Looking for old parts
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,270
Likes: 4
From: Celeste Texas
Looking for old parts
I just got a 72 project that is missing a lot of parts. Not sure of what all yet, I'm still learning this one. I went into my local Oreilly and asked for a ball stud to go onto the side of a Quadrajet. Kid behind the counter looked at me like something was hanging out of my nose. Manager, read old guy, said Jegs or Summit. I knew that but I always try to shop local before mail order. Today I stopped at my local wrecking yard and asked if he had a stack of Quadrajets sitting around. He wanted to know what rock I had fallen and hit my head on. I built a 78 and an 82 and only had real problems finding marker lights for the 82. So funny story leads to a serious question. Are there parts for my new 72 that are really going to be difficult to get? Is there anything I should take even in poor condition?
Bill
Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
cc
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
It depends. If you are looking for the "numbers matching" and exact original parts, they will not be easy to find. However, if you are not worried about originality, you shouldn't have any trouble finding replacement parts. Wilcox, Zip, Ecklers and the other vendors will have what you need.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
There are hundreds of Corvette swap meets/car shows, etc. around the country and Corvette Expos that include many parts vendors. May require an effort on your part to attend but the results are worth it. You can find anything!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 10
From: Somerdale NJ
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17-‘18
For the most part you will be able to find the parts you're looking for - even if you want old stock, etc. from swap meets, for sale section on this forum and patiently searching the internet.
I've found quite a few of my parts on the C3 parts for sale section on this forum. If it's something that is crucial to the car running - I will buy new and then keep looking for new old stock as an eventual switch out.
You'll end up buying something you've been looking for and then find it cheaper - don't rush unless it's a crucial part.
