After market parts

[Little Dicey]

This is my second post on this site. So far I think this is a great site and I have learned many things reading the many threads. With that said I am looking for your opinions about aftermarket parts. In particular, how do they fair? Do parts fit as described or are modifications needed? What have been your issues? Is there one brand that sticks out as being a good one? A bad one? Does one have superb customer service over another? Not trying to beat up on anyone, but trying to figure out what is the best bang for my (and anyone else's) hard earned buck.

[hugger6933]

some parts fit great some fit like crud and others have to be worked pretty hard to make decent. All vendors are pretty good they all sell about the same part.
I did have a truck in my shop[body shop owner and I rebuild late model trucks and suv's and restore old trucks and muscle cars]of 32 years. Anyways I had a truck doing a restore/mod LS conversion andthe customer bought two new doors. They would not even fit in the opening. I ended up drilling out the welds on the upper hoop where the windows go and tapping the hoop down like two inches. The door vent that wouldnt fit before fit fine as did the door. I had to do that on both sides but it didnt take too long the hard part like most of what we do is figuring out what is needed

[sick472]

I believe that the smaller vendors that do not carry "everything" and their websites are a bit clunky tend to have the best parts. They select the good stuff and avoid the headache of the not-so-good stuff. The places that "have it all" will, undoubtedly, carry some junk parts so it appears hit and miss with them. Customer service is more personal with the smaller places, whereas customer service with the larger places will graciously send you another junk part for free when you call and complain.

My opinion.

[tdangle]

I don't know if Ive gotten luck or what, but I have bought a front fender and a tailgate. Both seen to be OK, no problems installing and fit is as good as the original which really wasn't that great. I'm not going to try and make the body panels line up and fit like a modern car does. Since they weren't that great when built so they shall remain.

[Little Dicey]

Thanks for the replies, just seeing if the parts are good and if one was (and i'm not) making a show truck how much time (as time is money) does one have to add to the price of the part (build) that one is using that "should" work for what it was to be used for. I know there is cheap junk (new parts) but are there better "good" aftermarket parts than the AKA junkyard OEM parts. So when we all see a very high dollar truck as we see on tv that was rebuilt with non-OEM parts or is it just as good as if it was OEM?
Basically is there a way for the backyard mechanic to be able to build a nice vehicle without all the fancy equipment and budgets people like Dave Kindig, Chip Foose or the Kount readily have available to "remanufacture" the parts we order from reputable places like LMC and Summit.

[Curtb1971]

Welcome from another Colorado boy From my experience it has been hit or miss on aftermarket parts. Most of the repop parts I used on my builds needed to be modified to fit. Sheet metal has been a different story. From what I've tried making fit I would rather spend the time and effort repairing OE steel with aftermarket patch panels.

[Ironhorse]

After restoring my '71 4x4 and a '71 Chevelle in my opinion for the most part ALL after market parts regardless of the intended vehicle are at best a real c**p shoot. I will say I have had good luck using various vendors here on the board that actually BUILD these trucks who sell quality parts and do not just sit in front of a computer screen taking orders and punching a keyboard.

I vigorously hit swap meets, cruise what few salvage yards we have left in our area, craigslist, and at times have found parts at yard/garage sales. I would much rather re-work OEM original GM parts than spend a lot of time with most of the after market stuff sold today. There are some good after market parts being offered but it takes time, effort and net working to find the ones that do fit and function as intended.

I am currently in the process of my last project which is a '57 Chevy 2dr sedan I used to 1/4 mile years ago. I'm almost 70 years young, still playing with cars and trucks and I don't need the frustration from using crappy parts in my builds.

By becoming a dues paying member at $25 a year it WILL be, beyond a doubt, some of the absolute BEST money you will ever spend on your truck.

[Little Dicey]

Just to put in an update. More frustration, more delays and more aggravations. So as I was trying to put on the chrome flexplate cover from Summitt I see it won't fit. Per other comments and reviews on these covers sometimes a modification is necessary. Grrrrr So I modify, modify again, OH MY!! Now I can see the flex plate!! The gears are touching the bottom of the cover before it is even bolted up!!! About 1/2 to 3/4" too short!!!! So I call Summitt, what gives?? "Sorry sir" I am told, "This is the only and right one for your specs" They have no other. While at it I decided to tell them about the dipstick I ordered, the one with the smashed ring on the handle in the unopened sealed package!!! Am I frustrated, no, not me, where"s my beer???
So, now, how to find a cover that fits....................... And, Ironhorse, I agree with you, I am getting too damn old for this crap.

