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Good stuff to ALWAYS pirate from junk/parts cars

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Brad54, Jan 21, 2006.

  1. Brad54
    Joined: Apr 15, 2004
    Posts: 6,022

    Brad54
    Member
    from Atl Ga

    While I was cleaning up out in the shop today, it occured to me that there are a few things I ALWAYS swipe from parts cars, to "have on hand" when the time comes.

    What they are, and the specific reasons I grab them, follow:

    Lug nuts. Every old car or trailer I've EVER bought or messed around with came into my possession missing at least a couple of lug nuts. I now have a bin in my bolt bin dedicated to lug nuts.

    Brake line junction blocks. The br*** "T" fittings (or more fittings) with the mounting tab on them. In a lot of cases, these aren't reproduced. Any time you're building a car and starting with a different rear end, you'll need one of these. They also come in handy when you're running new brake lines on an old ch***is--especially one that had a single jug master cylinder.

    Alternator brackets. Just nice to have a couple options to choose from to get things to line up right. Also good to have around as starting points for making your own.

    The big washer in the front hub; the one between the wheel bearing and the castle nut. They have a little notch on them that rides in a keyway cut into the spindle. These are frequently replaced with a regular fender washer, while a nail has usually been subs***uted for the cotter pin.

    Misc. nuts and bolts that still have their original finish on them...or at least are not all rusted up. These go in the bolt bin, for use on other projects.

    From Small Block Chevy engines (especially in junk yards), I always swipe the original tabs that they bolted to the intake manifold for hooking the factory engine hoists to. These come in handy for any engine, and should be stashed in the tool box any time you come across them. '60s Pontiacs also have these prominant hoist points bolted to the engines. Other may as well, but I've always had good luck finding them on Chevys.

    Are there any GENERIC items you guys find on junk cars that you grab as a matter of policy? I'm not talking about finned aluminum brake drums on Buicks or aluminum water necks from small block Chevys (I always grab those if they're in good shape...and check every early Nailhead I find for them as well).
    What are the parts you can't resist, and why do you grab them?

    -Brad
     
  2. 2manybillz
    Joined: May 30, 2005
    Posts: 843

    2manybillz
    Member

    Carburetor linkage, springs and brackets, usually can cobble up what I need from my collection.
     
  3. 38fordcoupe
    Joined: Aug 24, 2004
    Posts: 83

    38fordcoupe
    Member

    Dome lights,dash knobs, column mounted shift indicators. Early to mid-sixties Olds have some really cool dashknobs and chrome metal a/c outlets!
     
  4. Automotive Stud
    Joined: Sep 26, 2004
    Posts: 4,391

    Automotive Stud
    Member

    Jack and lug wrench. For some reason cars are always missing these, so I grab em when I can.
     
  5. kb cookout
    Joined: Dec 17, 2004
    Posts: 5,805

    kb cookout
    Member

    heres some more

    fuses,
    flasher units,
    headlite plugs (old 3 prong type good for wiring flashers),
    headlite swiches and plugs,
    coils and brackets....
    interior trim screws,
    door panel clips
    power truck lock ****ons ( found in glove boxes)


    later kb
     
  6. Automotive Stud
    Joined: Sep 26, 2004
    Posts: 4,391

    Automotive Stud
    Member

    KB reminded me of my stash of floor mount dimmer switches and matching plugs.
     
  7. BigButch
    Joined: Jan 20, 2006
    Posts: 4

    BigButch
    Member

    when ya gotta change engines as much as ya do with a SBC, ya gotta have prominent hoist brackets! Seriously though, I pillage the door lock rods from the inside of doors on imports. They work great for fabbing linkage, and also lockout tools.
     
  8. kentucky
    Joined: Jun 12, 2004
    Posts: 1,006

    kentucky
    Member

    Gas pedal and cable or linkage. Because sometimes you just have to make something fit.:eek:
     
  9. Tha Driver
    Joined: May 11, 2005
    Posts: 903

    Tha Driver
    BANNED
    from S.E. USA

    I always get ANY kind of brackets. Light sockets & bulbs, cables, & linkages of all kinds too. Pullys. Speed clips. Any self-threading bolts (the larger-than-sheetmetal-screw type). Electric fuel pumps. Tilt steering columns. Fuse boxes. Day/night mirrors. Bolts that have unique sleeves built in (for hinguing things). Emergency brake levers (hand type).
    That's all I can think of off-hand.
    ~ Paul
    aka "Tha Driver"

    Headline: APATHY RUNS RAMPANT - Nobody cares.
     
  10. I worked @ Bleeds shop tearing a small block out of a 80's chevy van for a sedan project he was working on and got my self a gas pedal and gas filler (didn't blow anything up) neck for the H-bomb. There's tons of reusable **** on cars link the universal steering joints on newer cars, seatbelts and seat frames, wiring plugs, door panel clips.....
     
  11. i always steal all the fuses and light bulbs. if it has powerbrakes i take the booster and master cylinder, steering column if it has tilt and yes, the lug nuts.
     
  12. fordcragar
    Joined: Dec 28, 2005
    Posts: 3,198

    fordcragar
    Member
    from Yakima WA.

