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-SS454-

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Sorry for the rant, but I am losing my mind with everything I buy just happens to have some fault or problem with it. I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on "good quality" parts and for whatever reason, there is almost always an issue. People usually don't believe me until I run through the list of stuff that goes wrong. The issues can be in the form of the wrong part showing up, a defect in the part, a failure or incorrect performance of a part, the part not fitting, or creates a fitment issue with something else, a part not being as promised, damaged in shipping, missed shipped, or the company doesn't produce the part in the time they give. The list goes on.

Today I got news of another failure on a part that I've been trying to get made for 3 years and it completely guts me. This is like the 15th kick in the balls just this year, and just things related to the Chevelle. I am terrified to buy anything or do anything to the car because of such a high probability of something going wrong and another disappointment.

How do you deal with this? aside from having tons and tons of money to waste.
 
#2 ·
-SS454- said:
Sorry for the rant, but I am losing my mind with everything I buy just happens to have some fault or problem with it. I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on "good quality" parts and for whatever reason, there is almost always an issue. People usually don't believe me until I run through the list of stuff that goes wrong. The issues can be in the form of the wrong part showing up, a defect in the part, a failure or incorrect performance of a part, the part not fitting, or creates a fitment issue with something else, a part not being as promised, damaged in shipping, missed shipped, or the company doesn't produce the part in the time they give. The list goes on.

Today I got news of another failure on a part that I've been trying to get made for 3 years and it completely guts me. This is like the 15th kick in the balls just this year, and just things related to the Chevelle. I am terrified to buy anything or do anything to the car because of such a high probability of something going wrong and another disappointment.

How do you deal with this? aside from having tons and tons of money to waste.
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Get disgusted just like you. I don't have money to burn and I have to watch every penny. Step away for a bit, regroup, and then get back at it.
 
#3 ·
Its really affecting the hobby, seems the only good quality stuff is OEM that comes on a new car.
Even dealer replacements Ive "heard" are lesser quality.

Its the same with later model cars also....parts quality. Miss the days of calling Napa and when asking about a part you hear "want a good one or a cheap one". Keep at it, once its done and youre driving youll forget all about it.

Went to great lengths to use USA cast parts on this car even 70s/80s vintage pieces worked over.
Hard to get a straight wheel anymore either.
 
#6 ·
I have not had any problems with Parts for Suspension or Perf or Strange S60 RearEnd /
Wheels / Rads, Efans/Shroud from UMI Perf and JEGs

I have a Great Trans guy with one Rebuild after 13 years of Hard Street/Hwy and Track Time

However the BBC I bought in 2006 needed a Rebuilt in Late 2013 by a well known Local Builder
that was recommended by a Good xracer Mechanic
in 2017 the engine was eating up Rockers & Guide Plates like the Cookie Monster
but my new Pro Racer Mechanic heard something was wrong before the 2013 Rebuild Blewup
saved me the Bottom End and likely the Block
 
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#8 ·
If you are restoring a car to look original, you should almost always hunt down original parts for a proper fit. I would rather buy NOS or used original parts and restore them if need be, just to avoid the frustration. If you are installing aftermarket parts that were never on the car in the first place, you can pretty much expect it to affect the fitment of something else. Unfortunately, that just seems to be the way it goes, no matter how the part is described by the manufacturer in order to sell the part.
 
#9 ·
I was a Toolmaker all my life which is a very close tolerance job which makes you really fussy. Being a Toolmaker gave me a advantage if something didn't fit right or I needed something special I could machine the part in work or make up something I needed. I know how you feel, when I was working on my car I had been away from older cars for awhile. I thought am I losing it because things didn't always go right. I had 3 brand new parts I put into my car that failed in the first 300 miles. It's almost like you have to do the best you can do getting parts to fit or you will drive yourself crazy. Don't be afraid of walking away from it before the wrenches start flying.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
I figured I'd go for a drive and try to relax. Well my truck broke down :/

I want to walk away, and if I do it will probably mean it gets parked into the winter. I wanted to a big project over the winter, but I'm afraid to do it because it'll turn into double the money and nothing will go right. I also am fed up with fighting with the companies who fail to deliver. Am I crazy to expect a product to perform as a company advertises?
 
