How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

[Tim S.]

I am probably more focused on something like interior parts. I have been accumulating hard parts for my 63 but was curious what poor experiences some of you have had when buying parts too far in advance. I suppose I am just looking to get some advice before I need it, not after.

Thanks,

Tim

[Dan D.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

I bought a lot of aftermarket parts for my 57 before I needed them. Big mistake. A good portion of the stuff is no good and cannot be returned because of the time lapse. Also I missed some sales that way and paid too much. Bottom line - don't buy until needed, and inspect/test everything when received. -Dan-

[Gene M.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

Tim,
It depends on the type of part. Chassis, engine parts such as bearings, seals, U joints, rotors, brake pads or shoes, lifters, camshaft, rocker arms, push rods, pump, etc. As many of these parts are non issues on fit and quality (USA made).

The "Corvette Specific" stuff is another issue. A lot of the repop stuff is junk! But there is quality stuff too. Buy in advance ONLY the parts ya know are good from past experience. Can't say if ya have no past experience. Be prepared to "make fit" the stuff that don't. Most guys in this hobby expect the parts to just bolt on. Experience is the best teacher, or contact your buddies who have delt with the parts and supplier prior and before you make that purchase.

Same old statement holds true "buyer beware".............

[Bruce B.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

Whatever you do, when you put your newly purchased parts away make a note where they are.
How many of us have bought parts more then once because we could not find them after putting them away in a "safe" place?

[Mike E.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

Rare dated part that I need then I grab them when I can.

On new stock parts I try to buy only a few weeks ahead from when I need the items so I don't have a bunch of parts sitting around. The problem is you can get quantity discounts from many suppliers and shipping can get expensive so small light parts I try to group together so that rule doesn't always apply.

To save a little on freight, I've noticed many of the big box Corvette stores, Zip, CC & Ecklers will have specials around holidays where you get free shipping or discounts on larger purchases. I try to take advantage of those. Ecklers just had Presidents Day Sale that was 20% off when you spend $800 so I picked up several things I needed. About half of that was on tools for rear T/A that I may only use once, but I love the satifaction of doing it myself.

I agree with the other posters. The quality of repop parts can leave a lot to be desired.

As Bruce says put them is a safe place, I'm lucky enough to have a spare room that's currently dedicated to parts.

Mike

[Joe L.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

I am probably more focused on something like interior parts. I have been accumulating hard parts for my 63 but was curious what poor experiences some of you have had when buying parts too far in advance. I suppose I am just looking to get some advice before I need it, not after.

Thanks,

Tim

Tim-----

It's very simple:

For NOS or good used original parts, buy them when you find them, especially if you find them at a price you can afford. You may not get another chance before you need them;

For reproduction parts, buy them just before you need them; you can generally (see below caveat) always get these and you may need to return them.

A caveat: sometimes reproduction parts get discontinued, too, and sometimes they may be on a long term back-order so you can get "bit" by waiting too long. This sort of thing is fairly rare, though.

[Wayne W.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

I have had many customers buy interior and top parts long before needed and pay the price twice. I have had three soft tops in the last year that were as much as 15-20 years old. The are rotten. Seat covers split in the seams when installed, etc. So hard parts, OK, but soft parts, only when needed.

[Timothy B.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

Tim-----

It's very simple:

For NOS or good used original parts, buy them when you find them, especially if you find them at a price you can afford. You may not get another chance before you need them;

For reproduction parts, buy them just before you need them; you can generally (see below caveat) always get these and you may need to return them.

A caveat: sometimes reproduction parts get discontinued, too, and sometimes they may be on a long term back-order so you can get "bit" by waiting too long. This sort of thing is fairly rare, though.

Tim,

NOS GM parts, go for it when you find them but the repro stuff not until you need to buy. Try to restore/reuse as much of that 63 stuff as possible.

[Joe L.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

I have had many customers buy interior and top parts long before needed and pay the price twice. I have had three soft tops in the last year that were as much as 15-20 years old. The are rotten. Seat covers split in the seams when installed, etc. So hard parts, OK, but soft parts, only when needed.

Wayne-----


Yes, I should have mentioned that. I was pretty much just talking about NOS or good used hard parts. Interior trim and other soft parts I would be very reluctant to purchase, at all. Period. Things like soft tops (fabric), seat covers, door panels, or dash panels. I've seen NOS door panels crack like an egg shell when taken out of the GM box.

[Al R.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

Tim, I have experienced all of the above. Parts that were bought that were defective and could not be returned (having a go-round with CC at this time on a fuel pump) due to time lapse, parts that could not be found after time had passed, when I knew I had bought them. I am one of the people that Wayne spoke about with a 20+ year old new top that had dry rotted in the box. NOS or dated parts now and other parts in groups as you need them my recommmendation.

[Cathy S.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

I tear down the project,make a great list and order. Then preform an extremely critical inspection upon receipt checking off my list and returning sub par parts. Very orderly and methodical.

[Calvin M.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

Concur with the 'check thoroughly when received' advice! I failed to do this on a repro fuel filter (from guess who, CC again) a while back. I called them, fully acknowledged that I should have checked upon receipt but explained that the largely unthreaded inlet was a huge safety hazard (the passage in the casting was off center), and asked if they would consider waiving the time requirement. The first representative said yes, we'll exchange it (due to the safety issue and the considerable sums I had spent with them...), but a week later I got call from someone exercising their authority who said no. Really? Okay, fine, I haven't spent a nickle with them since.

[Paul J.]

Re: How soon do you buy your parts for your restoration?

Tim, it's not like you're a professional shop that will order all the parts when they start the project and immediately spend hours hunting for the harder to find parts. They can't afford to have the project sit while they wait for parts to come in.

I follow the process the others have described. Buy the hard to find, dated hard parts when you run across them. The rest can wait until you're close to using them.

I've bought two projects that the previous owners worked on for a while and lost interest. In both cases when I opened the trunk there were reproduction emblems. It was the first thing they bought. It's kind of funny that the first thing they bought was the last thing they'd use. I guess they were envisioning the project being completed.

Paul