You think hot rod parts are expensive?

anyone ever have to price aviation parts...now that is sticker shock.

 

Haha dude i would of ordered the part from the dealer, made one like you did, and then returned the part for the $1200 or stole it and ebayed it for $600!!.. and there my friend.. is your bonus!!

-Anthony

 

I know a guy that just paid the dealer $400 for an a/c switch.

 

Cadillac STS has them under the back seat. Can't imagine the damage if that thing ever exploded. Talk about a hot Ass!

 

That's because NEW cars are designed to fall apart after 4-7 years, causing the owners to buy a NEWER car.

In the early years (pre 70's) cars WEREN'T designed with that in mind.

Look at all the shit rockets out there that prove this point.... Cavaliers, Neons, etc.

 

Well, here's the point I always like to make: When, not if, America gets into a war with an industrialised country (Russia, China, Japan?) we will be screwed without any heavy industry to convert to war production. Lately we have been at war with 2nd or 3rd world countries, but the time will come when we need to defend ourselves against the people who have taken our manufacturing capacity away. Will we be able to order tanks, bombs, cannons, battle rifles and ships from India or Korea? Will Korea look at their northern border and say they are American allies? Will the war material be of the quality of Harbor Freight crap? If buying Honda or Toyota keeps some heavy industry alive on these shores is what it takes, don't we owe or kids and grandkids that? Bet the Chinese look at us and figure that if they wait a little longer, they will beat our asses and take us like low hanging fruit?

Is isolation REALLY a bad thing? Will hot rodders and restorers have to resurect stuff from military museums to save our asses?

All this thinking by me started when I found that I can't buy a pair of American made Levis. Then I found that I can't fine ANY blue jeans made here. And my country's standard military sidearm is a Barretta. Listen, we can build the best guitars in the world here. We aren't poor workers. We are not idiots. The people who have made these bad decisions are not the union grunts, they are the corporate elites. Who own the radio stations that hire political comentators who have brainwashed some of us into blaming the unions for the prices we pay. We CAN build cars and trucks as good as the Germans, we just don't do it. But we CAN. And if we don't figure this out we will be the generation that sold our country out and BETRAYED the generation that gave us the GI Bill, hot rods, drag and dry lakes racing and fought and died for our most basic freedoms.

Off my soap box. But, I think the salvation of America is the hot rodders. We respect the past and know how to fix things. We just need to roll up our sleeves and get after doing it.

OK, really off the soap box.

Whew…

 

Freakin -A Chilli... Right on. Down with China...On my P.T.Looser the fog light switch incorporated in the turn signal switch went bad, I will not even attempt to ask Dodge about a repair. I pulled the fuse, and I will rewire the bastard fog light circuit with a toggle switch under the dash
Tex

 

Chili- interesting point, but I disagree. It's all "what if"...

We CAN'T build cars like the germans. We never have been able to, and we likely never will. That's why we are in Europe asking for help designing cars. (The Ford 500 is an example. What, you thought Ford actyally designed that OBVIOUS AUDI rip off?)

When it comes to manufacturing of precision engineering, they )being Europeans) have ALWAYS had the upper hand for some reason. Look at watches, cars, clocks, etc.

We also lack the ability to put aside our cocky, bullshit, holier than though, "American!" attitudes long enough to really work together to do anything real positive in the world, or to really make any preogression. Japanese economic standards and workplace environments are the way they are, with the high production and quality that they yield, because the workers worry more about the quality of their products than how much their paycheck is, or when they will "finally get to retire".

Being someone who HAS travelled to many parts of the world I will say, without hesitation... Americans are cocky, eletists, self serving, lazy bastards in the grand scale of things.

This idea that America is OBVIOUSLY #1 is the real brainwashing. Why? BECAUSE IT'S NOT ALWAYS TRUE! Are we #1 in pharmeceutical progress for disease control? Nope, Europe. #1 for automobile performance? Well, I think you've gone and covered that.

But hey! At the end of the day we can say we're the best at breaking all the international laws that WE helped put into place to get what we want... and that a LOT of our citizens are either too lazy, or just don't care, to call that a fact and make a difference.

 

PS: You need to study your history... there hasn't been a war for quite awhile that we were involved in because we needed to guard "out basic American freedoms".... much less a recent or current war.

I'm not saying that I don't support troops, because I DO. I'm just as much a troop supporter as anyone else, but that's because they're just doing their job, despite that it's a dirty job with dirty purposes.

I think America is a great country, filled with great people of different backgrounds and skill bases, and if we would band together and stop listening to what Uncle Sam says, we could do a lot of good. Sadly, most of us would rather pretend things are okay and drink our $5.00 cappucinos on the way to work in our fancy new cars... as long as the problems don't affect us on a day to day basis right in front of our faces.

