The other day I saw a banged up OLD radiator on ebay for a f1 sell for over a couple of hundred bucks. LMC sells them new for $249. Even if the original one was heavier duty, there is going to be a major expense when it is taken to the radiator shop, not to mention if it needs a core. Am I missing something here?

 

One word, Auction- the desire to beat the other fellow out of something, no matter what it cost.

I have been to auctions around here and seen people pay big $$$ for something when they could have bought it for much less at Wal-Mart.

 

Mebbe someone figured an original that could be fixed, is better than the El Cheapo Made in China radiators lmc sells. That would be my way of thinking.


What's the guarantee on these Chinese parts?

Prolly the same as a cheap used car. 90 days or 4,000 feet. Whichever occurs first.

 

And what about shipping costs? Maybe I need to drag out my old radiator and put it up on Ebay. I'd be happy to get 50 bucks for it.

 

$26 shipping from LMC. The saying I remember is "a fool and their money are soon parted". I understand about the chinese thing but if its made out of metal (brass not aluminum) it can be repaired and should last more then a week. I was wondering if anyone on this forum has bought one from LMC. Problem with old stuff and you guys know, is it can be a can of worms which can cost big $$$ if you dont know what you are getting, ie Ebay.

 

I love auctions, I like to go to auctions just to watch what I call "Auction Fever". That's when they hold up a circular saw, scraped up and missing a cord, that I can buy new at a local store for $35 go for $40! I have seen this at almost every auction I have gone to.

I have also found great bargains at auctions. The last one I went to I bought a grill and radiator for a '35-36 Ford truck for $125 and sold two days later for $250. This paid for the gas I used to go to the auction. I also bought a radiator for one of my trucks for $5, it was in with 5 other radiators for different vehicles and no one bid on them, I bet $5 choice and got the one I wanted.

eBay is no different. My favorite experience with eBay was last year. A seller had a complete, new set of stainless grill trim for the '48-50 truck. He said he bought the set new but didn't like how they looked so he put them up for sale, starting the bidding at $65. They normally sell for around $200 new. I figured what the heck and bid $75. No one bid and I got them for the $65 price. The following week the same situation with another seller. This time the seller stated you could buy them new for $200 from Dennis Carpenter and even gave the part number. They ended up selling for $230! Not that's nuts!

You also have to be careful with shipping. A lot of times I have seen items sell on eBay well below what you can buy at a local supplier like NAPA but then the shipping adds to the cost to make it more expensive. I have seen flath V8 fuel pumps sell for $50 and up plus shipping, I bought mine at NAPA for $39.

 

Don't even get me started on Chinese junk. In the first place, what assurance do you have that they are using the correct alloys of brass or copper, and not some melted down tuna cans? What are the chances everything will fit "exactly" correctly? '51-'52 front parking light assemblies are a perfect example; they look right but just don't fit.

Some people who are doing a 100-point resto need OEM, period correct parts.

 

Ross, amen to your post on the Tuna cans, or what ever they use. That stuff sure is a nightmare.
I even heard that there is a town/city over there named u.S.a.
I spelled it that way as thats what i heard from different channels, of information.
Small u, large S, small a. Apparently that is the way you see it and that is supposed to be Chinese, so if this is true then beware.

P.S. did you get the horn working?

 

Sure did! Thanks again for your help!

I heard the same story about a town in Japan (back in the '60's) called Usa.

Did you know it is Chinese law that chinese-made alloy piping cannot be used for high pressure steam piping? Doesn't that say a lot?!