Stockpiling List - Parts For Old Cars

[jtay2024]

Morning / Afternoon / Evening all!

I have an old car currently (27 years old now). That I am starting to put a lot of effort into getting into a good shape. I am trying to create a list of things that are worth buying now, before they start disappearing completely!

The list I can think of off the top of my head stands as the following, it'd be cool if anyone else could throw in ideas of things that become had to come by as a model stops being around any more.

Service Items

• Air filters
• Oil filters
• Fuel filters
• Spark / Glow Plugs
• Couple of auxilliary belts
• A timing belt & water pump kit

Brakes

• Caliper seal kits
• Caliper slide / piston kits
• Pads
• A set of discs

Suspension

• Shock absorbers
• Springs
• Anti-roll Linkages
• A set of bushes

Steering

• Power steering pump
• Inner / Outer tie rods

Cooling

• Thermostat
• Heater matrix
• Radiator / oil cooler

Engine

• Crankshaft pulley
• Rocker cover gasket set
• Head gasket set

Can anyone else think of anything to add to the list? Things that may have caused you issue to get hold of on your old cars? It'd be cool to build the "Ultimate guide to futureproofing a classic".

Cheers!

 

[wings&wheels]

How niche of a car, i.e. English built Ford, Defender, Porsche or Morgan or TVR?

Either way, from my experience as a hoarder;
-Model specific trim; interior and exterior. Especially interior trim items that are subject to wear.
-Electronics from that era are becoming problematic on some cars more than others and can be hard to locate, especially if it a low volume vehicle; failure prone modules, key/immobilizer fobs, oddball relays, switches, etc.
-Any contemporary factory options you may want to add at some point
-Plastic lenses
-OE/OEM rubber body seals as many/most current aftermarket seals are rubbish
The list goes on...

 

[Lubener]

If I don't see myself using any parts within a two year period, they don't go on my "hoards" list. . For my classics, I keep filters, plugs, thermostat, maybe belts and hoses but nothing more. I can't justify hoarding parts that may never be needed.

 

[fdcg27]

If I don't see myself using any parts within a two year period, they don't go on my "hoards" list. . For my classics, I keep filters, plugs, thermostat, maybe belts and hoses but nothing more. I can't justify hoarding parts that may never be needed.

Sure, but OTOH, you'd have a stock of readily marketable spares that might be hard for another owner to find.

 

[PF52]

Sure, but OTOH, you'd have a stock of readily marketable spares that might be hard for another owner to find.

+2

I have a spare gas tank, master cylinder, brake pads, hoses, distributor and a few more things for my Fiero, all brand new.... Plus several used calipers, front wheel bearings, a radiator and various other plastic bits. The '88s had a lot of one-year-only stuff. Anything I wind up not needing I'll probably just give away to friends, or flip on Ebay.

 

[JeffKeryk]

I have an old car currently (27 years old now). That I am starting to put a lot of effort into getting into a good shape. I am trying to create a list of things that are worth buying now, before they start disappearing completely!

Old? My 2 classics are a 65 442 and 68 Corvette... Vette parts are easy to get, except for an unmolested Q-Junk while the 442 parts can be unobtainiun... Dang switch-pitch trans! And the 4-Jet bolt pattern is ... I don't even know.

 

[wlk]

I go to the junkyard to pull extra parts to stockpile. Some things are new i buy, such as filter sales, ATF, or clearance items that are discounted or prone to fail and I keep an extra in the truck.

 

[drtyler]

OE interior & exterior trim, rubber seals, & interior parts may be more viable than hoarding consumables like air filters, brake discs, and spark plugs.

 

[Kurtatron]

I wouldn’t hoard maintenance things that are shared with other models. Spark plugs, oil filters, air filters will always be available.

And you need to be more creative if you want to keep an old car for decades. As in, many things should be 3d-printed, or repaired, or swapped out with something else entirely. That’s the best way to look at the long term. For example, weather trim seals can be molded by applying a heat gun to generic weather to “mold” it into the shape you need. Even an ac compressor can be swapped out for an electric unit these days. Resourcefulness is more important than hoarding imo.

