Anyone aggravated by repro parts that don't quite fit?

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TylerW

TylerW

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I am. A lot of the enjoyment of installing new parts to replace old, unusable pieces has been diluted because of the extra effort needed to make something fit, when it should just drop right in or on.

1. Reproduction '67-69 A-body washer bottle for non-electric washers. It looks nice, made nice, has the awesome Mopar authorized reproduction part sticker on it, but the thing is made about 1/2 inch too short between the mounting holes. Hold the original up to it, yep it's off. Plus, the supplied hardware is cheesy and not like what they used originally.

2. Reproduction pre-74 A-body cardboard glovebox liner. Looks nice, seems well-made other than the cardboard is glossy and the original is not. Went in well until I discovered one hole was either misaligned, or missing totally. Couldn't tell which because it was the last one and I wasn't taking it back out.

3. This one really smoked me. 1965-66 C-body positive battery cable that set me back over $160 clams by the time it got here. For that kind of money it should have fit PERFECTLY, but it didn't. The solenoid connection that uses a fork-type terminal was produced too small and wouldn't slide on without spreading the "forks". Then, the overall cable length is too short and will only barely be able to be retained under the nylon harness straps. There are other examples but suffice to say I almost never have anything that installs smoothly.

This stuff would probably slide past if there weren't original parts extant to compare them to and reveal how off they are. I would be very curious to know where all these things are manufactured....
 
Dont get me started on this! Im in the process of putting my dart together and non-fitting repro parts have set me back months. Here is a short list.
-Dash pad, two holes did not line up. Had to enlarge holes on my freshly powdercoated dash frame.
-Dash vents, big part did not fit and neither did the mounting lugs. More grinding on my dash frame.
-door handle, the stud hole was not drilled center so the gasket overhanging and looked terrible. Also the button rattles around loose.
-Rear valance, did not fit at all and would have needed hours of work to make fit.
-door locks, bezels were not crimped correctly so they would not sit flush enough to get retaining clip on. I had to carefully tap the crimp down with a small hammer and screwdriver.
-disc brake shields, lower ball joint bolt hole misaligned so the plate would not sit flush.
-Washer reservoir, mounting holes not correct spacing. Glad I caught this before painting the car. Welded up original hole and drilled a new one.

This is just off the top of my head, there are many more. I think about 1 out of 10 parts actually fit.
 
This is why I have a mill, lathe, welders and every kind of die grinder, angle grinder, files and the list goes on to fix everything I buy so I can use it.
 
I was looking at door sill trim for an early A today from Classic - the inner ones it appears. $139.95 each. Probably Chinese stamped - decided to not to take a chance and clean up my pretty original, nice trim for the cost of some elbow grease and polish
 
65 Dartman said:
I was looking at door sill trim for an early A today from Classic - the inner ones it appears. $139.95 each. Probably Chinese stamped - decided to not to take a chance and clean up my pretty original, nice trim for the cost of some elbow grease and polish
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I think I bought my door sill plates for my 66 Dart from Laysons. They fit like a glove.
 
Yeah like headers that cost a thousand dollars.
 
Yea, it's a pain in the axx. Like you said, you have the original in hand and when you get the "reproduction", your like "WTF"!
 
Your expectations are too high.

And people wonder why I'm anti-China.
 
Some resto show was doing a GTO elasto-meric front bumper and the parts minion bought it off ebay at a good price. The thing was 3 inches too narrow! Turns out the part was for a fiberglass GTO funnycar shell. :rofl:
$$ Headers (although not repops of anything) should friggin fit without the hammer.
 
I feel the pain...and it's just not car parts. You would think in the aviation business, licensed, FAA approved, reproduction parts (especially) ABS plastic parts for interiors, extruded angles and fittings, would be "dead nuts on!" Nope!
 
The absolute WORST example of repro parts are the repro 69 BarraCuda Grilles.
I would say the company, but they probably would censor it.
Plastic and Chrome outer Bezel were not even close to Factory. Usually one can at least fabricate something to fit, not here.
I seriously dont know how they are allowed to keep marketing this Crap.

'69 Barracuda grill trim

69 cuda grilles.jpg
 
partsmonsta said:
The absolute WORST example of repro parts are the repro 69 BarraCuda Grilles.
I would say the company, but they probably would censor it.
Plastic and Chrome outer Bezel were not even close to Factory. Usually one can at least fabricate something to fit, not here.
I seriously dont know how they are allowed to keep marketing this Crap.

