Would you use new old maintenance parts/carb kits?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,206
Reaction score
6,186
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
So I have a crap load of new in box parts, mostly for SBC, that have to be about 20 years old. They werent sealed with plastic or anything, except for carb kits, but are old as dirt. Mostly NAPA brand, some car quest. Would you find any issue using them if they are good?
what i have

Oil filters
Spark plugs(and boy do I have spark plugs)
Gaskets(whole engine gasket set for SBO and SBC, sealed in plastic. cork for oil pan intake and valve covers.)
Wires
Air filters
Bearings - (some are for squares. looks like mostly front spindles. would use part # to make sure. not rusty, covered in layer of oil from factory)
U joints
Seals(wheel seal for rotor, for example. some engine seals)
Brake pads and shoes
Carb kits - wont rebuild but if I sell the carbs I could sell matching kit if good. sealed
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,087
Reaction score
23,893
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
I'm not afraid of using new old stock gaskets. Not at all. It wasn't that long ago that I used a new gasket from a GM gasket set that my grandfather purchased in 1961.
 

Bennyt

Full Access Member
Joined
May 17, 2019
Posts
1,035
Reaction score
1,446
Location
Surprise
First Name
Ben
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
350
Id be leary of oil filters as you can't se any rust inside unless you know the history. Wouldn't use an old air filter either. Could be dried out paper that disingrates and sucks down in your engine. Doubt it would do any damage but to save $10, not worth it. Everything else I would use.
 

Octane

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2019
Posts
2,004
Reaction score
3,571
Location
Atlanta
First Name
Eddie
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
The stuff aint no good...I'l take it off your hands for $20 and free shipping tho.....just to help out. Lol
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,206
Reaction score
6,186
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
I have a lot.. .sadly. Its not that I dont appreciate it or its junk, its just I wish I could have been an adult 10 years ago and saved a lot of things before they rotted away or got worse, rather than make up for lost time? If that makes sense.My grandfather had no organization(I know where I got it then) and I am going to put myself into the habit of organization and keep what i can use but if its old, not doing anything, and never gonna use it... it would be better iwth someone else. and not taking up floor space in my shed.

Just found his zippo. Showed my gma. Its the only thing other than his wedding band he kept on him no matter what. The zippo was from the 50s, so beat to hell. But i bet if you put some fluid in it, it would light right up.

She cried a bit.

I also wish I had someone in my life show me this stuff or had he lived longer and wasnt such a mean SOB he could tell me. Im doing a lot of self teaching as everything else I do.
 

Octane

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2019
Posts
2,004
Reaction score
3,571
Location
Atlanta
First Name
Eddie
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
I have a lot.. .sadly. Its not that I dont appreciate it or its junk, its just I wish I could have been an adult 10 years ago and saved a lot of things before they rotted away or got worse, rather than make up for lost time? If that makes sense.My grandfather had no organization(I know where I got it then) and I am going to put myself into the habit of organization and keep what i can use but if its old, not doing anything, and never gonna use it... it would be better iwth someone else. and not taking up floor space in my shed.

Just found his zippo. Showed my gma. Its the only thing other than his wedding band he kept on him no matter what. The zippo was from the 50s, so beat to hell. But i bet if you put some fluid in it, it would light right up.

She cried a bit.

I also wish I had someone in my life show me this stuff or had he lived longer and wasnt such a mean SOB he could tell me. Im doing a lot of self teaching as everything else I do.
Delete
 
Last edited:

SirRobyn0

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Posts
6,737
Reaction score
11,290
Location
In the woods in Western Washington
First Name
Rob
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
305
So I have a crap load of new in box parts, mostly for SBC, that have to be about 20 years old. They werent sealed with plastic or anything, except for carb kits, but are old as dirt. Mostly NAPA brand, some car quest. Would you find any issue using them if they are good?
what i have

Oil filters
Spark plugs(and boy do I have spark plugs)
Gaskets(whole engine gasket set for SBO and SBC, sealed in plastic. cork for oil pan intake and valve covers.)
Wires
Air filters
Bearings - (some are for squares. looks like mostly front spindles. would use part # to make sure. not rusty, covered in layer of oil from factory)
U joints
Seals(wheel seal for rotor, for example. some engine seals)
Brake pads and shoes
Carb kits - wont rebuild but if I sell the carbs I could sell matching kit if good. sealed

I think for me part of the answer would be where it has been stored. If in a dry heated garage no issue, if in a dry barn I'd use after a quick visual inspection, if in a damp storage shed I'd toss all the filters and inspect the gaskets all really closely before using.
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,206
Reaction score
6,186
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
I think for me part of the answer would be where it has been stored. If in a dry heated garage no issue, if in a dry barn I'd use after a quick visual inspection, if in a damp storage shed I'd toss all the filters and inspect the gaskets all really closely before using.
unheated shed. humidity doesnt get bad because insulated, but def hot and cold.
 
Joined
Mar 22, 2020
Posts
219
Reaction score
199
Location
ozark plateau
First Name
dennis
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
k5
Engine Size
350
I'm not afraid of using new old stock gaskets. Not at all. It wasn't that long ago that I used a new gasket from a GM gasket set that my grandfather purchased in 1961.
did you soak it in water first?
 

SirRobyn0

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2019
Posts
6,737
Reaction score
11,290
Location
In the woods in Western Washington
First Name
Rob
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C20
Engine Size
305
unheated shed. humidity doesnt get bad because insulated, but def hot and cold.
I'd say that's not bad as long as it was dry inside. I'd use my best judgement. I'd take a close look at the air filters and see if they look moisture damaged, if the paper looks moldy or smells of it I'd throw out all the filters. Look for rust on the unpainted metal parts of the oil filters, if there is any you can see you can bet it's inside. The gaskets and seals as long as they aren't dried out or or feel like they have been wet I'd use minor stuff, like wheel bearing seals, valve cover gaskets ect, but I wouldn't use anything that if it failed would be likely to leave me on the side of the road or cost me several hours to do again, for example rear main seal, front cover ect. Spark plugs should be fine as long as they look undamaged. Basically I'd use them but with some caution and judgement.
 

AuroraGirl

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 8, 2019
Posts
9,206
Reaction score
6,186
Location
Northern Wisconsin
First Name
Taylor
Truck Year
1978, 1980
Truck Model
K10, K25
Engine Size
400(?), 350
Fortunately air filters are for a 1940s tractor, not my square. just figured it was a good time to ask
 

MikeB

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2014
Posts
1,748
Reaction score
936
Location
North Texas
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
1969
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
355
I've bought NOS parts from Autozone and Rock Auto. All were in beat-up boxes, and some had light surface rust, but they were functionally perfect. And made in the USA by Moog, Wagner, etc!

Also got lots of gaskets from Rock Auto, including Fel-Pro brand, for small block water pump, t-stat housing, fuel pump, etc, usually for 10-20 cents on the dollar!

They occasionally send me e-mails about "wholesaler closeout" specials and "private label" parts like the CarQuest master cylinder I bought that is USA made. I even see internal engine parts, such as a single piston, single rod bearing, etc. I think they must buy inventories from parts stores that went out of business, including a bunch in dusty old boxes with faded printing.

Right now, I see an 82 passenger-side power window regulator for $15.17. It's Dorman 740516. May not be USA-made, but probably the same as most others costing $40 or more.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,070
Posts
908,368
Members
33,545
Latest member
GrayWK
Top