#11 ·
:cool: The Chinese (nice people, crapy government -- but look who's talkin') are excellent at following the exact letter of the contract specification, however, if they can find a way to cheap out they will. Gone are the days of American workers delivering a high quality product, because we all want to buy the least expensive parts and that means cheap over seas labor.

I buy a specific brand of tennis shoes because they are high quality and fit right and they are USA made. Some time ago I bought a pair of my brand only to find that they were horibad. I found that they were made in some 3rd world sweat shop. I took them back to the store and expressed my displeasure (not that the poor manager could do anything about where they were made). The manager did locate a DECENT pair that were actually made in the USA.

It's been said here before; unless we as consumers demand better quality and stop buying inferior parts the vendors won't change their ways.
 
#12 ·
NickeyChevelle said:
:cool: The Chinese (nice people, crapy government -- but look who's talkin') are excellent at following the exact letter of the contract specification, however, if they can find a way to cheap out they will. Gone are the days of American workers delivering a high quality product, because we all want to buy the least expensive parts and that means cheap over seas labor.

I buy a specific brand of tennis shoes because they are high quality and fit right and they are USA made. Some time ago I bought a pair of my brand only to find that they were horibad. I found that they were made in some 3rd world sweat shop. I took them back to the store and expressed my displeasure (not that the poor manager could do anything about where they were made). The manager did locate a DECENT pair that were actually made in the USA.

It's been said here before; unless we as consumers demand better quality and stop buying inferior parts the vendors won't change their ways.
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It's too late. All too many flippers bought whatever they could and flipped half fast cars all over the place. They don't care, they aren't really hobbyists, just flippers. Hard to find good quality junk these days.
 
#13 ·
LS or LT Swap it’s compatible with today’s oils.
 
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#16 ·
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#17 ·
nashville beth said:
What ? The only thing not compatible with todays oils are flat tappet cams, and they suck anyway.
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Yes, still some people are using them and others are still selling them.
 
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#18 ·
Chinese parts fix my problems.... there cheap... and if theres a problems its easy to blame. lots of these parts have better warranty then most name brand stuff

case in point, I bought a Chinese crank. on my build, most would walk away. after a recent big boost in boost its holding 900-1000hp.

Chinese alternator... 14.5volts all day. I went through 3 from parts source, what a waste of money.

Chinese water pump, worked 10X better than the edlebrock victor, wieand, and stocker junk at the time

Chinese front brake kit, yup saved 100% over a SSBC

Chinese fuel pumps (340lph)

should I keep going to break more hearts. I feel your pain and have had the same results with a lot of parts. Now I spend the least amount possible and my outcomes seem to be so much more rewarding. take it for what it is.

failures:
everything listed above
OPGI console (paper had to be thicker)
Recently a set of Bassett race rims (mis-packaged with wrong bolt pattern)
Mahle main bearing set (they don't take thrust forces)
autometer gauges (way out of range for fuel oil boost gauges, tachometer, shift light,)
aermotive fuel pump(s) (failed after 50hrs)
strange wheel studs
hurst shift boots (pre-ripped)
edlebrock manifold (had to resurface finish for the correct angle)
Griffin Rad (didn't cool worth a shit and full of crap)
CSR starter (every 2 years it would just die)
Moroso springs (sagged out in 3yrs)
power steering pump (blew a seal in the first season of driving)

on and on and on....

oldest parts on my car, a set of AFR 305 as cast heads from 2005. A set of comp cam pro magnum roller rockers from 2005. Strange diff from 2008. modified but stock suspension components
 
#19 ·
hah..bought my block from PAW in the 90s..heads from WCCH (dart), Cam from Isky, Differential done locally USA made axles. Intake was an 80s era piece worked over.

I miss mom and pop businesses period esp auto parts stores. Rather pay a little more and know Im supporting an American family than some overseas corp that has 10 yr olds doing a mans job.

We did it to ourselves though buy going for cheap ea time figuring "1 purchase wont change anything".
 
#20 ·
I am glad to know I am not alone!

I purchased a Neutral Safety Switch, was bad. Replacement is fine. I replaced my turn signal switch due to a loose wire, the Reproduction replacement drove me crazy, tracing why the horn was blowing while turning the wheel. I finally dug through my old parts bin, found a switch and adapter and installed it. Problem fixed, got a credit for the bad part.

Let my car sit in the sun, the sail panel material is now bubbled. WTH is with this junk?!?!
 
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