Parts Shopper

Headlight conversion kit

Covert the vacuum operated Hide-A-Way headlights on your 1968 or 1969 GTO to electronic operation with this kit from Ames Performance. The system contains two heavy-duty, direct drive motors and brackets which mount to the factory original actuator plates; solid-state electronic control boxes; necessary wiring and detailed instructions. Components are weather resistant. The kit will not fit cars equipped with air conditioning. The company notes the concealed headlight doors will open in three seconds once this system is installed. 

Ames Performance, (800) 421-2637, www.amesperf.com

Auto body fillers

Eastwood has launched a new line of auto body fillers formulated to achieve a smooth, glass-like finish prior to painting. The Contour line consists of a Premium Body Filler, Aluminum Repair Compound, Lightweight Body Filler, Polyester Glazing Putty, and Sprayable Polyester Primer-Surfacer. The premium body filler is self-etching, and contains rust inhibitors to prevent corrosion. It is easy to spread and sand, even when feathering edges, and is an all-in-one filler. The aluminum repair compound is for repairs to factory-leaded seams, and those areas prone to moisture, and also contains rust inhibitors. The lightweight body filler is designed for smooth spreading and easy sanding, with a pinhole free surface. It adheres to all metals, as well as wood and fiberglass. The glazing putty is formulated to fill pinholes and sanding scratches, can be spread easily, and mixes with other body fillers. The primer-surfacer is a two-component, sprayable body filler that adheres to steel, aluminum, fiberglass, self-etching primers and other body fillers.

Eastwood, (800) 343-9353, www.eastwood.com

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Top end engine kits

Finish off the engine build of your small-block Chevy, big-block Chevy or small-block Ford with a top end kit from Dart Machinery. The kits (small-block Chevy shown) contain fully assembled cylinder heads, fabricated aluminum valve covers, intake manifold matched to the cylinder heads, spark plugs and ARP head bolts. Consumers can select intake port volume, combustion chamber volume and single or dual valve springs.

Dart Machinery

(248) 362-1188

www.dartheads.com

Piston ring compressors

Automotive Racing Products expands its line of tapered ring compressors with the addition of 18 new bore sizes, bringing the total available to 119. The pieces are CNC-machined from 6061 T-6 billet material, producing a true radius for each individual bore size. They compress the piston rings as the piston is pushed into the cylinder. The ring compressors also feature an O-ring relief, are anodized for durability, with the bore size engraved in ¾-inch tall numbers for easy identification.

ARP

(800) 826-3045

www.arp-bolts.com 

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Polished water pump

Improve the appearance of the engine bay on your flathead V-8 Ford while simultaneously improving cooling when you install this polished aluminum water pump from Speedway Motors. Outside, you’ll find a mirror-like finish. Inside, there are heavy-duty roller and ball bearings, ceramic seals, and modular impellers for maximum flow. Impeller shafts are ¾-inch in diameter for durability. These pumps accept

5/8-inch wide fan belts, and fit 1949-’53 engines.

Speedway Motors

(800) 979-0122

www.speedwaymotors.com

Protective spark plug boots

Prevent the heat from the engine block, exhaust manifolds or headers from damaging your spark plug boots by using Titanium Protect-A-Boots from Design Engineering, Inc. Made from pulverized lava rock material that has been extruded into fibers and then tightly woven, they can withstand direct heat up to 1,800 degrees F, and radiant heat up to 2,800 degrees F, thereby helping to protect the vehicle’s ignition system from arcing, misfires or complete failure due to heat. The boots also provide resistance to chemicals, contaminants and abrasions.

Design Engineering

(800) 264-9472

www.designengineering.com

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LS clutch sets

Ram Clutches has introduced three new 12-inch clutch sets for GM LS-powered vehicles, including the new Camaro through 2011. The new sets include a pressure plate and clutch plate, and are available for three power levels: HD (torque up to 550 lbs-ft), Powergrip (up to 650 lbs-ft) and Powergrip HD (up to 750 lbs-ft). Friction linings are either organic or metallic, or a combination of both, depending on which version is chosen. The assembly fits directly to the factory 11½-inch clutch with flat flywheel. On 2005 and newer applications with a recessed flywheel, Ram provides a replacement flat flywheel made from either aluminum or steel.

Ram Clutches

(803) 788-6034

www.ramclutches.com

Digital pressure gauge

Get an accurate reading on your tire pressure with this digital gauge, available from Proform/Specialty Auto Parts. It measures from 0 to 100 psi in increments of .01 psi, features an LCD screen, automatic off setting, dual air bleed buttons and can measure in psi, bars or kg/cm2. It has two modes: Normal and Peak. Normal counts back to zero once the gauge is removed from the valve stem on the tire, while peak displays the pressure even after the gauge has been removed.

Proform/Specialty Auto Parts

(586) 774-2500

www.proformparts.com

Independent front suspension

Heidts Automotive Group has expanded its line of Superide II independent front suspension systems to now include 1957 to 1964 Ford pickup trucks. Utilizing the company’s Mustang II-style dropped spindle, the assembly uses a front steer mounted rack and pinion unit, heavy-duty upper control arms with threaded adjusters and a single-piece main cross member. All necessary mounting hardware and detailed instructions are included. The company also sells systems for 1953 to 1959 Chevrolet trucks.

Heidts, (800) 841-8188, www.heidts.com

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Stromberg linkage kits

Stromberg expands its TwoStep product line with the addition of four kits for early Ford four-cylinder engines. All kits feature die-cast zinc Super Link lever arms, with other parts made from stainless steel. The “Snapback” throttle return springs (made from chemically blacked stainless steel) wrap around the end of the throttle shaft and close the carburetors. Tapered rod stops with set screw fittings allow for minute adjustments. Linkages are available for the popular Scalded Dog Equalizer and Riley Two Port intake manifolds (which set the carbs five inches apart, as seen here), as well as the Burns, Zephyr and Roof 101 Cyclone intakes (which are spaced 9 5/8-inches apart).

Stromberg

www.stromberg-97.com

Lincoln door seals

Keep out wind noise, moisture and reduce rattles on your 1966-’69 Lincoln Continental four-door sedan with a set of new door seals from Steele Rubber. Designed using original parts to ensure proper fitment, the seals are made from heat- and ozone-resistant rubber compounds. Sold in pairs for each set of doors, they also fit 1966-’67 Lincoln convertibles, and are backed by a money-back guarantee.

Steele Rubber

(704) 483-9343

www.steelerubber.comAxle bearing retainers

Replace missing or damaged bearings in the rear axle of your 1956-’62 Corvette with this kit from Corvette Central. The kit includes two rear axle bearing retainers, two rear end outer axle housing gaskets, Grade 5 retaining bolts, lock washers and hex nuts.

Corvette Central

(800) 345-4122

www.corvettecentral.com