Tips to Searching in a Salvage Yard

Before you'll ever get to the junkyard, it's a good idea to know what you're looking for. And when I say know what you're looking for, know the casting numbers or part numbers. In this case you know, we can come in here. We can see right away. This is a wide Block Head.

But we don't know anything about it unless we've already deciphered the casting number. Likewise, if it's a 351-Windsor Head. You know, we could tell that this was all Ford Heads by the writing on the outside window. But don't be fooled by that. Just a quick scan in here.

This is a Chrysler Hemi Head. And it's probably mid 1950s. And what that's doing in a Ford Head bus? It's because some guys probably grabbed it. Said they needed that head.

And what's the best place to stash a Hemi Head? Then in a bus marked Ford Heads. So car guys aren't always honest. What they'll do is they'll stash parts in other places of the yard. It's a good idea if you got the time, look around you'll be surprised with some of the gems you'll find.

It's sort of unwritten rule in a junkyard not to borrow ratchet tools or ask other people to borrow theirs. Share it with some guys working in the car right alongside the one you're working on. You might want to borrow any tool. But if somebody's working on the other side of the yard, you'd may never see your wrenches back again. So bring the tools you need.

If you can't get the job done, just plan on coming back another day. When you're headed to the yard, always bring a friend. If you get run into trouble, your friend will be there to help you out. If you need to run back to the car to get that socket, or that wrench or that pry bar you forgot, they can do that or you can do it while they watch your tools. Now you won't have to bring everything back and forth.

And you'll enjoy the trip a lot better if you share it with somebody. Vintage aftermarket and performance parts can really bring top dollar even if it's your car that you don't have. Just know what parts you're looking for and know the value. And it comes to almost any car you'll look at in the yard. Whether it be a DeSoto or a Buick.

Some cars have some parts that really are desirable or rare to find. Knowing which parts to look for can make you a few dollars when you leave the yard. And finally, whenever it's possible you want to test electrical components in the yard. Things like power window motors are notorious for going out. And if you can't test them, odds are you're going to buy one and bring it home and find out it doesn't work too.

Most yards won't let you bring a big and full-sized 12 volt battery into the yard. They don't want the liability of having battery asset and that stuff. Presenting hazard. So, with the advent of Lithium-ion power packs, I can now in a small package bring 12 volts of power right into the yard. Test things and know that they work before I even take them out of the car.