Junk Reproduction Parts!

[Ed S.]

Re: Junk Reproduction Parts!

I pretty much buy from LICS, Doc Rebuild and Corvette Rubber directly anymore.
A few bucks more is worth it if I don't have to deal with crappy repros...

The thing that drives me nuts is that a particular (repro) part from one company is dead on correct in virtually every aspect (and oh by the way, it fits perfectly) but another part from that same company will be "junk" but...... a different vendor carries the "other" and it is correct. It has become a hit and miss ordeal. I constantly have to search this forum for comments relating to the best source for any given part. Sometimes it is one vendor the next time it is another vendor. I find myself ordering parts from 3 different vendors it order to get all the necessary pieces to complete on small project.

[Joe L.]

Re: Junk Reproduction Parts!

I bought C2 and C3 vacuum hose kits from Doc Rebuild a few months ago and they were perfect.

Doc has some really nice parts.

Rich

Rich------

That's exactly what I would expect

[Ed S.]

Re: Junk Reproduction Parts!

I bought C2 and C3 vacuum hose kits from Doc Rebuild a few months ago and they were perfect.

Doc has some really nice parts.

Rich

I have to agree with you, the few things I've purchased from Doc. R were right on - he is my default parts source but.... his inventory is not as extensive as other vendors. If I need something Doc does not stock then it is LIC and Paragon in that order.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Junk Reproduction Parts!

I have griped about this before, but ALL the rubber boots from my shifter, clutch, and all others have cracked and fell apart. My car has not been started since the frame off restoration and inside my shop. My 2nd shifter boot is now a throw away. It took less than a year for some to turn to junk and less than 2 years for the rest.

Dom

[Richard M.]

Re: Junk Reproduction Parts!

Not to get too far off the main vac hose topic, but some relative thoughts.....

I've done four C1, and two C2 body-off restorations in the last 7 years. I've also done several body-on restorations of both C1's and C2's, and partial restorations of other Corvettes. I have spent probably 5 to 10% extra time trying to get reproduction parts to simply fit properly or time spent modifying the part to work properly. On a 1000+ hour restoration, it adds up to much time. Sometimes I throw the part out and have to start over with another after I've modified it to fit and been unsuccessful. Frustrating. Spending a extra hour here or there to make brake lines fit, or off and on to bend repro frame brackets to get bumpers on, or splitting open a brand new engine harness to lengthen a VR ground wire that's too short.......is the way it is.

I have learned this. I now expect to have issues with ALL reproduction parts of some sort. It's the way it is. Do I like it, no, but it has become a common occurrence. If the part fits out of the wrapper, I get pleasantly surprised. Our suppliers want to get it right, but often times THEIR supplier changes the recipe and they don't find out until later. This must be tough for the suppliers and frustrating for them as well.

When I find issues, I try to contact the supplier to give them feedback, but not always do I get positive responses. In one case the supplier just said, "Oh well, we've made 100's of them and that's the way it is, we can't change it". This was a part# label with a typo on it. Then there was a rubber supplier that bent over backwards a few years ago and recalled probably scores of C1 windshield frame glass gaskets, and sent many replacements out no-charge, when we discovered they made them too long.

Most suppliers like the feedback, but some don't. No name calling here, just facts. But, we also have to remember that if we didn't have vendors making reproduction parts, where would we get them? Many restorers, like myself, don't have resources or funds or time to hunt for years for NOS or nice used parts. Tough call.

I get frustrated with things that don't fit, but at least I have a chance to MAKE it fit if it's in my hands.

[Loren L.]

Re: Junk Reproduction Parts!

Richard, Thank You.

[Gene M.]

Re: Junk Reproduction Parts!

My advice is to restore the original part if possible. Shop for a restorable original if you don't have one. It is a club for restored Corvettes not a Reproduction bolt on club. Take any wire harness for example. Almost all the original plastic connectors and terminals are available. Wire is available. Plastic wrap is available. But MOST just take the EASY way out and order a repop. In every case I've observed the wire colors are wrong. Some not even close. Spell it D-E-D-U-C-T-I-O-N. Well it should be. Why some of this repop stuff is given a pass I don't know. Another example is alternator. The bearing s/b Torrington not INA. INA is wrong in fact INA did not even exist in 1965. But it gets a pass. Door panel fit is another pet peeve. Spell it D-E-D-U-C-T-I-O-N. Well it should be.

Much of the repop stuff gets a pass because nobody sends it back they just live with it. Also judging does nothing. So one should not complain unless you are deducting for it or sending it back. Gotta stop complaining among each other and take action.

Two things come to mind that are in most cases not restorable. And that is fabric type parts (carpet, vinyl, soft top, seat covers) and paint (anywhere on car). But everything else can be NOS or sourced from another car. Even some fabric type parts can be sourced from donor cars. Consider replacement (TRW, Seal Power, Napa, Packard 440, Etc) which generally fit and function as original where repop stuff falls short. Yes good original stuff COSTS MORE $$$$, but they fit and function.

[John L.]

Re: Junk Reproduction Parts!

I second Rich Pasqualone, for original nuts, bolts, washers, brackets, etc. Hes helped me so much. He's the man. John