Technical I believe we are past the ....Peak. buy now if you can

We have had it pretty good for a while with parts availability. I believe those days are passing us by.

I had a conversation with my brother today. We talked a little about this. One thing we touched on was gas tanks and how some folks get stubborn and do not replace them. I don't understand why someone will build a car or modify it and invest a large pile of cash in carburetors, fuel pumps, intakes and linkage and still run a rotten gas tank. Why? Most of the time a replacement reproduction tank is available.
Shaking it for 15 minutes with a handful of gravel, is not going to do it.
Right now, you can find a repro tank for just about all the "popular" models. I believe those days are coming to an end.
So, if you need a specialized part for your car, if it's available, get it now.

It's not just gas tanks it's replacement parts in general.
Every year fewer and fewer parts are available. I have noticed that the Rock Auto listings keep getting smaller as the years go by.
More and more parts are being consolidated or made "universal", meaning...they are generic parts that fit many models. What this really means is instead fitting many models, they do not fit anything. You see this with stuff like brake hoses.

New poor-quality parts....
This has been a problem for years. A good example is condensers. Another really unfortunate example is flat tappet cams and lifters.
The bottom line...if you need it, you better get it as soon as you can.

 

I disagree. If you want good parts. They can be found. If you call up 1-800-build-my-car-for-me you are dealing with cheap mass production parts that don't meet the quality standards of the original design. This is because bean counters who don't know a damn thing about engineering want everything as cheap as possible.

This is why condensers and lifters/cams are failing. Because people are buying cheap junk because its easy. Not because the "Golden days are over". We are perfectly capable of producing parts that last.

 

IMO parts variety/ availability is still good, specifically for a Hot Rod as the inventory of usable OEM old cars/parts have been well picked over and when OEM vintage is found the asking prices are very high, will that market still be there ? I agree with the quality of the foreign parts is in question on way too many items today. I like you/many buy from RockAuto to get OEM replacement parts when available, but many times they come with the American name, with a made in China sticker on the box. I purchased a new repo gas tank from Yogi's, a tanks inc. product I believe, a very nice piece IMO, to replace a boiled/ sealed gas tank that apparently was not done right as I had to clean and redo the entire fuel system PIA. I learned a Very Long time ago to buy the best parts/products available as you tend to get what you pay for. I think it's tough for an american manufacturer of anything to compete with the foreign manufacturing, look what happened to manufacturing in our great country, now down to only 10% of GNP, in 60's when I started in the trades I believe it was around 30%+ of the GNP. There are still good parts for racing engines, but the $$$ involved today is crazy, example, I built a 410 Sprint car engine back in the late 80's, all the best parts including dry sump system for 17/18K, a Gaerte (engine builder)was the best one back then 21K using GM steel 400 blocks, aluminum blocks added 3/4 K back then. Today a top shelf 410 will run you 50+/80K depending on which builder you choose. I think part of what we are seeing is a shrinking market for the shade tree mechanic which is what our hot rod car hobby is all about, I know I also fix my DD's with help of YouTube and the internet for info, even with all the newer electronics, ( way over my head) I'm a good parts changer, just follow along and magic, I seem to get-r dun so far. IMO their's a danger in inventorying of many old car parts, not a good investment as age/time/health, changes it all in a flash (take my word) and in today's market/times selling "stuff" is pretty tough as it is a buyers market along with the attitude of buyers today, Sucks, (Rude, Obnoxious, Cheap Asshats) seems to be the norm, again IMO.

 

I'm not sure what part of the world where it's a buyer 's market. Every swap meet, on ebay, forums ect, I see unreal stupid prices for parts or anything car related, most definitely a sellers market ( for now). Aftermarket parts for the most "popular" classic cars ( Mustangs, Camaros, Chevelles ect) are still readily available but the fitment/ quality sucks and is getting worse. Older than say 1968ish parts ( but not 55-57) are being dropped by repop companies from what I can see.

 

I somewhat agree with the OP, but it is more market conditions that drive it. Very limited demand for a product means a manufacturer and supplier looks for cheaper ways to inventory it, or orders ample quantities when there is enough demand. Points and condensers are a good example- US car makers phased them out in the 70s.

 

From experience, I agree with those that say to buy the best to begin with. The end result will make it worth it. So you can't do it all at once? who can? Do it a little to a time. My experience of buying the bargain basement brand is you'll have to buy it twice. I don't see buying ahead as others have said, Life can change in a flash and then what will happen to all those expensive parts you stocked up on?

 

Well, I have literally thousands of ign parts on hand. Over the next 2-3 months I should have an actual inventory/ID to help get them into the hands of enthusiasts and practitioners. I can't give many examples right away but often I've simply fixed a faulty part on older stuff. Don't worry, we have generations of stuff out there. The angst is the effort needed to find it.

 

friend was in a Napa in Kentucky and was told they cannot search past the year 2000 anymore.

I searched for an offtopic big truck part at a known national website and got basicly the same answer that they don't sell anything older than 1997 now. hard finding parts for 1988 farm trucks the last few months.

also noticed the same thing at rock auto the last year. Seems once it is gone, it is gone for good.

seems the more they push for ev's , the more the older stuff vanishes from being produced and making what is out there to go for stupid money.

Might be plenty of old stuff still out there, just isn't as easy to find anymore.

 

I don't believe we're reaching a point where replacement parts will be unavailable. But I do think we're getting to a point where prices will result in more guys trying to save an old tank, or other parts instead of buying very expensive replacements. Everything seems to be going up extremely fast, and parts I bought for my build a couple years ago at fair prices are now sometimes twice as much.

 

yes, I see prices going up fast too. I sold a couple of items after changing plans or brought extras of and got more than what I paid for them just a few years ago.