Now some things can never be replaced easily. I would prioritize:
Rubber engine and transmission mounts.
Head gaskets.
Water pump.
Rear and front main seals.
Transmission solenoids (if you have an automatic)
Starter motor.
Accessory belts.
Timing chain components. (Belt stuff usually less hard to find)
Maybe an ECU.

 

[wings&wheels]

Forum rules for threads like this should require a description of the vehicle, even a picture as if it worth this effort, it is probably interesting. NO TEASING!

 

[MCompact]

How niche of a car, i.e. English built Ford, Defender, Porsche or Morgan or TVR?

Either way, from my experience as a hoarder;
-Model specific trim; interior and exterior. Especially interior trim items that are subject to wear.
-Electronics from that era are becoming problematic on some cars more than others and can be hard to locate, especially if it a low volume vehicle; failure prone modules, key/immobilizer fobs, oddball relays, switches, etc.
-Any contemporary factory options you may want to add at some point
-Plastic lenses
-OE/OEM rubber body seals as many/most current aftermarket seals are rubbish
The list goes on...

Those are some practical suggestions; the specifics are always vehicle dependent. To prepare my 1995 Club Sport for a fall tour last year I replaced the cooling system, the knock sensors, a rear brake caliper and the EWS II module. Every part was readily available -most all from BMW- which helpfully provides parts for older cars though their BMW Classic division. The only parts I've "hoarded" have been a couple of interior trim pieces and a combination switch- all of which are specific to the E36/5 Compact. In most cases replacement parts for the power train, brakes and suspension are shared with other E36 models so I'm relatively confident that parts availability won't be an issue for some time- especially considering the fact that I was able to pick up parts for my 2002 from my BMW dealer's parts counter as late as 2012 and 2013.

 

[MCompact]

Forum rules for threads like this should require a description of the vehicle, even a picture as if it worth this effort, it is probably interesting. NO TEASING!

Done.

 

[JoeDirt41]

Consumables like brake pads and spark plugs are unlikely to be discontinued. But alternator, starter, wheel bearings. I would just buy complete calipers rather than the seal kits. Coolant hoses. Brake hoses. Parking brake cables. Battery cables. Master cylinder, maybe a booster. Evap purge valve. Distributor/ignition coils. Heater core, A/C components.

Hardware- go to a U-Pull-It junkyard with a box and take as many bolts, nuts and screws as you can get.

This list could get quite lengthy, but these are parts I’ve had a hard time getting for older stuff.

 

[Chris142]

Those parts are easy to get. Id look more towards window regulators,handles etc.

It took me 20 years to find a good used windshield for my 73 international pickup. No new ones are made

 

[Snagglefoot]

Those parts are easy to get. Id look more towards window regulators,handles etc.

It took me 20 years to find a good used windshield for my 73 international pickup. No new ones are made

Try www.ihpartsamerica.com They might be making them again.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

It's impossible to guess what you need. On my old f150 I had the voltage regulator die, replaced it. Alternator completely soon after, replaced it. Got a spare too, it's been under my work bench for 10 years and counting. I think interior parts may be the only thing that may be unobtanium but its so hard to guess what you might need. Hording parts is usually a waste of time and money. You might need a door panel some day. Might not.

 

[Legs4Arms]

I'm constantly on the hunt for OEM wrapper Fox Body Mustang parts

 

[JeffKeryk]

Forum rules for threads like this should require a description of the vehicle, even a picture as if it worth this effort, it is probably interesting. NO TEASING!

Done.

 

[Arc]

If everyone is like me they have plenty of new spare parts for vehicles we no longer have just sitting on a shelf in the garage.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Things like Gaskets and rubber bushings do degrade from just sitting around. Maybe not as bad as on the car.

You can usually find a shock that will fit unless its something oddball. I would be more concerned about things like Electronics or sensors - there usually very specific.