We have been quizzed a few times this week about supply of intakes in the future and costing after the above blog entry said -

"After that, there will be no more at this price point  that is for sure and whether we  have any more made with depend on customer demand. "

I really don't want to harp on this too much but I will provide this explanation. 

We started into the project of creating a Dual Carb intake for the 23 1/2" USA small block now several years ago.  We felt we could exploit all of the research, design, testing etc from the AoK triple intake for the 25 1/2" Canadian big block and really cut the cost to develop  this intake by a bunch.        While for reasons talked about before, the timing to get this from the drawing board to a prototype  way exceeded expectations.

Funny enough.. the  actual cost to bring it to that point was right on budget.        I know , good news right !

What did change for us was the production cost.    Cost of supplies increased a lot.    But that wasn't the big problem, nor was the unplanned costs to change some minor things. to the pattern to turn around the name and increase the size of the linkage block.

The big issue was our good friend who  has done all of our pattern work, and has casted the AoK triples for now 12 + years stopped doing it. He had lost his wife,  a great deal of things have happened in his life and  he sold everything and is out of the business.    Next is the fact that while  the projects hugely benefit by modern foam core molding and casting technology there are a very small amount of companies that will produce castings.    If it was a sand cast or other casting technology there are tons of options.

So imagine, we have all the patterns done, just need to get them casted and the 1st 3 companies our buddy recommended contacting told us..  "Sure we can do that for you. Love to, we have the expertise and we can start within the next 30 days"......    All good right... lol  "  On cost, well we need a minimum order quantity of 10,000 pieces"

Yikes..  so the minimum order quantity ranged from 1000,  to 10,000 pieces and the per piece cost ranged from  $700 down to $390 per casting.

Add heat treating, shipping to us,   machining work to take castings to have them ready to go out the door and there is a lot of different steps. and our cost  estimate on the cheapest side was $800 per.  Oh and the machine shop that did our triples,  he passed away so we needed to find another place to do it.

Tilt..   yes,   months ago this project was dead in the water.    We couldn't lay out money to cast 10,000, hell we couldn't do it for 1000 pieces.

We did finally find a supplier who would cast duals and triples in a lower quantity at least for a 1st run  and did find a  retired machinist  who had access to all of the machines to do the project that got the intakes in our hands  at a price we  could live with.   One of the big drivers was trying to get this project completed  for George while he is very much involved with the hobby. We first had a dream to shoot for his 80th..   then this summer I had to make a decision whether we would get something done for his 85th birthday or risk having this go down in flames.

To do it and an meet the demand of all the great people that have reserved an intake at a price point, I purchased the 1st one at a price that far exceeds what anyone is paying.. lol..   In other words folks..    without me doing that we would be loosing a lot of money on everyone we sell.     So I purchased #1  and guess who has it...    lol..  no, not me  it was George's 85th birthday present.

But the project is done, the dream has been realized.  All of our family and friends who wanted one  have or will get one and there were extra dual and triple intakes for sale.

We are trying to find a more cost effective casting company, and we  have shown our machinist buddy the casting invoicing. Were hoping now that he has done a bunch he may have a way to get them casting to ready to sell at a more cost effective price point.   We are no factoring in 1 nickel for all the development and patterns either.  This is just casting, heat treating, shipping, machining costs were talking, but if we cant do so at a tiny bit better than break even then, well were back to the start of this post.

Right now the cost far exceeds our selling price and we will talk to customers, but I am not sure we have people wanting to pay much more. It really doesn't matter that its better than anything ever made, people have their price point and after that point they go  in a different direction.  We all get that and honestly its all good.

We hope everyone who get one of these intakes enjoys them. I know the feedback over the years on the AoK triples has been incredible and for all those folks, thanks for being a part of the dream  and the history of the AoK boys!

Tim

I talked to George today and it sounds like the big block triples are now sold out and he has to talk with Tim but they don't have a lot left. I just snagged another small block dual intake and sadly George says he cant supply carbs for maybe 6 months and needs cores even then.    He had over 100 cores in late November and says he has built half of them and has ordered for more than he has to build. So congrats to the AoK boys.  Your intakes are clearly a huge hit.  Here is to hoping you guys can find casting and machining sources to keep prices down.  I am the wrong person to gauge what the market would pay. To me these were so cool and having AoK Racing on a triple or

George Asche Jr Ltd Ed  on the dual intake  has a cool factor that you just cant buy. Forget about I am sure there never has and never will be a better intake ever produced which really becomes I had to have them at almost any price.   I know easy for me to say now that I have mine purchased.

Thanks guys and please keep doing what you guys are doing.

Big Hugs from your Gal Pal !

B

Hey Tim -  don't want to sound off alarm bells but called a few times last week and didn't raise George.  I usually find it easiest to catch him in the evening.  I called through the day and was talking to his son who tells me  he actually has been in the hospital since the 24th.  Apparently doing well, but the building of carbs and shipping of intakes may be in a bit of a holding patterm

Barb

Well Barb

Good sleuthing. George hadn't been feeling 100% and yes the Doctor checking him in on the 24th.  He is being treated, my Mother went through the same thing and with time and some diet changes (no nuts and some other things), lots of prayers  and medical help he should be home soon. Believe me he is chomping on the bit to get back to his work bench.   

