Cheesy Chinese Castings

[Mike Ellis]

After having "difficulties" with a thermostat bolt on my '72 Jimmy and a temper fit that resulted in destruction of the thermostat housing I went to the local Pep Boys for a replacement.



The piece they brought out for me was the most shoddy looking piece of cast iron I have ever seen in my life, there are old pipe joints in the sewer that were better done. And it was $9. 00 too. I declined this Chinese POS, and asked the guy for an American unit - he said the POS was all they stocked.



The last water pump I got was a pretty grim looking piece too, and it didn't last long. Have all the American suppliers been pushed out of business in favor of this cheap crapola? Does anybody stock good quality parts anymore?



Looks like I'll be heading to NAPA tomorrow, and if they don't have one I'll be on the way to the junkyard.

 

[Un-Hemi]

Welcome to the New World Order.

 

[Royk]

Welcome to the New World Order

Actually, you should have said "Welcome to Pep Boys"



I find they sell the cheapest, junk quality stuff so that they can out price the competition. I'm sure NAPA can provide a quality part. I only go to Pep Boys for stuff like Rotella, windshield washer fluid, etc.



I refuse to buy anything made of metal thats made in China. Been burn't too many times.



Roy

 

[QRTRHRS]

I know with rotors and drums, NAPA will carry two grades. At least you have a choice.



Sears has jeans on sale so I stopped to buy some Lee's. I usually grab maybe six pair. Seems like you need to try on every pair to get just the right fit.



I try my best to buy American or even do without. My employer is in the process of phasing out all domestic production in favor of moving it to China. My feeling is changing thusly. If I want to buy say some kind of electronic product, I may as well buy something like a Sony rather than support a domestic company using off shore production.

 

[me4osu]

Same thing goes here at work. We NEVER buy Chinese pipe or fittings. The stuff is reportedly made out of melted down whatever. Nails, scrap metal etc... Not exactly ANSI grade.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Wait till you try Chinese Bearings, had some on a cargo tailer once. It soon became one of those "check the tire pressure and change the bearings" routines.

 

[parcher]

When I have water pump to replace, I only use new oem or Airtex. The Airtex part are all new not rebuilt and are beautiful quality. If all else fails on the thermostat housing, go high end and get something from Summit or Jegs... race car stuff!

 

[rkressg]

Originally posted by Royk

Actually, you should have said "Welcome to Pep Boys"



I find they sell the cheapest, junk quality stuff so that they can out price the competition. I'm sure NAPA can provide a quality part. I only go to Pep Boys for stuff like Rotella, windshield washer fluid, etc.



I refuse to buy anything made of metal thats made in China. Been burn't too many times.



Roy

Advance has cheeper parts than Pep Boys and even worse than the two is Auto Zone. Buy it once, get it from NAPA and get the better part of the available. The part will probably start with the number 765-xxxx get that one and not the one 2765-xxxx. The two is the junkier part.

just my $0. 02

-Rich