Where do you go to get parts today for anything that's 25 years old or more? I know 25 years doesn't sound like it was too long ago, but tell that to the kid at the parts store counter who hasn't had that many candles on his birthday cake when he says, "It's not in the computer," or the famous, "Year, make, and model again, please." Even I have fond memories of being able to march into the Ace Auto Parts where I grew up to ask for a set of head gaskets for a '56 Cadillac 365 motor I was putting in my '50 Ford, or wandering back into the "dungeon" of the same store that held all the really old stuff that fell off the books that dated from 20 years ago and finding an N.O.S. '32-36 Ford V-8 in-head water pump. Sadly, most of these gems that were institutions for many are gone or have been bought out and "updated" while all the old "junk" was thrown out, but there is one place that's doing a good job of keeping all those "outdated" parts in stock.
Even though Egge Obsolete Engine Parts has a computer, you won't get the same response you'll get from the pimply faced kid at the big chain stores. Egge has been around for nine solid decades and knows vintage parts. E.N. Egge opened a machine shop in Plainview, Texas, in 1915 when there was no aftermarket, so things, especially pistons, were made when they couldn't get them, which led to more and more in-house manufacturing. In the '20s he moved the shop to the budding city of Los Angeles and kept building the reputation of where to get hard-to-find parts that continues today.
Some 30 years ago, Egge moved to its present location in Santa Fe Springs, California, just outside of L.A. at 11707 Slauson Ave., where they make most of the new parts they sell to complement their huge selection of N.O.S. engine parts that came from years of buying unwanted inventories and going out of business sales. Now under third-generation Egge care, the business is thriving, plus there has been a resurgence of vintage powerplants in hot rods in recent years that has trickled into the custom car and truck world and helped them keep their catalog full, as well as adding "new" products from brands like Offenhauser, Thickstun, Tattersfield, Baron, SCAT, Sharp, Fenton, Wayne, Pertronix, Isky, Trans-Dapt, and more. In addition to selling parts, Egge also specializes in Babbitt work and offers align bore services, cam and lifter regrinding, lifter resurfacing, water pump remanufacturing, and technical data/engine identification help. Check out the Ask Bob section on their Web site. During the summer, Egge's showroom is open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in addition to their regular M-F hours. Get those solid lifters moving and log onto www.egge.com or call 866-996-EGGE for the latest in vintage parts!
From the inviting storefront...
From the inviting storefront to the friendly staff that awaits your arrival, the few hundred square feet of showroom at Egge Obsolete Engine Parts is just the tip of the iceberg of what goes on here.
After a couple of minutes...
After a couple of minutes of examining your surroundings, it's apparent you're in the right spot for anything with an engine that's 25 to 100 years old! On the walls there are some great displays. These show a couple of the more popular kits Egge sells-Ford Flathead and Chevy inline sixes.
Speaking of Flatheads, here's...
Speaking of Flatheads, here's a nice collection of parts like the Baron High-Flow heads, Edelbrock Super Dual intake, not to mention all the internal parts they stock, including tons of N.O.S. items.
Those who like Ford water...
Those who like Ford water heaters are probably drooling at the sight of this new Tattersfield-Baron four-carb high-rise intake, and if that wasn't enough, how 'bout the matching cast aluminum four-carb fuel log! Makes me miss the sound of an old Ford starter...
I don't even have anything...
I don't even have anything this would fit on right now, but I wanted a couple of these Thickstun finned clamshell air cleaners!
Ever wonder what the inside...
Ever wonder what the inside of a Ford Flathead six looked like while it was all together? Even if you haven't, this old cut-away presumably dealer or trade show piece gets your attention. There were windows in everything from the oil-bath air cleaner to the fuel pump to the transmission and every conceivable nook and cranny in between.