More of a Poll On Parts - But It Is Technical

[Jack Miller CLC# 24441]

Hi All,

I have been restoring cars since 1965. My first restoration was a 1962 Jaguar XKE. Since then, I can't even begin to think of how many cars I have done or countless parts that I have bought.
It just seems that these days, rebuilt parts or new re-manufactured parts, just don't last as long as they used to or should last.
I don't have unlimited money and I do have a few vintage cars that I try to keep running and refresh and keep safe on the road.
If it takes a person 4 years or more (not unheard of as it costs a lot) to restore a car, the parts should last till the car is done and longer.
I am curious about how all of you feel about the parts that are made these days, on how they last or stand the test of time. I just hope that it's not just me.

Thanks
Jack

[Bruce Roe]

That happens to me a lot, and usually the stuff is part or all made far away from USA or Canada.  Bruce Roe CLC # 14630

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

I've found major differences in rebuilt parts -- depending on who the rebuilder was.

Some guys know what they're doing and use quality replacement gaskets, seals, etc
and others don't.  For example, Arthur Gould is the best rebuilder of fuel pumps, water pumps
etc. and I've never had a problem with anything from him.  Ditto with Klaus Wojak for radio
antennas.  

Both of these guys have been doing it "forever" which also helps.

I've had rebuilt water pumps fail from local shops in less than 200 miles -- so I learned this
the hard way.

I've not personally had any bad experience with engine parts (camshfts, pistons, lifters, etc.)
but I've heard stories about all of the "junk" that's out there that's not up to original
specs.  Stuff from China, India has an especially bad rep.

Mike

[Otto Skorzeny]

Preaching to the choir my friend. I was just involved in a similar discussion on another forum.

A lot of parts are junk, made in East Crapistan or who-knows-where, and they fall apart in a few years or worse, as soon as you use them.

Internal engine parts are the scariest. Rocker arms and lifters from China are failing in newly rebuilt engines within a few hundred miles. These are not discount parts but come in kits sold by the big names in our hobby.

Some parts might not be of inferior quality, just the wrong part re-labeled as the correct part (vacuum advances are an example) It might look identical to the original part but performs to different or wrong specs.

I could go on but you get the picture.

[Jack Miller CLC# 24441]

Then if the part is faulty (maybe you bought it on sale a year ago, and collected the parts that you needed for your resto) you have to buy another POS part and you loose your labor and have to do it all over again. The parts guy says "Sorry". Sorry just don't cut it. Even a reputable company like A1 Cardone. I got a bad brake booster from them for my 67 GTO Convertible. They told me to bring it back to the store for an exchange, their mistake for a faulty rebuild. The booster in that car is a bi^ch to get in and out. But because I don't have a shop, they do squat about the labor. I can't tell you how many lost hours of labor that I have, due to faulty parts.
I wish that GM would do what Mercedes does. They have a vintage dept. that you can get just about any part for any of their cars, factory made. Some take time, but you get a Me/Be part that works.
We know that there are a lot of their vintage cars on the road. Maybe if they kept in some of their abandoned warehouses vintage parts, the hobbyists might help with their debts by buying parts direct from GM. You never know.
I bet that if any of us could get brand new parts for our cars from GM, we wouldn't look the other way.

Jack

[Otto Skorzeny]

First of all GM doesn't make most of the parts for it's vehicles in the first place. Most are made by independent companies that make parts for all car manufacturers. Just look at their current light trucks - the frames are made by a Canadian company that you probably have never even heard of called Magna.

The point is all of these old parts would have to be made by someone other than GM - as they are already. GM has enough trouble building quality new cars. They certainly would be hard pressed to control the quality of every reproduction part for every car made in the last 100 years. It simply isn't feasible.

Don't think it's all peaches and cream over at Mercedes Benz either. The parts for antique cars that are no longer in regular production cost a fortune. Sure, they'll sell you an axle shaft for a 1930 Grosser Mercedes but it will cost you $12,000.

[tony m]

Hey Guys, If you play you must pay........


Tony M.

[eam32]

HEY GANG!  Just be careful when you are buying your replacement parts at the parts shops. I try not to purchase parts made in China if I can help it by inquiring with the shop if the same part is available that is made in USA or Canada. I have found, at least lately, that there are some good parts made here and Canada that are slightly more expensive but of somewhat better quality. The brand "STANDARD" has quite a few parts made in good ole USA so check them out when you're buying. Any you guys know of any other brands that make parts in USA or Canada you should let us all know so we can all get back on line with our own beautiful country as long as it doesn't drift toward Socialism, etc.  GOD BLESS OUR GREAT COUNTRY - LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!   EAM

[Otto Skorzeny]

Airtex fuel pumps. Brand new for '56 Cadillac, less than $50 and made in USA. That was a year or so ago so they could be made on the moon today for all I know.