best parts/brand names?

[sasquatch]

im gonna buy some parts for my new motor tomorow or very soon so i was looking on rock auto and found they have a bunch of brand names of gaskets and timining belts and junk like that... so im wondering which ones are the best. i have no choice but to go with "fel-pro" gaskets but i have never heard anything bad about them.... im wondering about stuff like my timining belt... they have :

dayco
cloyes
beck/arnley
sealed power

which one should i go with? im not cheaping out, i have put alot of time and money in it so why do the last half of it with junk parts...

and the water pump is the same storey... which one should i got with?

EASTERN INDUSTRIES
A-1 CARDONE
CARDONE SELECT
ACDELCO
BOSCH

i was thinking the bosh cause they have a awesome name but still would like some input.

also, when im in there catalog they have a "323" and a "323 DX" with a canada flag beside it, i think that means canada spec right? is there a diff between the two?

[Levitan]

Yes to Fel-pro.

[sasquatch]

Yes to Fel-pro.

cool thanks

also. they have no piston rings for the 323 so i checked a mx3 and they have them for that... will they fit? also will the oil pump fit?

EDIT. i just checked the sight again and they have ALL the parts i need for my motor under the regular 323... is there any diff between the canada spec ones? i have a 94 323 auto with b61k stamped all over it and the site says 1.6L 1597cc L4 MFI. im looking under the right motor right? and one more question.... do you think i should get new valve springs? i can sort of squish them about half way with my hand... is that normal?

[Levitan]

Timing belt, probably Gates, but not positive.

Not sure about the Great White North, but here in the States, most of the McAutoParts stores have several options. Personally, instead of name brand, I would be focusing on lifetime warranty products. My guess is there are only 1 or 2 places that really "make" water pumps, for example, but sell them to companies that put that company's name on it.

[sasquatch]

^ ya thats probley true... but dosnt bosch make there own?

[Levitan]

no idea

[KingFish]

I'd go Beck/Arnley on the belt, good quality hi/sat nitrile. They will probably be the most $$$ as well. Avoid anything cardone, mass producers can skimp on quality. And yea, Bosch would be the quality name on the pump. This is if money were no object.

Yea, fun. Got to use my ASE.

[sasquatch]

thanks for the info whats a "ASE"

[nonamekid]

Yea, fun. Got to use my ASE.

Are you certified as a mechanic or a parts specialist or ....?

Dayco makes good belts also.

[boosted_eclpse]

ASE certified techs are suppost to get a discount at most major part suppliers like autozone, ect.

[KingFish]

Just P2 Parts. But I have 6 years selling all of those brands. It all just opnions.


P.S. a trained chimp can pass the P2 exam.

[jglutz]

If I want a decent part....NAPA or CarQuest...I've never had a problem

[sasquatch]

whats better... acdelco or dayco? for a timining belt...

someone, please? im online buying parts now

[Mike McKown]

whats better... acdelco or dayco? for a timining belt...

someone, please? im online buying parts now

I used to blindly buy anything AC Delco. Not anymore. Their stuff is not, for the most part American made and there's been lot's of complaints on the quality of their parts from the people I associate with. I've even had a little trouble myself.

I wouldn't buy lifetime parts and I wouldn't/won't buy ANYTHING from Auto Zone unless it's a brand name.

[KingFish]

Dayco.