Robert,
Re: TIP. Many times, you will find that what is initially more
expensive is cheaper in the long run.
Re: your upholstery & electrical parts issues.......Why did you go to
VB? No, never mind.
Much as I'd rather not; I DO buy Moss stuff through my friendly, local
furrin' car parts store. In the case of electrical components, (when I
can't find good, reconditioned or used stuff), I often use The Roadster
Factory (Triumph & MGB specialists), since many/most Spridget electrical
stuff was also used on Bs and certain Triumph models. If there is a
better-quality component to be had, TRF can be depended upon to have
access to it. They'll also tell you whether the part they have is good,
bad or indifferent, if you ask them.
Many of our cars electrical components can, easily, be
rebuilt/reconditioned and are almost ALWAYS better, by far, that the
crap being sold today. Ignition switches are, I suspect, rebuildable by
"the usual suspects". Check w/Peter C, or maybe Nisonger or Joe Curto.
Seems like I remember reconditioning the ignition switch in my '72
Midget about 25 years ago. Unfortunately, I can't remember enough about
it to do you any good.
As far as upholstery, have you tried MacGregor British Car Parts? I
needed some hardtop seals & glazing rubber, recently, and Ian (?)
MacGregor was extremely helpful. I'm pretty sure he sells
interior/upholstery kits, too. I highly recommend him.
Bud Osbourne
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-spridgets@Autox.Team.Net
[mailto:owner-spridgets@Autox.Team.Net] On Behalf Of Robert Weeks
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 10:21 AM
To: spridgets@autox.team.net
Subject: Where to go for parts?
I really appreciated the recent blast cabinet discussion. I was going to
order a cabinet for HF but after reading the posts and checking out TIP
I found a cabinet that is only slightly more expensive and hopefully
considerably better. ( http://tinyurl.com/28hnzc* )* I'm hoping that
coupled with Frank's bong and my 5hp compressor will be sufficient for
wire wheels and small parts.
Now what I'd really like to know is where to get parts for my car that
will last more than a few months. I noticed yesterday that the piping on
the seats I reupholstered shortly before I parked the car was cracking.
The passenger seat which has the worst cracking was sat in for maybe a
total of 10 hours max.
I ordered an ignition switch from VB last week and paid their extra
expensive 2 day shipping so it would be here for last weekend and of
course it is the wrong switch for a 69. They show the switch on one page
as being correct for 65-67 spridgets and on another page as the correct
switch for 68-69 spridgets. Upon closer inspection of the catalog it
seems these both have the same part number (8-404). What I got received
seems to be 8-404 with 8-396 (lock) already installed When I called to
ask about it, specifically how to remove the lock since that won't work
for the 69, they said that they don't have any tech staff there and they
don't know anything about it.
I also ordered a new complete clutch master - slave cylinder setup from
them at the same time and the master cylinder fits but it looks nothing
like the original (plastic reservoir and cap).....
I could go on and on with parts I bought from Moss & VB that didn't fit,
didn't last, etc.. but I think everyone here has heard it all before.
I'd like to do this stuff once and be done with it, not over and over
again every 1 - 2 years.
So where do those in the know go for quality parts that fit and last?
Thanks,
Robert
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