I'm trying to buy non-reproduction speed equipment. How can i tell if what i buy is from the certain era i'm building around (1960-1965). A lot of stuff i've looked at that is labeled NOS or "vintage" turns out to be from the late 70's. are there any reference sites that i can check out when i want to look up say a weiand intake?.....i just want to make sure that i get stuff that was actually from the era i have in mind. I have a few old catalogues and they help a lot, but i was just wondering if there was a website around. guess i could always try here first..... help me i.d. this manifold weiand 4bbl i.d. 7286 also has "say why and" logo
My suggestion is to buy lots of magazines from the era you want to represent and look at the ads. I also have no preblem helping people if they send me some pics. I have just about all the catalogs from 1967-1975 and have been studying this stuff for 25+ years. I can tell you if the part you have is later 70's, or repo.
If there was some "website" somewhere that gave you all the answers, would it really be any fun? Isn't researching the parts in old mags and catalogs worthwhile? You gotta pay your dues.
I have a 65 1/2 Weiand catalog and according to that part no. 7286 is a flathead for a Studebaker Champion 6 cylinder, Ratio 8:1 It was Model No. WSH 805 and cost $48. Didn't think much of it when I got this catalog back in 66 but I have been able to answer a few questions on here with it. Maybe you better check the part number again and let me know. There were no single four manifolds listed for V-8's in the catalog but I got a single four for a 318 poly from Phil in 66 and its not listed in the catalog as it was brand new at the time. I will check its number when I go over the shed. swifty
Something else to keep in mind. Many of those 'reproductions' have never stopped being in production. Obviously stuff for Studebakers, Nash's, etc will no longer be available, but most Chevy and Ford stuff is still being made. I understand what you are looking for, but most stuff from the aftermarket was never date coded. Many reproductions are using original tooling. Good luck with your project.
Swifster is right... I've personally run into old warehouse items that were at least 20 years old but the part #, etc was all the same as a "new" part sitting on the shelf right next to it. Your best bet to really make your stuff stick out with "period correct" stuff is to find obsolete brands or "fad" stuff that was around back then. Fad type trinkets, etc always end up with millions left over in some guys warehouse just waiting to be scouped up. If anyone ever decides in 50 years to build a "period correct" 1999 Honda Civic I know where to find plenty of "tire flys" for them! hahahaha. Seriously though... unless its an obsolete part, or obsolete brand its gonna be hard to date. Sometimes you can ask for the newest copywrite/patent date on the packaging if its still available. Keep in mind most popular stuff that was bought back then was sold and has been resold and sold again at swap meets, etc. The market didn't dictate as much warehouseing, etc. Parts were ordered as they were sold and installed. Now places like S***mit and Jegs warehoue millions in parts and as trends come/go and time goes by stuff gets pushed to the back of the shelf, etc. Someone mentioned Honest Charlies... I'd start there. These guys have a treasure trove of REAL NOS parts. They have stuff that still has tags, etc on it from the 40's & 50's.. just gotta call and make buddies with someone and get them to dig for you.
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