    Seems like I always grab the wiring harness from under the hood and most of the dash wiring. This give me all of the plugs for the engine, fuse block and all of the ***orted electrical stuff.
     
  13. Comet
    Joined: Dec 1, 2004
    Posts: 2,571

    Comet
    Member

    Old Ford 5 on 5.5 steelies, any widths and sizes.
     
  14. ohiotj
    Joined: Mar 19, 2005
    Posts: 115

    ohiotj
    Member
    from SW Ohio

    Hinges and door latches. They don't take up much space, and you never know when you have a project the latches will look/work just right on.
     
  15. Dirty2
    Joined: Jun 13, 2004
    Posts: 8,902

    Dirty2
    Member

    Pulleys, brackets, fuses, loose change, and screws !!
     
  16. RodLand
    Joined: Dec 19, 2005
    Posts: 369

    RodLand
    Member

    Anything that ain't tied down and will fit into your pocket!;)
     
  17. mopar steve
    Joined: Jan 21, 2006
    Posts: 34

    mopar steve
    Member
    from s.w.va

    I go mostly for electric stuff fuse bocks relays wiring plugs all the light bulbs and sockets ect.dash knobs and switches door handles and if theres any lock with a key in it door trunk or ign. :cool: its mine:D :D
     
  18. plmczy
    Joined: Aug 3, 2001
    Posts: 2,408

    plmczy
    Member

    The bolts they use to bolt down seatbelts with. Interior screws, door panel clips,etc. later shawn
     
  19. Ayers Garage
    Joined: Nov 28, 2002
    Posts: 1,387

    Ayers Garage
    Member

    great thread.... ttt
     
  20. I was just about to say seat belt bolts and the sleeves around em! :)

    I'm liking electrical stuff too...remote boot solenoids, central locking actuators...good for no-door-handle applications :)
     
  21. happy hoppy
    Joined: Apr 23, 2001
    Posts: 2,327

    happy hoppy
    Member

    Iam going to the junk yard !

    thanks eveyone.
     
  22. 57JoeFoMoPar
    Joined: Sep 14, 2004
    Posts: 6,500

    57JoeFoMoPar
    Member

    I always pillage those cool cast iron intake hold downs from Y blocks. They make cool looking washers for other uses
     
  23. AssGasket
    Joined: Apr 19, 2002
    Posts: 402

    AssGasket
    Member

  24. CadillacKid
    Joined: Oct 15, 2002
    Posts: 1,507

    CadillacKid
    Member

    Consoles....bucket seats....third row mini van seats can usually be had for a song, and they are a great fit for Model A coupes.....:)

    Hood prop rods...good for holding that early Ford deck lid open...hood hinges off of late model **** can usually be used for something better...
     
  25. Tito
    Joined: Feb 21, 2004
    Posts: 450

    Tito
    Member
    from Sacramento

    The nickelbag of ****ty weed that I found tucked under the ashtray in a '72 Chevy Nova.


    Actually, that is NOT what to pirate from ANYTHING. (I think it was there since 1972)

    "A little harsh"

    Erron
     
  26. Tudor
    Joined: Aug 20, 2003
    Posts: 6,911

    Tudor
    Member
    from GA

    I like the intake bolts out of chevy motore - the 4.3 6 and the SBC, 3/8 x 16 good length for fabbing stuff, easy to get, usually well preserved with oil. Old cigarrete lighters and bezels are cool too. Power steering brakets are handy too.
     
  27. Older good clean battery trays or boxes. SBC starter bolts. Brake line hose copper washers. Washers, nuts and bolts from 9" Ford rear end pumpkins. Emergency brake parts and related brake hardware. Valve cover hold down parts. SBC water pump bolts. Stainless steel head covered bumper bolts.

    But usually, I just keep the whole damn car :) .

    Then I use the inside as dry storage container for all the stuff I pick up that's needs shelter.
     
  28. lik2writ
    Joined: Feb 12, 2004
    Posts: 434

    lik2writ
    Member
    from NY

    good post; vintage sheet metal: trunk lids, doors, hoods, and ***ociated hardware. A lot of that stuff is usually in pretty good shape from basket cases on their way out to the salvage yard. Good sources are Town garages for the wrecks they still have tucked in the back; and the local firehouses when they use wrecks for training. When I find one that will let you do it, it's always been for free.
     
  29. Flatdog
    Joined: Jan 31, 2003
    Posts: 1,285

    Flatdog
    Member Emeritus

    The wing nut that holds air cleaner on.
     
  30. DKcoupe
    Joined: Dec 17, 2005
    Posts: 327

    DKcoupe
    Member

    I always grab wiring pieces cause I rewire lots of cars. GM vans have a 7 wire connector near the steering column that I can get lugs for. They're handy for pre-wiring dashboards. I get the dimmer switch grommets off the carpets for my upholsterer buddy. He puts them into trunk panels for finger pulls as well as using them for dimmer switches. GM trucks with SBC from the 70s / 80s have a 45 degree adaptor for the oil pressure sender which works well for aftermarket senders to clear the intake and/or firewall. Van's usually have a 90 degree one which could come in handy sometimes. It looks a hell of a lot better than piling 3 different br*** fittings together which I've seen many times.
     

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