Free Parts and Help?

"Bandit" (2bandit) 07/09/2014 at 18:03 • Filed to: None

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I'm curious, has anyone ever given free parts or help to you? I'm often given free parts from people because they like that a young guy is fixing his car. I've been given: 6x heads for my 400, a 4 barrel intake for my 400, two carbs (Qjet and 2-barrel), transmission (th400), old cast iron manifolds for the 400, door panel emblems ($30 a piece), window switches, random dash electronics, wiring connectors, gauges, OE gas cap, an original dome light lens, and other small bits.

It's not just parts, one thing I've found is a car guy will almost always help another car guy (me) when they are stuck on the side of a road. I was driving the 46 International and screwed up the carb and choke assembly when I stalled it, a great car guy helped me get it running and then allowed me to pull into his garage (where he had a bad ass 72 Chevy Suburban) and fix the problem.

What has the "car guy brotherhood" given to you?

unpredictable_swerve > Bandit 07/09/2014 at 18:10

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I've given parts to a few guys in my local MR2 group, and I've given some damaged parts to anyone who wants it so long as they pay shipping. Haven't gotten any free parts for my car, but I was given a motorcycle that I traded for some seats. Does that count?

Rainbow > Bandit 07/09/2014 at 18:18

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When my Mustang broke down (for the very last time in my ownership, unfortunately) a guy in a pristine '80s Honda from the opposite side of the country offered to help. Considering he had gotten that thing all the way over here, I trusted him enough to let him have his way with my baby. Of course, I still don't know what he did (he was using a screwdriver to complete a circuit. Not sure which one or why) or if it only ruined my car even more, but the guy who bought it from me was able to drive it onto a trailer after replacing the starter, which I already knew I had broken, so if he did ruin something, it didn't fail right away.

JGrabowMSt > Bandit 07/09/2014 at 18:29

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Time and experience. There's nothing like 9 hours under a car with someone to really know who's willing to give you a hand.

That and when you aren't sure how to do something, when someone can give you a pointer, that's where it counts. Or lending, even giving tools here and there.

Parts are nice, and can save money, but the know-how from other people is truly invaluable.

Bandit > JGrabowMSt 07/09/2014 at 18:39

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Ill agree to that! My grandfather has taught me a ton about wiring and a family friend taught me about engine tuning.

Bandit > unpredictable_swerve 07/09/2014 at 18:40

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That's awesome!

unpredictable_swerve > Bandit 07/09/2014 at 18:42

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Writing the post now! :D

Bike didn't run though... No 1 tire fire for me...

StoneCold > Bandit 07/09/2014 at 19:30

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Whole bunches of stuff: Woodgrain steering wheel, valve covers, power steering apparatus, convertible top, box O' trim, set of gaskets (which turned out to be one and a half times a full engine rebuild set), seats, and a gas cap.

Old Mustang guys are really nice, and as soon as I'm done, I want to be like them and start unloading .

JGrabowMSt > Bandit 07/09/2014 at 19:30

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With a couple of the tips people have taught me, I can replace most sway bars in under an hour, or do the links in a matter of minutes. It was just catching a few people saying what they had to do in order for me to be able to really pinpoint the "secret" to getting it done. Completely worth it.

If I never share anything that I've learned, what's it good for? Just like money, once I'm gone, I can't take it with me, so the best thing I can do is pass it along.