Dave, I agree. Unless you're replacing an engine in the same exact model car I think it's best to buy a whole parts vehicle.

First, most of the time if the vehicle is still together you can hear it run, I don't know if this is possible in a Pick N Pull type of yard.

Second, if you're pulling an engine from a newer vehicle for an older vehicle, or one of a different make, it good to have the donor on hand so you can make sure you have all of the switches and computer stuff. Even if the peripheral parts are bad at least you have some to take to a parts store to match up. I can only imagine the frustration you'd have when you set your "new" engine into your project and realize you don't have this or that part needed to run the engine

Third, like Dave said, you can usually end up selling some parts off of what's left and make some of your money back.

All of the above can apply even if you're doing an exact vehicle swap but I think it's more important when you cobbling something together.

I just wish someone would start one of these yards in my area.

 

I haven't seen a vehicle in Pull-A-Part that you could hear run. They drain them out and pull the batteries.

I suppose it is a second child hood kind of thing but I really have fun taking a whole vehicle apart to see what is in it that I can use for this and that. It is the one chance I get to see how it all goes together.

OK, so my idea of fun is really strange. Maybe that is another part of the Darkside.

Later Guys...

 

Yards I'm familiar with around Duluth have a 30 day warranty on engines. Translated into, "You better hurry up and get that thing running!" Now the local yard I go to, is more like if it works, great, if not, bring it back. But I'm like "Norm" at Cheers when i go there. From that yard, I've pulled my '62 Meteor, '66 Bronco, and the first '48 f1 came from there through a friend, as well as the KB2's. I've given him more cars/trucks than I've taken and I've bought enough parts from him to keep him fed, lol. Nice thing is I walk up to him with a part, he'll say what car did you get it from, I'll tell him, and he'll say, ah 5 bucks. He's got more old iron than any other yard around, but none of it goes anywhere, since I have to believe nobody knows. He has a couple '48-50's (pretty much stripped), a chrome V8 grilled '56, a few '53-55's, a couple '51/52's, and several GM's of similar years. Granted MN rust has a way with them, but fighting through the brush to walk around them all is absolutely fun! It helps he is an old car fan (particularly Falcons) and is well aware he can make enough money by crushing 80's and 90's cars/trucks to make a living. He has a storage shed next to his garage, and it stays shut.....for a good reason. There's a couple really rare cars in there. Seems he knew to save old iron back when it wasn't cool. Sorry for being long winded.

 

Now that's a relationship I could deal with. The local yards around here are to much into trying to retire on every sale. I used to have a deal like that aboutb thirty yearsn ago, but since the kids took over it is no longer then case.

Later man...

 

no puul a parts round here . either the old fashioned , wallow in mud places , but mostky you stand right there and we'll go get it as our insurance wont let you in the yard places . my great grandfather had one right off browning road here for a long time , max zellers , till the city forced him out { i was only like 10 or so } but i can so easily recollect all the families old dirt coupes , sedans and modifieds , the phone booth t he used as a yard car , the old wreckers of his , and all the old , old stuff just sitting going to h-ll thats would be my retirement in aruba now ................

 

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I'm on their notify list for a few different cars. I have seen several times over the years guys getting the whole truck after it got smacked hard. What baffles me is where they find them. The only places I see getting nearly new trucks are the salvage yards that want you first born and a second mortgage for a decent motor.

 

I went this afternoon to the local Pick n Pull where I had recently spotted at least 4-5 ford 9" rear ends from 68-72 F 100's to put in my 51 F1 and the entire place is clean (not a single car or truck) they are building a new overpass and highway right through the middle of where the yard was. Arghhh.

guess I should have pulled that 9" right then when I saw it in the middle of the snowstorm...... so I guess i'm back to searching the other yards again...
I found the phone number and it didn't work so they probably didn't just move, my guess is that they just closed up shop completely??


Josh

 

Josh,

That's a bummer. I know I've regretted not going back to a couple of old junk yards and when I did they were gone.

VWGeek, have you tried Craigslist? I've been sort of lucky, both ways, selling and buying, on Craigslist. Try SearchTempest, Search Tempest - Craigslist Helper & More!, it's a search engine for Craigslist. You may not find what you're looking for today but check every day and you might find something down the street.