Search the Community

Good news from the machine shop - the 230 cid motor that I pulled from the '56 Suburban passes muster for the block, rods, crank, cam, valves, valve seats, springs and head. Unfortunately, there was enough vertical scoring on the pistons that they needed to be bored over 0.040, which means I need to buy new pistons. I did some research between our favorite vendors based on price, but then I wondered if there were any significant quality difference between them on pistons and rings. I tend to think that "Made in the USA" get's you a superior part. NOS is, of course, cast iron- new are typically aluminum alloys. Not sure where each vendor sources their parts but I'm assuming that Roberts and Bernbaum are using NOS, while Egge makes their own in the US, or used to. Here's what I found on price for pistons+rings: Summit Racing New $325 Aluminum Roberts Motor Parts NOS? $675 Cast Iron Kanter New $717 ? Andy Bernbaum Auto Parts NOS? $720 Cast Iron Vintage Power Wagons New $774 Cast Iron Egge New $932 Aluminum Small piston in photo is Summit Racing's offering, which looks different from the others.

Paul Flaming has been my informant recently, by notifying me of MIMH (Mopars I must have). recently, he turned me on to 2 - 1956 Plymouth wagons (both in need of a total resto, but with great motors) and now a parts vendor in nearby Selma CA. Thanks Paul! I'm heading over to his car boneyard this morning to pull some trim and front fenders for my '54 Chrysler T&C wagon. Doesn't matter that it's going to be 110 degrees today, because, well you know!. The owner is Steve Rothholz and he has a strong eBay presence as forthebeachonly. I was blown away by the the incredible amount of NOS and refurbished parts he has for American cars and trucks from the 30's to the 60's, a large percentage of which are Mopar. In addition to the Selma store, his vehicle yard is in nearby Fowler, and rivals Turner's for variety and the number of older vehicles with useable parts. Chrysler, Desoto, Dodge, Plymouth and Imperial parts are all represented, including a good proportion of P15 and D24 parts. His prices are very good. I paid $40 for 2 NOS trim pieces for my wagon. His Selma operation is located in a 120 year old lumber warehouse, which makes it that much cooler. Here are some pictures and his contact info. He had not heard of our Forum or website, so I thought I would make the introductions. Maybe we could add him to our vendor page.

California, not Alabama! I was looking on eBay for the center grill piece for my '52 Suburban and found it for a very good price, AND the seller was located in a little town about 30 miles away, so I made arrangements to pick it up. The location originally was the home of an old lumber yard in the downtown, and when I walked into the yard, there sat a restored P15 Club Coupe. I wondered how extensive his inventory of Mopar parts might be- turns out very extensive with lots of NOS parts! The owner, Steve Rothholz has been buying and selling 30s-60s parts for a long time and has an eBay store: http://stores.ebay.com/forthebeachonly I spent some time with Steve and he told me that he is constantly buying parts and that it's a bit of an addiction. I think I resemble that remark! He is part owner in Globe Auto Wrecking, which has been in business since 1938. He currently has multiples of NOS parts (some in the original box) including brakes, engine stuff, body, interior and exterior trim, hubcaps, etc. He has over 900 cars in various local salvage yards, including Turner's Auto Wrecking in Fresno. He mentioned that he also has a number of Mopar engines available for sale including ones with Spitfire heads. He wants to move inventory so his prices are very reasonable. For example, the NOS P15 radio grilI (below) is $50 on his eBay store. Because he has so much inventory, only a fraction of it is listed on eBay. I suggested that he join the Forum and register, and maybe run a banner ad, so our members can benefit. He welcomes phone inquiries.Here is his contact info: Steve Rothholz 2135 McCall Ave Selma, CA (559) 352-1407 fourthebeachonly@hotmail.com

P15-D24.com/Pilot-house.com welcomes new website advertiser Vintage Power Wagons! As the largest supplier of NOS and new flathead engine parts, Vintage Power Wagons (VPW) with have the parts to get your flathead running and back on the road. If you are looking to hop up your flathead they also have flathead performance parts! With extensive support for the 4X4 Powerwagon community VPW also has parts for 2WD trucks and cars. Need pickup body parts? They stock new, used and reproduction pickup box and body parts. Be sure to check out their website and review the full parts catalog. Truck owners will especially appreciate their extensive inventory of parts and shop manuals. As part of this new advertiser introduction Vintage Power Wagons is offering P15-D24.com/Pilot-house.com members 10% off purchases between August 5 to August 9, 2013! When ordering by phone mention offer code “p15d24” for your discount. Remember this promotional offer expires August 9, 2013 so check out the web site today and get your orders in ASAP! Visit Vintage Power Wagons at VintagePowerWagons.com, place order to 800-695-0578 or email dodge@vintagepowerwagons.com.