[57larry]

not much just bolts in, may have to rework the part somewhat

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Little Dicey

Just to put in an update. More frustration, more delays and more aggravations. So as I was trying to put on the chrome flexplate cover from Summitt I see it won't fit. Per other comments and reviews on these covers sometimes a modification is necessary. Grrrrr So I modify, modify again, OH MY!! Now I can see the flex plate!! The gears are touching the bottom of the cover before it is even bolted up!!! About 1/2 to 3/4" too short!!!! So I call Summitt, what gives?? "Sorry sir" I am told, "This is the only and right one for your specs" They have no other. While at it I decided to tell them about the dipstick I ordered, the one with the smashed ring on the handle in the unopened sealed package!!! Am I frustrated, no, not me, where"s my beer???
So, now, how to find a cover that fits....................... And, Ironhorse, I agree with you, I am getting too damn old for this crap.

There are two different covers. Depends on your flywheel. The 153 tooth and 168 tooth are different.
All the chrome ones are the 153 tooth.
Post a link of the one you got.

[Ironhorse]

Little Dicey, are you running a 350 Turbo or a 400 Auto? Have always had good luck using a stock GM flywheel cover for the trans. Trying to use a fancy, dancy chrome cover not so much. If needing a stock I may have a spare from when I re-stored my '71 Chevelle that had a 350TH in it.

Did I mention I hate high priced, poorly engineered and ill fitting re-pop parts !

[Little Dicey]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

There are two different covers. Depends on your flywheel. The 153 tooth and 168 tooth are different.
All the chrome ones are the 153 tooth.
Post a link of the one you got.

I have summit part SUM-G3883 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g3883 Nowhere is the product description do I see where there is any info about the number of teeth. The so called tech guy at Summit says it would fit my turbo 400. BUT I will say, that Summit has said they will take both parts back even though I have chopped one up. So if you have a link to where I can get one please let me know as I really do not want to pull this flex plate out again

AS far as my original comment at the beginning of this thread I am still waiting for LMC to call me back on the transmission mount, which I have already fabricated to work. They said they would calling back within 48 hours! They must have some wild clock as it has been about 7 days now!!

[AussieinNC]

Speaking from personal experience...LMC will not call you back...

Spent a total of four hours over three months leaving messages to no avail...

I used to recommend them on occasion....never again...

[geezer#99]

Originally Posted by Little Dicey

I have summit part SUM-G3883 https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g3883 Nowhere is the product description do I see where there is any info about the number of teeth. The so called tech guy at Summit says it would fit my turbo 400. BUT I will say, that Summit has said they will take both parts back even though I have chopped one up. So if you have a link to where I can get one please let me know as I really do not want to pull this flex plate out again

AS far as my original comment at the beginning of this thread I am still waiting for LMC to call me back on the transmission mount, which I have already fabricated to work. They said they would calling back within 48 hours! They must have some wild clock as it has been about 7 days now!!

Pull out what flexplate?
Not needed for a dust cover.

[Little Dicey]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Little Dicey, are you running a 350 Turbo or a 400 Auto? Have always had good luck using a stock GM flywheel cover for the trans. Trying to use a fancy, dancy chrome cover not so much. If needing a stock I may have a spare from when I re-stored my '71 Chevelle that had a 350TH in it.

Did I mention I hate high priced, poorly engineered and ill fitting re-pop parts !

When I first saw your post I thought you were from Wellington CO which is only a stones throw away from me.

Seriously, I actually went from a 350 and a truck 4 speed to a 383 stroker with a turbo 400. I do not think your cover will work. I have a call into my engine builder to see what he did for a flex plate and how we can fix the scenario.

One of these days I am going to see if I can find a picture of me in my white sports jacket in front of my 1972 chevy pickup that I had as a teenager in 1974. "Ole Deek"!!

I appreciate all the help and offers everyone has given me. I think I have figured out how all these aftermarket guys have started their companies. This is their thought process..... "While sitting at the kitchen table eating pop tarts I decided I was going to re-pop parts and what I ended up with was a bunch of re-popped farts aka crap" (This may be more information than I should share)

[Little Dicey]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Pull out what flexplate?
Not needed for a dust cover.

I was talking if I have to switch my flexplate to a different as I was told it must be a weird plate.

[Little Dicey]

Originally Posted by AussieinNC

Speaking from personal experience...LMC will not call you back...

Spent a total of four hours over three months leaving messages to no avail...

I used to recommend them on occasion....never again...

Yeah I have had this happen on a couple of occaisions. One would think a business of their caliber would not leave people hanging. Maybe I will give Year One a shot. Sorry to say I have given LMC quite a few chances as at times I have actually had some good customer service reps back in my racing days, but I fear they no longer work there.

[AussieinNC]

There are only two different SBC flex plates...tooth counts are either 153 or 168

Most aftermarket covers are large enough to fit both flex plates....

[Little Dicey]

That is correct Mr Aussie in NC, I just wish the vendors would be more precie in product descriptions and proper applications. But then, I have a 1970 C10 Chevy PU with, I think a 1986 block and have no idea what year the rebuilt trans is from, so matching parts is a challenge. They love me at the local parts store!!!