It's like people who bitch about India taking our jobs. GIVE ME A BREAK! If YOU were Indian and someone came and offered you a job, you'd take it. AND MORE POWER TO THEM!

Want to be angry? Try being angry and the neo-cons who are running things and shipping the jobs over there.

 

One of the biggest problems our country has fallen into, is the lack of self pride and being conciencious of the jobs you are performing. The auto industry has moved to a very bad all time low in credability with a quality product. People are working just to get what they can get for a paycheck. The actual TQM, total quality manufacturing concept, has gone to the dogs. The foriegn auto makers still take pride in their work and actually are dismissed for not getting with the program.
In Americas' union based organizations, it takes more then a year of write ups and pictures and actual personal witnessing of blatend disregard to how things should be done. I know for a fact that one out of five American workers are total shit birds and could really give a damn about the quality of their workmanship. These are the frigen pigs who have braught down the quality and trust with in the ranks of the workers. I see it everyday at my work, we have several who come to work just for the money, they have been removed from real critical functions, but non the less, are still collecting a paycheck even though they are pieces of shit and do everything possible to disrupt the organization. They are protected by the union. It takes an act of congress to get someone removed because of their lack of self discipline and disregard to other peoples safety with their crappy work ethics. This is a behind the scene for instance of what our nation has become. It really gives all them foriegnors something to work towards, our hard earned dollars due to lack of caring.

Maximo

 

Why is it that people expect to get their car diagnosed for free (old or new, doesn't matter)???.

I don't expect to walk out of the doctors office for free after he daignoses my sinus infection and writes me a prescription.

When a "check engine" light comes on on my nearly new car, I take it to Auto Zone where they hook up the computer for FREE and give me a diagnostic print-out. I buy the parts from them, if any are needed and if I can't fix it myself, I take it to a local shop (not a dealer), show then the print-out and they fix it without gouging me for another hook-up to the computer.

 

Mr Mpls/cafe/racer, I'll respectfully disagree that we in America can't build the standard of the world in cars. I will, however, agree that we DON'T. I won't blame unions for that. I fact I won't waste a lot of time on blaming anyone or anything. I will state that we are fools to lose our heavy industry. And if you think I am a mindless America Firster, you misread me. I have 4 grandkids, which makes me very concerned about their future. I don't believe this country has been in a justified war since WWII, but that's for another thread. But I think that if attacked in 20 years, if policy doesn't change we will lose that war. Because we won't be able to make equipment.

Actually, I have drifted far off the "Parts are expensive" topic here. Although, it does come down to workmanship of said parts.

PS, I don't hate the Indians for taking the jobs. I do hate the race to the bottom we are engaged in. I believe that in one or two generations wages will be pretty even through out the world. A good thing? Time will tell.

 

Too often poorly educated people do not understand plain simple CORRECT English.
The word 'you' may be singular or plural.
In this case 'you' (singular) represent the business.

It is correct to use the word 'you' to mean the business you represent as an employee.

 

Huntz Hall would have said "I bought the car offa youse guys".

 

I regress, as I may have misread into what you meant in your previous statement.

And I DO agree... Americans could be doing much more, much better... but we don't.

 

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on"></st1lace></st1:State>
Ref: Posts about foreign car manufacturers in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">U.S.A.</st1lace></st1:country-region> employing American workers&#8230; Next time you see a commercial showing their assembly lines, (Which isn&#8217;t that often anymore) Check out how many workers you can find between the robotic arms. All the half dozen workers are doing, is maybe oiling the arms. If THAT&#8217;S even needed.<o></o>
The big three are no exception. And bad design, lousy performance doesn&#8217;t help either. The $26,000.00, 17 M.P.G. 4 Cyl, P.T. Looser had the $600.00 P.C.M, go out, ( as did the one on the Dodge Quad Cab) the front rotors bent, $400.00 (no chirping sound warning for low brake pads) brakes still pulsate , Outside Temp gauge, and the used once moon roof stopped working, years ago, and now after a rain a huge wet spot in the headliner on the passenger side above the dash.. three recalls and paying the shop to change the plugs. ( they hid them well),<o></o>
I will run the 49 Ford . I changed plugs in it yesterday in like &#189; hour Got two thermostats and the plugs (in stock) at N.A.P.A. for $35.00. and a headlight for $5.50&#8230;.No&#8230;.. Old car parts are not expensive.<o></o>

 

I seen those at Cruise nights,we call em flamer throwers down here... next ticket will be fought in the courts ,Citing a desire .."to protect the environment with my REGENERATOR..your Honour."

 

I made the machine that tests that injector in the catalytic converter.

International Right?

The injectors for the motor are pricey too. A set of CAT injectors is like 5500 bones or more!

