Goat Hill Classics

[X66 714]

January 68. Your original?...Joe

[scuncio]

Yes, never been off....

[Jonesy]

wow!!

[L72Biscayne]

Back in 2006 when I was restoring my 66 Chevelle I purchased a idler pulley and bracket for my L78. The bracket legs were different lengths. When you placed it on a flat surface it wasn’t level so the belt didn’t line up with the other pulleys. I contacted goat hill and he pretty much told me to pound sand. I’ll never do business with him again. I cut one leg off and shortened it and welded it back then it was correct. I tried to tell him so no one else would have this problem but he didn’t want to hear it. Arrogant SOAB.

[Edgemontvillage]

If you are interested in more information on Fred Ballard's fuel pump rebuild service (and more of the same on Goat Hill) there is a good thread on CRG, here is the link:

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=4322.0

I had Fred rebuild the original 40669 pump from my 1969 Z/28. If you are in need of a basic rebuild for a driver his service is unique in the industry. If you are looking for a rebuild suitable for Legends, Top Flight etc judging probably not the right choice. Unlike Goat Hill Fred re-uses the AC crimp-on base so its unavoidable there will be some crimp marks and waviness when its re-installed (I posted photos of mine - see Post #30). He re-plates the bowl gold zinc whereas AC originally used gold dichromate. Finally, Fred uses a clear coat on the magnesium casting which gives it a semi-gloss finish. I wasn't aware of that when I had him rebuild mine so I imagine he would skip that process if asked. His turn around time was reasonable and he does the rebuilds in batches so you may need to wait until he has a sufficient number to proceed.

[Stefano]

I have used Goat Hill over the years with no issues regarding their workmanship. I did recently purchase a water pump from him for a 1967 Yenko Camaro. After waiting for it a while he asked me the build date of the car and said that he wouldn’t sell or ship it to me because the date was wrong. So he has my money and the part after weeks of sitting on it. Very frustrating situation, but did finally receive it.

[bergy]

I just spoke to Fred Ballard about restoring my fuel pump. He asked that I post his contact email on this site. Also, he can restore the pumps as a survivor (no new plating) or full restoration.

Fred Ballard:
[email protected]

[mssl72]

Originally Posted by bergy

... Also, he can restore the pumps as a survivor (no new plating) or full restoration.

The last time I was in contact with Fred about getting things done, the cost as a survivor pump or restored is the same. I don't know if he's changed that, but just a heads up. I still need to pull the pumps from my cars and get them done. The Caprice started weeping around the seam. I don't want to drive it like that.

[flyingfred]

Originally Posted by mssl72

The last time I was in contact with Fred about getting things done, the cost as a survivor pump or restored is the same. I don't know if he's changed that, but just a heads up. I still need to pull the pumps from my cars and get them done. The Caprice started weeping around the seam. I don't want to drive it like that.

This is Fred Ballard. The reason behind the pricing not being dfferent between a "survivor" and a restoration is two fold. When I am doing restorations, I do them in batches and the plating costs divided among a group of pumps make the plating fairly inexpensive and therefore not a factor in pricing. Also please note that the plating is actually zinc dichromate as done originally by the OEM. The colors of the dichromate can vary widely from green to red but mostly in the gold range. I have also reworked my assembly dies to the point that it is hard to tell that the pump was ever apart. Being as I do GM, Chrysler and Ford pumps, the disassembly machine requires different setups. This takes time and effort for a single "survivor" pump which actually takes me more time than doing a group of restorations. Therefore, it actually costs me more to do a "survivor" over a restoration. I am just trying to give everybody options. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

-Fred-

[bergy]

yes - survivor and full resto (with plating) are the same $$. He just provides the service because some people want to keep their survivor looking correct. Also, turn around on survivor resto is a lot quicker.