Used Cap and Rotor?

[TomO]

Has anyone ever put a used cap and rotor set on their car? After a recent trip to the bone yard, I saw several 5.0 cap and rotor sets that looked almost new. I don't know what the yard would charge for something like this, but assuming it's cheap, would it be advisable to put something like that on your car or is it better just to go ahead and pay the $35 for a new set?

If you buy new, what are some good, dependable brands and what are brands to stay away from?

Thanks.

[jaywish]

Often folks who are having engine trouble decide it is time for basic maint. There is nothing wrong with used, just make sure the contacts are in excellent condition. The yards probably do not sell many caps and rotors so they should be cheap. Maybe they threw on new wires to?

Jay

[miamibob]

If you REALLY have to use "used" then go ahead. However I'd only go new as it is probably false economy to go used.

[hypostang]

I have used "used" parts from the junkyard before and had good luck . My F150 has 280k on it and it has a complete tune up that I got from the yard except the PCV I got new

[johnunit]

As long as there wasn't obvious pitting or a coat of corrosion on either, I'd be ok with it. I had a misfire last summer that I totally fixed by scraping the corrosion off the pickups for each plug inside the distributor.

[1990LTD]

It should work just fine. At the very least, switching out the rotor/cap with ones that you suspected as being bad could verify that.


Make sure the contacts are good and not worn out. You could clean them up as well.

[turbo2256b]

Buy a MSD cap or othere with brass contacts and clean the contacts when doing a tune up. Should last for possibly 100K or more. Aluminum contacts pit badly over time. Center carbom in a MSD cap can go bad but are replaceable in the larg cap there like 9.00.

[gadget73]

I've done it. No harm if its in good shape. I like the brass ones particularly, because you can clean them like Dave said.