 

Oh Man! there's a lot of soul searching going on here. And I thank you for it. Many of you have identified many of Americas failings in it's manufacturing industries, and some of you have touched on your culture and politics. You are all correct.
In 1959 President Krueschov from the USSR visited the USA, vice president Nixon showed him around New York. Standing on the steps of Macy's department store, Nixon asked Krueschov (in a self serving smirking way) what Krueschov thought of America. Krueschov replied, "you are digging your own graves, we will merely bury you."
You take too much, you cajole and bully your way around the world.
Your country (the greastest empire the world has ever known, has saved the democratic ideals of the western nations twice). This has cost you dearly, but you have extracted your price from us, time and time again. You have become to the rest of the the world a tyrant.
The first nation state to challenge you in modern times was tiny, insignificant Cuba, 80 miles from your shore and a million miles from your care. They were tired and ashamed of American corruption on their shores, and in the spirit of the times they did something about it. You treat Mexico with contempt and you laugh at Canada.
When you treat your closest neighbours that way we can only surmise you are delinquent. If I treated my neighbours that way I would be ostracised, and rightly so.
Chilli Phil, don't worry about armed conflict. When your foes are ready for you they will call in their loans, you are living on other peoples money and oil, and when they choose they will turn off the tap. Victory, without a shot in anger. The world has changed since WW2 and Korea, without a viable economic system you cannot wage war. Imagine, the USA shaping up to China (as you are shaping up to Iran and currently Iraq). Your President sadly informs the Chinese Premier that unless he agrees to the latest demands on the table, there will be no option but armed conflict. And by-the-way could he have the phone number of the Chairman of the Chinese Central Bank, we need another 90 day loan.
When you are out-of-control and digging a hole STOP!

 

I've read that three times and I'm still not sure what that has to do with hot rods, or expensive parts for any sort of cars. But it is tempting to dig on this guy for being from what was once a penal colony.

 

3x, I'm impressed. O.K. sorry for the Industrial, Military, Political rant. Some HAMBERS touched on sensitive topics regarding the way of life we cherish. Everything is related to everything else, the USA is wealthy so why wouldn't you pay thru the nose for spare parts, many of your countrymen and mine have forgotten how to make do or adapt, if you are confronted with a problem, don't think about it, just throw money at it. You have become soft, the frontier men are long gone, the money men rule now, and they constantly remind us of that fact by making us pay, and, pay again.
BTW the reason Australia became a Penal Colony is because some upstart colonials in America refused to unload their latest consignment of English prisoners, claiming they already had enough.
Now you see, this is America at the beginning of the worlds upset with America. Americas problems are not dealt with in America, they are fobbed off to the rest of the world, ..... relax.... I'm not being entirley serious.
BTW do you know why Americans and Europeans drive on the wrong side of the road?

 

Was following this thread..Is it dead?
Tex

 

I think it got derailed to the point where everyone lost interest

 

i work as a Auto tech. AKA a wrench. i my self am a GM guy. i have a 87 S10 with a 2.5l the GF has a 95 accord. ALL CARS BRAKE DOWN. were are a electrical shop. we check starters, alt's and batteries free. any thing eles you pay. shop rate is 72.50 $ an hour. new cars cost. old cars cost. for all those that say this is good thats bad. i'm not at the dealer. i see them ALL. you know i like working on the big 3's cars. the shop i work at must be better than i thought. we try and use the facory parts. but there not alwas the bet way to go. if we can get a better deal on somthing we do. trust me cheap parts make things a pain in the ass. last week i ad a melling oil pump bad out the box. made psi tell the the relef stuck open. on a FRESH motor i just put in a boat. i got to EAT that. i work on book time. if they say it take me hour to change the starter. if i want to make any good money i better get it done faster. i make mistakes. i have mis diegnosed cars. it happens. your PAYING for a sevice. you want if fixed you want it fixed right. everyone says old cars rock you can work on them. yep you can work on the new ones too. that wrench still swings the same way. finding the problem is that hard part. fixing it is easy. for the most part new cars are nice to work on. the jap cars and american cars any way. any one eles have the joys of fixing lait model VW's, audi's, bmw's. parts are $$$, you have to pull the damn nose off to get to a alt. VR6's kill me. book time is never right. and the maker does not alwas give you the info you need to find problems. but there fun to test drive. guess i'm done for the night.

 

Damn, I though the $150 cable I sold for a dual battery diesel ford was expensive.

 

There is a bolt in the bumper of a late model Rolls Royce that costs 58 dollars. One bolt.

 

How about $2500 for a jaguar ABS modular for a car I drive 5 months a year in perfect weather only.
I am so happy that I am building a car I can fix myself. I don't have to be a IT nerd to get into the car's electronics. Even I can install an ez wire kit. The big block 455 Olds seems to be pretty east to service considering that the car will not have a hood or fenders so I guess I will have to find another place to hide the battery. Hey, how about in the trunk where I can actually get ito it to perform routine service?

That would be too easy.
BC