When I first started rebuilding my Cutlass I bought a lot of stuff all at one time. Much of it has been sitting on a shelf for the past year. In the past 2 weeks I have been getting most of this stuff back on the car or testing parts that have been on the car but waiting to go into service. First the right front caliper that came with the disc brake conversion kit would not seal where the banjo bolt connects, because of poor machining. Next the new dimmer switch, which worked perfectly before installing the carpet, failed when switching to low beams. Today the coup de grace. Fired the engine up and 5 minutes into the break-in run I watch the temp gauge start to rise and coolant puking out of the radiator. Pulled the thermostat and stuck it in a pan of boiling water and guess what! I have seen a lot of complaints on this site about bad parts. Until you see some of this stuff for yourself it is hard to believe.

 

Yes, that can be frustrating. I just clean up and walk away for a bit for an attitude adjustment.

 

I know exactly how you feel! I have to save up and buy parts when i can, so i end up having parts for quite awhile before putting them on the car. I have had a few parts that i've had to modify to work, and others i was very lucky that i could return or exchange. The worst part is that i order parts from the US, pick them up there, so if there's trouble it's a real challenge for me to send back.

 

Well that's a total bummer, I would have a few choice words too

 

We've all been there. If you post the part and where you purchased it, it just might help others on here to avoid repeating this frustrating part of the hobby.