You are correct, on the intake front and more specifically on the carb and linkage front were in a bit of a holding pattern but don't anticipate it being a massive show stopper.

I can report that as of now all of the AoK triples for the big blocks are spoken for. I can put your name on a waiting list In case anyone bails, but barring that all we can do is take names and if  and when we have a price point to offer another round of them we can let you know, but right now I am afraid their out of  production at least for now.

 On the dual intakes for the small blocks,  we will have to wait until George is back hone to check a couple of notes he has on calls. I think there is 3-4 not spoken for but that is a guess and as Barb found out, unless you can produce rebuildable cores we cant supply anything beyond intakes  and if you want it the linkage.

There is the update.  Will keep you posted

Tim

Please wish George our best. At 85, any trip to the hospital is serious and I know for me, I have no problem waiting.   I did talk to George a few weeks ago and I was about number 40  in the line but all awesome things are worth the wait!

Prayers and Positive Thoughts for George's Speedy Recovery.

An update folks -  George is now back home from the hospital.  He is quite weak, but is up and moving around.  His daughter June is staying with him making meals etc and while its clearly taking longer for George to get back to himself than anticipated,  for being 85 years young I guess its to be expected.  I have passed on all the thoughts and notes from people and they are definitely appreciated. 

As it effects intakes, carbs and linkage,   we do now have 100% of the dual and triple intakes back from the machine shop.  I haven't been able to actually get down to George`s and start shipping out intakes to those who are just wanting intakes.   On my end of the world, my Mom hasn't been well the last few weeks and I have been on stand by as she has been in the hospital and going through a bunch of tests etc.     But I will be going down late this week or early next and get those moving.

For those who have ordered intakes with carbs and or linkage obviously were in a holding pattern and I apologize for that.  George has been pretty much been out of pocket for the last month and while we could enact a plan b, there is nothing like having the master building linkage and carbs so we would ask for and thank you for your continued patience.   

On numbers -  the Aok triples for the 25 inch big blocks are now sold out.    if you want to get your name on a waiting list in case someone bails or  for a future run, send me an email to fargopickupking@yahoo.com      On pricing, we will certainly be updating people as we have information, which is to say we wont be holding anyone to an order when or if there is a price increase without reconfirming.

On the AoK dual intakes there are still a few not spoken for. I think its either 2 or 3. Once they are spoken for we will be in the same situation as with the triple talked about above.

Tim

Hi Tim, glad to hear George is home, but sorry to hear his recovery is not going as well as expected.

Give him and his family my regards, for a speedy recovery.

I am also sad to hear your Mother is not doing well these days, not easy for her and not easy for you. I hope all works out for her, and she is feeling better soon.

I am glad the merchandise is moving along, and hope George is back in the workshop ASAP to get those orders fulfilled.

I sure wish I were much closer, could and would help you package and ship orders.

Hang in there Buddy, and lets hope all returns to normal real soon......

Howdy folks -

Well I am down at George's this week and I have passed on the many notes of good wishes to him.  The good news is he is actually up and cant move around on his own. The bad news is he is still very weak and definitely is not up to getting back to his bench and the hobby he loves so much.   Definitely we can not take any more work on at this point, and we will have to see  how this unfolds.    He has several engine jobs ahead of him and a large about of carbs, linkages etc.

His son's Rob and George III are swamped with the family business -  Asche Mechanical which rebuilds starters, generators,  alternators etc as its pretty much  Spring in PA and they have a huge lineup of work ahead of them.

So as of now  100% of the AoK intakes are done, machined and ready to ship.  If you are already on the list for intake(s) we are working through the list contacting customers over the next while to give them updates. We do have a very few AoK dual intakes not spoken for, although I believe all of the triples are now spoke for.   That may change as people on the waiting list of intakes are contacted.

Beyond that, for the time being we can supply intakes,  we can take your factory intake and make it into a dual intake or headers, but we wont able to take on any new orders for carbs, linkage, motors etc. 

We will keep you posted and definitely I can tell you George is looking forward to getting back to his bench, but right now he just isn't up to it.

Tim

Howdy Folks -   

Just thought I would put up a little update on the Flathead Mopar Grand Master -  George Asche Jr.  George is getting stronger every day and wants to say thank you for all the calls, cards and notes of support as well as the prayers from many.  George has slowly been easing back into his shop and this week, along with his Son Rob was finishing off a full race motor that goes in a 1933 Plymouth.  The Plymouths entire life has been as a  race car, with a couple of stints in Museums.    It recently has a major break down while up on a bank racing and its owner sought out George to do this build.  Just a couple of shots of the build including, yes, those are custom Forged pistons, with plasma moly rings.  If you look close you may notice the pistons actually have lasered  serial number on each piston.

The last couple of pictures  is George building a pair of carbs on an AoK  dual intake.  He has the bases on, the linkage all made up and adjusted, and then continues the build.  So he is back at it.   There is no question its a new normal for George, but he loves doing it and so he is working through the back log of work he has agreed to do.  Sadly, with 4 hi-performance engines and a ton of carb and/or linkage, and a few overdrives to rebuild he isn't taking on any new projects at this time.   That may change down the road, but for now his plate is full!

Sorry Folks - Both AoK intakes are now sold out.  If you would like to be on a waiting list you can email us at  fargopickupking@yahoo.com