Monday, June 19, 2006

Parts for Restoration Projects

At Motorheads Performance we are often asked about parts used for restoring older vehicles of the 1920's through 1970's, since this is our specialty. With advent of the internet, on-line shopping has certainly opened up a world of parts and products for restoring your old beauty.

Sometimes, you can find body and engine parts by visiting local bone yards or scrap dealers. While it can be a hit-or-miss proposition, some real treasures still exist if you are knowledgeable about what to look for. Knowledge of what are reasonable and fair prices is something that time and experience brings. Sellers typically charge what the market will bear, and sometimes hard-to-find parts sell at a premium. If a price sounds too good to be true, make sure that it is really the deal that you think it is.

Aftermarket companies for classic and antique cars are popping up all over the place, offering everything from reproduction parts to modern technologies made to work with older vehicles. Vintage Air is a classic example of an aftermarket product which has found a good niche of supplying superb quality air conditioning systems for all types of classic and antique vehicles...and they've done their homework to ensure that the systems work properly with each particular make and model.

Motorheads' approach to obtaining parts is rather unique. We encourage our customers to go on line and hunt for parts themselves. Many people enjoy this part of restoration more than actually doing the work of installing or fixing. If this is your thing, we'll work with you to make sure you're purchasing the right parts for your particular vehicle, you can make the purchase directly, and we'll do the installation or repair for you. You get total control of your parts budget, you know exactly what you're getting, and you stay involved in the process.

Now, we also realize that sometimes you don't like the hassle of having to look through the multitude of parts that exist. Sometimes there are very minor variations between makes, models or years - and these make a difference in the exact parts which you can use. You'll need to consider whether you are wanting stock parts, manufacturer remakes, or aftermarket products. Motorheads Performance can help you weigh the pros and cons of each, and discuss how these parts will affect your vehicle's performance.

Mistakes such as purchasing parts that don't fit, or aren't correct for your make & model, can be expensive. You may purchase a set of window cranks for your '41, but depending upon the model you have, the parts are different and the ones you buy may not fit your vehicle. Is the cam you are considering made for a 2 bolt main. Will you need to swap out your rear end or perform other modifications if you change out? Purchasing a performance part just because it's the trendy thing to do can often result in very expensive modifications elsewhere, or creating havoc in your engine's performance elsewhere. For instance, purchasing that trendy new intake manifold may boost hp bragging rights, but it isn't doing your performance any good unless you're also paying attention to your exhaust (an all-too-often made mistake). It pays to do your homework thoroughly and compare all your options before making a purchase. Saving a buck is good, but sometimes it can end up costing you more in the long-run.

Got a question or a problem you'd like help solving? Let Motorheads Performance help you. Call us anytime at 830-424-3883 or e-mail andrea@motorheadsperformance.com. Guy and I are always available for your calls. Our shop is open Wednesday through Sunday from 8am to 6pm because we realize you need hours convenient for YOU. We're here to help you realize your dreams.