsn49

I have never had a problem with Dave and Tim. They have been great to deal with. Sometimes ---- happens. I'm sure they will make good on their promises

Jim Kilday

They've always jumped through hoops for me. Can't say enough good things about them.



Jim Kilday

Unknown

I just call Dave. Tell him what I need. Get it in few days with bill inclosed. Been doing this over 20 years.

PAULARGETYPE

Hudson 40 I too have never had a problem with Dave or tTm or any of the other guys who work there I'm sorry you have had this problem IN MY BOOK THERE TOP NOTCH

Jon B

Hudson 40, I just spoke to Dave Kostansek on the phone. He's sorry for the delay and will contact you shortly regarding the proper lengths of the wire.



But, he explained to me that over the years, one or two other people have had the same problem with the #1 and #4 wires being too short. And the problem wasn't with the wires -- it was with the engine!



Question: are the #1 and #4 wires coming out of the distributor cap on the "radiator side" of the distributor? Or on the "firewall side"? They should be on the radiator side.



If the cap is turned so that they come out the firewall side, they won't be long enough!



If that's the case, here is what has happened:



Your distributor fits in, in only one way. That's because there is a slot on the bottom of the distribuotr shaft which fits only one way into the extension shaft that runs down to the camshaft.



However, the extension shaft itself may have accidentally been rotated 180 degrees by some former owner of the car, when he was rebuilding the engine. The bottom of the extension shaft fits a spiral gear on the camshaft and it can mesh in any orientation. If it was installed 180 degrees "off", then the distributor itself will have the #1 and #4 wires coming out the wrong side, and the wires won't be long enough.



So, if that's the case, you must carefully (OH so carefully!) unscrew the clip that holds in the extension shaft and then rotate it EXACTLY 180 degrees, and replace the hold-down clip. (I don't own a 1940 so I assume it's some sort of clip.) Remember, the engine won't run if you get this wrong! Also remember that you're dealing with a spiral gear at the bottom of the shaft; the shaft will always rotate slightly when you push it "home".



I hope this helps!

[Deleted User]

Jon.

Thanks for the information. The number one and four wire do come out on the firewall side. If the dist. was out 180 degrees would the car not run poorly? If that is the case, can I raise the dist. up just far enough to clear the gear and then rotate the shaft 180 degrees?

Thanks again to all who have posted. I welcome the comments.

I agree that they (Tim and Dave) have a lot of parts at resonable prices, but I like to deal with people that do what they say they will do. I don't feel I should keep bugging them to do their job. We are the customers.

Hudson40

[Deleted User]

I too have only good things to say about Dave and Tim regarding Hudson electrical parts. I once needed a rebuilt starter for my '50 Pacemaker a few years ago and they sent me one within a few days. Great service from two great Hudson individuals!



Dan

Unknown

anyone got thier e mail or number? its been a while since i bought stuff but need some stuff!



thanks



bob

Jon B

Hudson40, because I'm only familiar with the 1930's Hudsons, I can't answer your question. I don't think you can simply raise and rotate your distributor 180 degrees and plunk it back down, because (I think) that the extension shaft is separate. When you raise the distributor the shaft will remain in the block because the distributor and extension shaft are not joined.



I think you will have to release and raise (then rotate) the extension shaft itself, after removing the distributor.



But I don't know this for sure.



However, it does sound like the problem is with the engine (or more properly, with the modification done to the engine by a past owner), and not with the length of the cables you got. They are the correct length, it's just that in your case, the correct length won't work!

barrysweet52

There is no money to be made in selling Hudson spares, or reproductions. Its a service to other Hudson owners mixed in with family and other work commitments. My advice is to show patience, understanding and respect for those with the knowledge.



Its also amazing how a lot of people in the various car clubs for various reasons have no spare parts at all for their price and joy. I get the impression they think that in the future, parts will be cheaper and easier to find. As the years go by we have to be prepared to do more and more work on our own cars because a lot of mechanics are not interested. Regards, Barry

tigermoth

i have done several deals with them. they have always been super! regards, tom

Richard E.

When I ordered plug wires for my '36T, the coil wire was too short, also two of the radiator hoses were too short. I called Dave and he was happy to correct the problem. I have had many productive dealings with these guys and we are lucky to have them in the Hudson reproduction business.

SamJ

Jon B wrote:

Hudson40, because I'm only familiar with the 1930's Hudsons, I can't answer your question. I don't think you can simply raise and rotate your distributor 180 degrees and plunk it back down, because (I think) that the extension shaft is separate. When you raise the distributor the shaft will remain in the block because the distributor and extension shaft are not joined.



I think you will have to release and raise (then rotate) the extension shaft itself, after removing the distributor.



But I don't know this for sure.



However, it does sound like the problem is with the engine (or more properly, with the modification done to the engine by a past owner), and not with the length of the cables you got. They are the correct length, it's just that in your case, the correct length won't work!

The wires Stan was sent were not the correct length. They sent the ones intended to be used with a side mounted distributor.