Actually, there will NEVER be a day I intentionally put a GM part on my Imperial or any Chrysler product. I've got restorers in my family who work on vehicles much more obscure and rare than my 68 Imperials or any late 50's or early 60's who would never install a non-original style part. It's one thing to modify something to make it work, especially if it's a part completely out of sight. But to me, seeing that GM alternator or GM anything under the hood screams "Gow Job" to me. The older members of the list will understand what I'm referring to. If anyone recommends non-original parts, then they hardly have any enthusiasm for restoration, I'd think. If you want to build a street rod, build a street rod. Just don't claim you "restored" it. What you have actually done is modified the car, making it something other than what it was from the factory. I prefer to keep my Mopars, especially my Imperials, All Mopar. That way I don't kill the value with non-original modifications. Also, I just feel they are more reliable that way. If I had wanted a GM, I'd have bought one, but 25 years of fixing them for others, was enough for me. Phil PS: By the way, shouldn't this kind of modification be considered off-topic for this list? ----- Original Message ----- From: <Crown58imp@xxxxxxx> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, December 17, 2002 5:41 PM Subject: Re: IML:why gm anything? this isn't a gm list! was gm alternator > Though I hope that I can keep my '58 totally Mopar, I see a bleak future for > Mopar repros. That's why most catalogs that deal with early Hemi parts sell > mostly conversion kits to use GM components. As sickening as that sounds, in > the future when you can no longer get Mopar water pumps, power steering > pumps, pulleys, and other miscellaneous you'll have two choices. You can put > your Imperials out to pasture or you can buy some of these conversion kits > and keep them running. Right now you can't even find a correct carburator for > a 392 Hemi without driving yourself nuts. The same goes for an AC compressor. > Unfortunately, the new owners of Mopar have enthusiasm for retro-styling, but > none for restoration of their own products. On the other hand, GM and Ford > both manufacture factory-built reproduction parts for people who restore > their products. As much as it may sicken you sir, there will come a time when > you will have to buy a GM alternator, GM p/s pump, GM a/c compressor, and GM > water pump to keep your Imperial on the road. > > Doug > 58 Crown coupe > >