The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Good vendors

I've been to the links page to check out the vendors but I was wondering if there were a few companies guys on this forum commonly use and that have good reputations. I'm looking for a whole variety of stuff for my "new" 56 Chevy: Carb rebuild kit, window rubber, intake/exhaust manifold gaskets, etc. Thanks.

I've had real good luck with Jim Carter in Kansas City, fair prices good service and staff know their stuff

Thanks. I'll give them a call.

I've had good luck with my Local Auto Parts Store for intake/exhaust gasket, Valve cover gaskets, carb rebuild kits and other parts.

Napa had a distributor for my 50 on the shelf.

I go to the vendors for specialty parts

American Classic Parts is a sponsor of Stovebolt. In my book, that breaks a tie with their competitors, all things being equal.

Mar-K has excellent quality products made in Oklahoma. They are the flashing sponsor at the top left of your screen.

Oftentimes, you'll find that many of the reproduction houses offer the same part made by the same overseas supplier. There really isn't much difference in quality/availability. The difference is price (but not much), shipping policy, and ease of returns in case you aren't satisfied.

Like Dads50 said, shop local for mechanical parts. You'll save freight/time, and it is always good to get to know your local guys for when you show up with a head scratcher.

Bill

For your weatherstripping and rubber products Steele Rubber Products exceed by far. Have fun and good luck
Dan

its already been said. with a 56 you should be able to get a lot of parts for it locally.... and many parts are probably the same for a few later years. Take the time to do the research, then put it in black and white. Can't go wrong that way.

Thank you, guys. I don't know whether it's just the area where I live, but my local NAPA is hit or miss. I hear guys talk about stuff they got at their local NAPA store and think, "Wow. You wouldn't find that here." Auto Zone is pretty much just good for air fresheners and furry steering wheel covers but every once in a while they come through. I'm rebuilding a '49 Plymouth (yes, two projects at once) and there are two or three vendors that are pretty consistent. Can't trust them for rubber, though. I agree that Steele is the way to go. Anyway, thanks for the information.

Re. American Classic, Denton TX.
If your in TX you'll pay additionally sales tax; add that to your freight and it get more expensive than out of state vendors.
My choices:
Chevy Duty
LMC
Always check for discounts.

Good place to check up on service and quality issues:

Review Board @ 67-72 site.


There is a lot of mechanical and electrical stuff in the NAPA system for old cars and trucks. With their latest site redesign, it is even easier to look a lot of it up yourself.

It is all about finding someone there who will take the time to look it up for you.

If you can find a local parts store, they might try a little harder to find it.

I've found a lot of different mechanical parts in the various big chain warehouse systems for my '65 c10 over the last 8 years.

American Classic does pay the bandwidth fee for the 'bolt here... and their parts are as good as the other vendors... cuz they get 'em from the same places. They don't seem real comfortable with the internet tho', so if you order from them and there is some issue with your order, get with them on the phone as quickly as possible.

Personally I've ordered from:

American Classic

GMC Pauls

Tuckers

LMC Truck - the parts were fine, their customer service is lacking in my opinion.

Jim Carter's - who has a new website that I can't seem to find anything on. They are known for very good customer service tho' here on the bolt. They have a lot of used/nos parts and they also reproduce some quirky hard to find parts for a lot of the older trucks.

My father buys a lot of things from Classic Parts of America(formerly known as Chevy Duty)... and I have bought a few parts from them and several reprints of various old chevy truck literature.


-W

All good info and I would add Rock Auto to the list. They do a great job, responsive and reasonable.

Rock Auto for sure; not just for old vehicles but for all. My son bought a 1974 International Scout II and I found plenty of parts there for it.

If the Napa store close to you does not have many parts for your truck, try other Napa stores in the area. The Napa store east of me does not have much for my truck. The Napa store to the west of me has a good stock of parts onsite and a large warehouse around the corner. They can usually get anything they don't have within a day. Nice to save shipping costs when you can. Ask them if you are eligible for any discounts. I get a AAA Auto Club discount at the local NAPA.

My suggestion would be to get an original master parts book for your truck. I found my NAPA could do a lot with the OE part number on my '52 3 ton GMC. I found most all the mechanical part either there or Carquest with the GM part number. Carquest didn't even charge shipping on the part they had to bring in from an out of town warehouse. As always a good parts man is gold, someone who knows where the paper books are and how
to use them. On your truck they may be able to look parts up by application, my 3 ton was pretty much going off the part numbers I supplied. Good luck.
Scott

If you search your area for an auto shop run by gearheads, you will be greatly rewarded. I found one in my City who has saved me lots of money and heartache just with good advice. He also goes out of his way to fix any problems I bring to him. His prices are not as cheap as online vendors, but he is worth it.
California Auto Supply, Clayton Road, Concord, CA