'69 Barracuda grill trim

View attachment 1715290899
Click to expand...
Ouch!
 
This is a good one. Passenger exhaust hanger bracket. Authentic Restoration product by Mopar.
What a joke totally wrong and does not even fit.

fullsizeoutput_2161.jpeg
 
Correct passenger side exhaust hanger bracket.
Original ones on right and mine on the left, that will be available in a couple of weeks

B0F647DD-8A71-4704-B932-7E4424E04101.jpeg


66D63D52-F7D9-405C-A2BB-88370DEB8B38.jpeg
 
MoparMike1974 said:
Dont get me started on this! Im in the process of putting my dart together and non-fitting repro parts have set me back months. Here is a short list.
-Dash pad, two holes did not line up. Had to enlarge holes on my freshly powdercoated dash frame.
-Dash vents, big part did not fit and neither did the mounting lugs. More grinding on my dash frame.
-door handle, the stud hole was not drilled center so the gasket overhanging and looked terrible. Also the button rattles around loose.
-Rear valance, did not fit at all and would have needed hours of work to make fit.
-door locks, bezels were not crimped correctly so they would not sit flush enough to get retaining clip on. I had to carefully tap the crimp down with a small hammer and screwdriver.
-disc brake shields, lower ball joint bolt hole misaligned so the plate would not sit flush.
-Washer reservoir, mounting holes not correct spacing. Glad I caught this before painting the car. Welded up original hole and drilled a new one.

This is just off the top of my head, there are many more. I think about 1 out of 10 parts actually fit.
Click to expand...


sounds like youve been shopping at classic industries
 
I try to restore my cars with "nice" or restored original pieces.I'd much rather have an acceptable original piece than a perfect repop.
My current car has original bumpers, door handles,mirrors,tailight \ headlight bezels, lenses and on and on.These pieces are far from perfect but are at least the correct real original parts.
It makes the project more difficult and a bigger challenge.
Most guys i know buy everything brand new and bolt it on....
 
Any one have personal experience with the repop AMD gen 2 Barracuda bumpers, getting ready to order a set and could use I report!!
 
lkopaska said:
Any one have personal experience with the repop AMD gen 2 Barracuda bumpers, getting ready to order a set and could use I report!!
Click to expand...
AMD works, but the Bumpers are not show quality. There are imperfections. I bought a set for my race Dart.
Send your Cores to Tri City Plating in the midwest and you'll get the best available. Mopar show cars use them.
 
65 Dartman said:
I was looking at door sill trim for an early A today from Classic - the inner ones it appears. $139.95 each. Probably Chinese stamped - decided to not to take a chance and clean up my pretty oriiginal, nice trim for the cost of some elbow grease and polish
Click to expand...

I restored my original sill plates...yes lots of elbow grease.
I finished with red scotchbright and they look nice!A body sill plates were never bright but had a brushed finish.
You should have seen my original battery cable when i started.The terminal had been beaten with hammers gouged with screwdrivers...you name it.Careful time with a propane torch melting and reshaping...filing and coarse sanding and it is just fine.Red scotchbright on the cable insulation made it more than presentable.
 
partsmonsta said:
AMD works, but the Bumpers are not show quality. There are imperfections. I bought a set for my race Dart.
Send your Cores to Tri City Plating in the midwest and you'll get the best available. Mopar show cars use them.
Click to expand...
Got any idea on normal turn around times?
Not building a show car but wanted nice bumpers if possible, need them before mopars in the park.
 
lkopaska said:
Got any idea on normal turn around times?
Not building a show car but wanted nice bumpers if possible, need them before mopars in the park.
Click to expand...
They're pre-made, just order. Or you can order off FeeBay. Many Vendors.
 
bbrroowwnn said:
nothing like NOS
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Maybe. I have seen NOS parts that didn't fit too well. Back in 69, if a Plymouth dealer ordered a fender that fit poorly (or a fender did not fit on the assembly line), it was not usually destroyed. They found their way to dusty shelves somewhere, and 50 years later are sold as NOS. I'm NOT saying NOS parts are not good; I am just saying that an NOS part may not always fit perfectly.
 
What? You guys don't want it to be like Mustang world do you? Build a whole car from a junkyard block and a JC Whitney catalog?
 
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