Replacing parts with others instead of Ford?

Hey guys, Got a quick question. I know that we are to use Motorcraft Plugs, Wires, PCV, Cap & Rotor for our bird to fly really high. But what about other parts, like TFI & Stator in the Distributor, Oil & Temp Sending units, Timing Belts & Tensioners, Seals for the Rear, Cam & Aux Shaft, as well as any other parts you cn think of. Do they hold up as long as the original equiptment. I have a friend who worked for Ford and swears that they are much better than the others & work the added expense.

So when I did the Red car last year, I got only FORD Parts, which are very pricey compared to the ones I can get at NAPA, like Echlin, Chicago Rawhide, Gates, Victor Gasket, etc? The money is tighter on this one, whereas the sky was the limit on the Red Car.



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Tony Sceia -

HIS - Red 88 TC, Med Red with Raven Leather & every option, Walbro 255, 3" SS Downpipe with Magnaflow Dual SS 2.5 Cat Back system, 3-core Radiator, Star Stage 3 Clutch, Rebuilt T-5 Tranny, 4:10 rear, 140 MPH Speedo, New Paint, Headlights, Refinished Snowflakes & New Tires.

HERS - Blue 87 TC, fully loaded with every option, Gilies Valve, K & N Filter, 3-core Radiator...just needs a little body work & a new paint job.

87 TC - Bought as a Parts Car, & will remain a parts car now that I found the blue one.

Years ago, I had a nice conversation with a marketer for aftermarket parts. I asked him why the OEM parts were so expensive and why aftermarket replacements didn't hold up as well or long as OEM.
His reply was that the aftermarket replacement parts were usually going on cars that had only 20,000-40,000 miles left in them, so to keep the parts affordable and keep the profit margin, they were not built with the same materials (or over-all quality) as OEM.

Tony, I use the NAPA stuff for a lot. Cap, rotor, some sensor ( I get Ford ECTs) I use NAPA for water pumps, t-stats, belts and hoses, stock valve springs, seals, starters, rebuilt distributors.

I think Jeff hs said he like Wells TFIs. but you better get him to confirm that.

Someone recetly posted this site as a place to get sensors. I have no experience with them:
http://www.ronmorrisperformance.com/10fo...index.html

Dont get me wrong, I like Ford Parts. But they aren't cheap. NAPA isn't all the cheap but I just don't trust some things from other parts stores.

I was also wondering about this subject. Ive used NAPA for the TFI on my 5.0 GT and got over 70 k on it with no problems. I think that some parts are just built poorly and some are done well. If theres a lifetime warranty associated with the part, I dont mind paying alittle extra.

Nope, Pete..... IMO, Wells TFIs are not very good. Tried a Wells TFI many years ago, and it failed in a month. As far as TFIs go, I will only use KEM or Motorcraft. NAPA / Eschlin TFIs may be good, but I have no personal experience with them.

For "important" stuff, like TPS, water pumps, starters, etc, I will usually use either Ford or NAPAs "best" stuff. Keep in mind you get what you pay for. I have a NAPA / Eschlin TPS on the TC now, and it seems to be a good quality part, but I paid close to $50 for it. I could have gotten a TPS from an unknown manufacturer from AZ for about $20, but I spent the extra $$ for the NAPA part. Money well spent, IMO. Last starter I bought, I paid close to $120 from NAPA for one with 100% NEW internals.... only the case was "old". Beware the cheap parts store $29 rebuilt starters. alternators, water pumps, etc.

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 21 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 02 Taurus Vulcan(wifes car)

Jeff, thanks for the correction. That's why I put the weasel words in. Memory, a beautiful thing [Image: biggrin.gif]

FWIW, you can get Motorcraft parts for roughly the same price as most aftermarket stuff if you get a fair deal at your dealer (rare), or deal with an on-line source like rockauto.com

In a lot of cases, the price on the redbox part (motorcraft) is better than the price on THE SAME PART in the blue box (Ford service part). I pay less for Motorcraft plug wires than I would for Autolite's from a parts store.

Bob Myers

[This message has been edited by martin0660 (edited 11-07-2004).]

Thanks Guys for all the posts. I too agree with Jeff that you get what you pay for, thats why I get most OEM parts from the dealer. I will try rockauto & order what I need. Thanks again boys.

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Tony Sceia -

HIS - Red 88 TC, Med Red with Raven Leather & every option, Walbro 255, 3" SS Downpipe with Magnaflow Dual SS 2.5 Cat Back system, 3-core Radiator, Star Stage 3 Clutch, Rebuilt T-5 Tranny, 4:10 rear, 140 MPH Speedo, New Paint, Headlights, Refinished Snowflakes & New Tires.

HERS - Blue 87 TC, fully loaded with every option, Gilies Valve, K & N Filter, 3-core Radiator...just needs a little body work & a new paint job.

87 TC - Bought as a Parts Car, & will remain a parts car now that I found the blue one.

I have very good luck with NAPA parts. My NAPA wires work better and last longer then the Motorcraft. We use NAPA parts to maintain our truck fleet (50+ trucks)when ever possible, and our fleet mechanic is a GM Mr. Goodwrench technician. The NAPA clutch cable is the only one I have had that holds up.

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85.5 TC 5 speed, Ranger Roller cam, 3" exhaust system, manual boost valve, large VAM, SVO PE computer, front mount Motorsport intercooler & sport grille, ported upper and lower intakes,flow matched injectors, ported E6 manifold, 245/45/17 wheels & Tires,140 mph speedo,Motorsport lowering springs, under restoration