Guys, I have a 62 394-2bl that I want to give a her tune up. Just bought the car, Dynamic 88 65k mile original, time capsule. Runs good. I will not drive it much at all so my question is: will basic OEM parts from Rock Auto work? Plugs, plug wires, rotor, distributor cap, condenser, points. Just wanting to start fresh and make it reliable. May get a 2bl rebuild kit too.

 

I don't see why not. Do you know the last time it was tuned? Perhaps the parts that are in there are relatively new and all you need to do is double check the condition and settings.

 

Eric, thanks I looked up on Rock Auto the parts listed above, when I was at Discount Tire. They put 225/70x 14 Hankook tires on her. Not the best-but rated very good,there were on sale for $78.00 a piece. The bonus: I also got a $75.00 prepaid Visa card on the sale (special expires tomorrow) WOW. I cannot believe how cheap they are! And the parts at Rock Auto was only like $35.00 that's crazy cheap. That's the reason why I just assume get new and start over, then I know where I'm at. I too used to building these performance higher $$$$ Olds stuff. I guess it was my lucky day except the car would not start at Discount Tire, had to crawl under the car and hit the starter with a mallet. It would just " Tick " until then.

 

Lol, at least you drove it back home. The Hankook tires are a quality tire, and should provide many years of good service. I was just suggesting that if the parts are good in there now are serviceable then just double check the settings, give it an oil change, pull the wheels, check the brakes, and repack the bearings. Give it a once over for the front end and suspension parts. Check the Ujoints, rear end oil, and make sure the trans fluid is full and a pretty pink color. If it ain't broke don't fix it or the maw's will kick in and before you know it you have another major project going. Drive and enjoy it, remember you still have the wifes Vette...

 

Just to clarify, you can't buy "OEM parts" from RockAuto. Those only come from GM, and unless you score expensive N.O.S. parts on ebay, you won't find them. RockAuto and every other parts store sells replacement parts. The quality of these can vary significantly, even within a single brand. For example, Standard Motors ignition and electrical parts are available in different quality levels, with prices that vary accordingly. The differences can be things like the material used for the contacts in a rotor, or the thickness and material of a distributor cap. There's nothing wrong with quality replacement parts from RockAuto or elsewhere, but don't necessarily buy the cheapest ones you can find.

 

I gotcha Joe, thanks for the "clarification" on OEM. I thought about that after I sent the message.

 

OldCutlass, U want to come over??? Plenty of great food, beer and wine?? I got the front of the motor on the Vette in pieces, been busy cleaning and restoring whatever. It all Started just to replace the water pump,and saw what condition everything else was. So, pulled the radiator supply tank to get the BAD battery out and all the rubber- heater hoses, radiator hoses, all are dry rotted too. Radiator supply tank sets above the battery. So ordered for express delivery a bunch of $$$$$$ in parts-original repos,but coded and dated from Long Island Corvette. Just came in an hour ago. I have a busy 4th week end. I have to get the tranny in the 67 too.

 

Ummmmm, I just got finished putting a basket case 67 BB tri powered Roadster back together, still recuperating from that pain. It came as a frame, a body, and many, many boxes of unmarked parts.

If your hell bent on buying tuneup parts, buy them local. If you have any issues it doesn't take as much time to exchange them. Same goes for that worn out starter.

 

When shopping Rock Auto one has to factor in the shipping (from numerous warehouses) charges to determine the "true cost."

Personally, I would go to my local NAPA retailer and get their top shelf stuff.

 

You are correct about the shipping costs, but here in NoVA, the sales tax usually is a wash with shipping costs. NAPA is unfortunately no longer a guarantee of "top shelf" parts, either. I recently paid dearly for rear brake drums for my dually at NAPA, electing to pay extra for the top of the line parts. These were still Chinesium, and worse, were out of round from the factory. I had to have them turned anyway. Apparently the only difference in NAPA parts from the low-cost to highest-cost items is the length of the warranty. The extra cost is only paying for the "insurance policy". To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.

I usually buy parts from RockAuto, only because the stuff I usually need is never in stock at local stores. Rather than making two trips to the parts store, I get the parts delivered to my doorstep. I will say that for high density or oversize parts (brake rotors, calipers, drums, exhaust pipes), it's usually cheaper to buy locally than to have them shipped. Anything else, the on-line sources are usually cheaper.

 

I also like the cost from Rock Auto. I have had good luck with their stuff for the most part. I hate the shippng from multiple warehouse BS though. I had problems with my points burning up in 6 months on my '64 Dynamic. I switched over to Petronics electronic ignition, and have not had any problems since.

 

X2 on NAPA. They can get old, or older, electronic parts pretty quickly.

 

I'd consider a Pertronix module too, simply because top quality points ignition parts are so hard to get.


Friend had some issues with his 403-equipped 77 LeSabre Estate wagon recently and they traced back to a NAPA Echlin distributor cap with less than 8000 miles on it. The carbon button had completely worn away in that time.


I still like NAPA but am starting to doubt some of their electrical parts. Global economy and cheap materials/labor do us no favors.

 

x2 Pertronics is the way to go.

 

I'll be the bad guy, I'd just buy a heavy duty set of points and a new condenser.