The Ford Barn

mhsprecher · 02-08-2022, 12:03 PM

An entertaining thread.

My uncle was an old school parts guy. He knew everything. As has been stated, it's a much more complicated world now than it once was. Remember the old Hollander interchange manuals?

GB SISSON · 02-08-2022, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhsprecher

An entertaining thread.

My uncle was an old school parts guy. He knew everything. As has been stated, it's a much more complicated world now than it once was. Remember the old Hollander interchange manuals?

Don't hit the wrecking yard without one. They were expensive though. My best friend's dad had them, lucky us!

Tim Ayers · 02-08-2022, 01:19 PM

I drive 30 minutes out of the way to go to one particular NAPA. Both counter guys are old time counter guys. They are open 7 days a week and one of two is there on either Sat or Sun.

Most of the times, they'll start heading to the back room before I finish telling them what I need. They just know by looking at the part I bring in. They've also "fudged" some cores for me. One was a flathead starter exchanged for a 12V Y block starter. He said, "I'll try, but if they call I'll need you to pay for the core."

Last time I was there I asked him about it and he said, "Never heard, so you're good."

The guys keep telling me they are helping me out because they want to see the car when it's done.

I've also found that if there is a machine shop attached to the NAPA, it's generally a better branch.

GB SISSON · 02-08-2022, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

I drive 30 minutes out of the way to go to one particular NAPA. Both counter guys are old time counter guys. They are open 7 days a week and one of two is there on either Sat or Sun.

Most of the times, they'll start heading to the back room before I finish telling them what I need. They just know by looking at the part I bring in. They've also "fudged" some cores for me. One was a flathead starter exchanged for a 12V Y block starter. He said, "I'll try, but if they call I'll need you to pay for the core."

Last time I was there I asked him about it and he said, "Never heard, so you're good."

The guys keep telling me they are helping me out because they want to see the car when it's done.

I've also found that if there is a machine shop attached to the NAPA, it's generally a better branch.

It seems like only yeasterday when most any real parts store had a machine shop out back or a close affiliation with one....

Mart · 02-09-2022, 08:42 AM

If you have a good parts store and can get parts for your early Ford, I would suggest stocking up on parts so you can say they will last a lifetime. It only takes that one good salesperson to retire and you might be struggling to find what you want.

Mart.

Kube · 02-09-2022, 11:53 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mart

If you have a good parts store and can get parts for your early Ford, I would suggest stocking up on parts so you can say they will last a lifetime. It only takes that one good salesperson to retire and you might be struggling to find what you want.

Mart.

Mart, You are spot on. Over the past four, maybe five years, the three of the four guys I knew I could always count on have retired and / or passed away.
That leaves, as you'd stated, a real struggle with the "kids" now manning the counter.

justpassinthru · 02-09-2022, 03:19 PM

My business only performs service and repairs to antique and vintage cars.

When I would call the normal parts stores I deal with and say, I need this part for a 1949 XYZ, I would get the OOHH NOO OH MAN here we go again on the phone.

It got to the point, they would see my phone number on caller ID and would not answer the phone if I called on the shop phone! Now days, I look up the part numbers I need before I call them.

You would be surprised what they actually have in stock or available, that doesn't come up on their computers or in their part search for that particular car or year, but actually have it in stock or in the warehouse.

I use the Rock Auto website a lot, to get part numbers, as they are a great source for finding part numbers for various brands, then look it up on line at the part store website, to see if one of part numbers comes up, and then call that local auto parts store with the part number I need. This works most of the time.

Many of these young-ins working in the part stores, never heard of "points and condensers before".

Bill

petehoovie · 02-09-2022, 03:27 PM

Anymore, auto parts stores are more like drug stores - more chemicals than anything else...

02-08-2022, 12:03 PM	#41
mhsprecher Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Takoma Park, MD Posts: 2,963	Re: How do you walk into NAPA to buy 40 Ford Parts? An entertaining thread. My uncle was an old school parts guy. He knew everything. As has been stated, it's a much more complicated world now than it once was. Remember the old Hollander interchange manuals? __________________ 1910 Model T Touring 1924 Model T Coupe 1928 Model A Roadster 1930 Model A Town Sedan 1939 Deluxe Fordor 1945 pickup 1951 Custom convertible

02-08-2022, 01:19 PM	#43
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,917	Re: How do you walk into NAPA to buy 40 Ford Parts? I drive 30 minutes out of the way to go to one particular NAPA. Both counter guys are old time counter guys. They are open 7 days a week and one of two is there on either Sat or Sun. Most of the times, they'll start heading to the back room before I finish telling them what I need. They just know by looking at the part I bring in. They've also "fudged" some cores for me. One was a flathead starter exchanged for a 12V Y block starter. He said, "I'll try, but if they call I'll need you to pay for the core." Last time I was there I asked him about it and he said, "Never heard, so you're good." The guys keep telling me they are helping me out because they want to see the car when it's done. I've also found that if there is a machine shop attached to the NAPA, it's generally a better branch.

02-09-2022, 08:42 AM	#45
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 9,083	Re: How do you walk into NAPA to buy 40 Ford Parts? If you have a good parts store and can get parts for your early Ford, I would suggest stocking up on parts so you can say they will last a lifetime. It only takes that one good salesperson to retire and you might be struggling to find what you want. Mart.

02-09-2022, 03:19 PM	#47
justpassinthru Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Chicagoland Illinois Posts: 26	Re: How do you walk into NAPA to buy 40 Ford Parts? My business only performs service and repairs to antique and vintage cars. When I would call the normal parts stores I deal with and say, I need this part for a 1949 XYZ, I would get the OOHH NOO OH MAN here we go again on the phone. It got to the point, they would see my phone number on caller ID and would not answer the phone if I called on the shop phone! Now days, I look up the part numbers I need before I call them. You would be surprised what they actually have in stock or available, that doesn't come up on their computers or in their part search for that particular car or year, but actually have it in stock or in the warehouse. I use the Rock Auto website a lot, to get part numbers, as they are a great source for finding part numbers for various brands, then look it up on line at the part store website, to see if one of part numbers comes up, and then call that local auto parts store with the part number I need. This works most of the time. Many of these young-ins working in the part stores, never heard of "points and condensers before". Bill __________________ THIS ISN'T THE KIND OF ANSWER I WAS LOOKING FOR OUT OF YOU!

02-09-2022, 03:27 PM	#48
petehoovie Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 10,145	Re: How do you walk into NAPA to buy 40 Ford Parts? Anymore, auto parts stores are more like drug stores - more chemicals than anything else...