jag1886

I am wondering if we could start a list of companies that provide American made products no matter what the part it is.
I have been having problems restoring my Cutlass because it seems that every other part I buy is built in CHINA and they either don't fit or are such inferior pieces of junk that they fall apart the first time you use them, light bulbs, sockets, wire looms, water necks, hose clamps, brake shoes, wheel cylinders, brake lines, carb kits you name it.
I'm getting tired of having to buy things twice to get the job done.
I have gotten into the habit of asking where the part was made now and if it's not Made in America I don't buy it.
I will gladly pay more for a good American part that fits and works like the original!

I hope I am not alone.

Tony72Cutlass'S'

This is a fantastic idea. Especially when it comes to engine parts and such. Everything is made of Chineasium.

I'll be the first one to add to the list.

1) Edelbrock

Aceshigh

Not everything made in America was/is high quality either.

Look at the history of GM recalls long before outsourcing......
70's vehicles quality was hit or total miss.....no warranties either back then IIRC.

Parts stores sell everything with a "Made in XXXX" stamp on them.
Rotors, I only buy at NAPA because they sell much better home brand rotors.
Raybestos is an aftermarket US Brand whose plant is just outside of Chicago.

Boldsmobile

^ x2

How about a thread that list companies who sell quality product?

Would you really buy an inferior American made product over a superior imported one?

Aceshigh

Nope. I say that very clearly too, without hesitation either.
I'll gladly buy a superior product regardless of where it's produced.

Brake components, I stick to the higher end stuff and I stay away from Chinese imports tho.
I've seen alot of parts stores push the $25 chinese rotors instead of turning your existing ones.
But if they had $25 American Rotors, I'm sure those would be garbage as well.
They tend to warp easier.......seen alot of this happening.

That's the new sale gimmick at parts stores these days.
Next to none around me (Chicago burbs) are turning rotors anymore.

jag1886

Look at the history of GM recalls long before outsourcing......
70's vehicles quality was hit or total miss.....no warranties either back then IIRC.

I agree that not everything from the USA is perfect but I have yet to find a car part from China that is worth the price and that's why I'm looking for American brands still produced in America. I'd also prefer to give my money to and American company than a Chinese company.

Tony72Cutlass'S'

Not sure where Delco's are produced, But i've been buying alot of AC-DELCO parts and they seem to be working pretty well, in terms of form, fit and function.

Also, then i dont have to pay duty at the canadian boarder :P

oldzy

Interesting. I bought some Bendix rotors from RA b/c of the name, and they were a bit pricey... yet when they arrived, they say 'Made in China' on the boxes.

morepwr

jag1886, no you are not alone! I have been making a conscious effort to look at the tags/boxes or whatever of what I want to buy to see where its from. Like you, I have been burned by the good deal on something only to have it not last or often not work at all on some imported stuff.

Sometimes you simply have no choice but I do look for the made is USA label if I can.

455man

I think there is another thread about how many trips are made to the parts store because the parts dont seem to fit well. I'm sold on American products too with the problems I've been having with parts not fitting. I'm getting tired of modifying parts to get them to fit.

jag1886

I brought this up because yesterday I spent half the day making phone calls trying to find an American made stock type HEI for my new engine that would take standard off the shelf parts to repair it if it takes a crap on the highway. Couldn't find one and gave up.