 

My friend owns the Napa store in town, and I have run it on Sundays for him for 10 years. It gets me fun money, parts at 10% over cost and access to the machine shop anytime I want. A few years ago, Napa changed their online catalog system. If you know the system, you can research older parts. We still have a library of paper catalos dating back to the 40's that use to be useful looking up original part numbers and cross them over with the old system, but not anymore. Besides most younger parts guys are told not to bother. And even if I find a part number and a price, I have no source. Why can't I get you a water pump for your 400 ci Pontiac or a starter for your International Scout.? Because there are no rebuildable cores! And unlike a small block Chevy or ford that manufactures have tooled up to cast and build new, there is not enough demand for other models. I had a restoration and hot rod shop for years. I would spend countless hours sourcing parts for projects, and I can tell you firsthand that a lot of sources that were available 10 to 15 years ago are no longer there. and a lot of the places that are, have been bought up by investment groups and their products outsourced to the cheapest bidders. You all scream about cost and that you think if you wait, they will go down. Well simple economics says if your product is not selling due to whatever reason, it's time to close up shop. And that is what in my mind, was what the Op was getting at. Get what you need while companies are still willing to make it. Heck getting parts for someone's 10-year-old daily driver can be a pain. Larry

 

To add more to my post- heavy manufacturing is messy, and costly. A lot of manufacturers moved operations to other countries as the labor was cheap, and the environmental laws lax. That outweighed the shipping costs. As labor costs rose, laws tightened, and shipping costs doubled, a lot of parts simply ceased being made as the demand had also declined. Old car salvage yards closing to crush everything and sell the land. While some niche companies have sprung up for the most popular cars, as demand wanes, these will also merge, cease, or change. All business decisions...

 

I think I will get my car out and go for a ride........................

 

Improvise, Adapt and Overcome.

Support your local machine shops. Save your old worn out cores. Incorporate sustainability and think outside the box. WE aren’t going away any time soon

 

“Cheap asshats” that’s what I hate about flippers. They show up in your driveway with empty hands, bullshit you , think you owe them and never having a thought about being fair. It’s all about them.
I have old tin and parts in great shape and I understand flippers want to make money , and that’s okay but your leaving the same way you showed up if you come with the above attitude.

 

That’s one reason I keep all my old paper parts catalogs!






Bones

 

I remember reading how guys used to cast and machine their own parts. Imagine making your own heads.
The 1-800 days may be slowing down for some things. I guess we’ll have to get more traditional.

 

After reading this thread this morning, I went to rockauto.com and looked up a few mechanical parts I'll be needing sooner or later if I finish some of my projects. These are drivetrain parts, 60s, 70s stuff.
A few listings said "last one".
Not what I wanted to see. Time to buy in advance, like the OP suggested.
Good advice on this thread.

 

as long as there's a China, Taiwan, Vietnam (ugh!), some Mexico, etc.etc. there will be knockoffs as long as there's any demand at all. And, don't forget the latest "gangsta" must have---3D printers that can duplicate anything--i'm hoping for a brain someday.

 

In my opinion, parts for the most popular/desirable vehicles will be available/made for a long time yet. It's the less popular/desirable ones that is already starting to be a problem. For example, 32-34 Ford radiators will most likely be available for a long time, 35 Ford radiators not so much. I put off getting a Walker radiator with condensor for my 35 until I was a little further along with the build, now they are out of business. Hopefully Johnson's will start making them but I'm afraid there may not be enough demand.

 

I just read an article where I guy in Africa built a functional car from crap he pulled out of a garbage dump.
Those that want to build, will build

 

I agree it looks to me that even reproduction 32 & 40 ford parts are not available maybe supply chain problems maybe never to return not sure. went to the Dollar General to buy a couple cans of spray paint not a can of any color on the shelf hope thing get better

 

At work we have found the catalogs and web sites still show the parts. But if you try to order them they are out of stock with no date in sight, or have been discontinued.

 

Lol. I get a kick out of watching u tube videos from south America and the middle east. give then and antique lathe, a torch and a Big Fucking Hammer and they can build anything, now a days here people call themselves machinist and could not bore out a bushing without a cnc program! lol Larry

 

I'm a little worried about the continued availability of some of the new, reproduction/replacement parts I might need in the future, but I'm much, much more concerned about how all of the local junkyards in my area seem to be going away. We lost (or are in the process of losing) 5 good ones near me in Wisconsin just this year. Some I had the chance to really work over and buy up as much as I could, some not.

I feel like that's the stuff we should be getting before it's all gone.

 

I just logged onto Napaonline and the drop down menu for vehicle year went to 1886! I recently bought a water pump for my 1963 Pontiac Catalina wagon with a 389 and they had it in stock. They did not however, want the core.....

 

Funny timing. I just bought a new gas tank for my ‘47 Chevy. I wish I could buy a new front fender for it, but nobody is making those anymore. I’m going to have to get to work and start improving my metal bumping and bodywork skills…..

 

That much is certain, and at the very essence of hot rodding.
I am fortunate enough to have some machine tools in my garage and the skills to use 'em. MY OT drag racer has quite a few "Mike Made" parts and systems on it. Also some existing parts that were extensively modified to suit my needs. Sometimes because what I want is not made, or too much money for me, or simply because I can. My Ol' Furd F100 has some "Mike Made" parts on it too.
But man! The price of raw materials is even making that more difficult.
Maybe someday, demand for one-off specialty stuff will be such that I can hang out a shingle and do stuff for others. Not there yet. I'm too old and don't need the money so bad that I'd work for nickels and dimes, which is what a lot of folks expect.

 

Fortunately for me I have a small block 350 and a 350 trans in my Chevy. Parts are common as water. And at my age I'll need a casket before I will have to worry about parts.