Recycling old parts removed from a project

[carbuff]

I'm curious what everyone else out there does with parts that they remove from their projects as they update them? The obvious answer is to try and sell the old parts to get a few $$$ back from them, but in a lot of cases, many parts just have no value.

For example, I have a pile of parts that I have removed that I put on CL and am not getting any interest in. So I'd like to just get them out of the garage. Parts like an old driveshaft, headers, radiator, hood hinges, AC condensor, the engine-side AC box, the under-dash evaporator box, etc...

My guess is that I just need to find a local metal recycling center and take the parts to them. Is that what the rest of you do? Or do the old parts just end up in a pile in the garage or a trash can?

[MrQuick]

I just pile it up in my storage unit....all I need is a frame and I can almost build another car.

What do you have? how about a full list?

[Nessumsar]

You could always recycle it back into the community.


What do you have? how about a full list?

[SLO_Z28]

Id be very surprised if you couldn't sell your parts on nastyZ28.com if its the camaro parts or transamcountry.com if its the firebird.

[Northeast Rod Run]

When I get a good collection of parts going, I usually sell them at a swap meet. The problem with that is, I usually spend more at the swap meet than I end up making

[Restomod]

Pile all the steel in a junk car and when you cant fit anymore in it haul it to the scrapper and $$$ in!!!! Copper and aluminum and cats are $$$$$ to..............

[68Formula]

Someone started a pay-it-forward in the for sale section on one of the Pontiac forums. Members offer up parts for free as long as the buyer pays shipping. So far it seems to work well.

[srh3trinity]

I was gonna suggest a pay it forward thing. A wakeboard forum I am part of does it and people will give away/sale old gear for the cost of shipping. You can then in turn ask for something else another poster has put up. Offer something, get something kind of thing.

[justasquid]

Ive had the best luck selling items in a lot, such as on Ebay. A lot of people are looking for that one part, and sometimes will buy your whole lot just to get it.

I've found its the best way to unload a buch of items that otherwise don't have much value on their own.

Also, quite a few people out there who will buy lot items and just store them in their own collections of stuff.

[class67]

Craigslist always works for me, I just pulled my Air Gap off this afternoon and it's already gone!

[carbuff]

Perhaps I should have been a bit more specific...

I have a lot of parts that would be hard to ship or really not worth any money. For example, I pulled off a pair of air shocks from the car a couple of days ago that may well have been on the car since the early 70's. They are trashed, but I don't want to throw them in the trash can. I'll be removing the leaf springs before long, and they are in the same shape. I have an AC compressor that appears to be locked up, so it's probably not worth anything. An original driveshaft doesn't really seem worth shipping. Same with the original gas tank.

I would happily give a lot of this stuff away to someone local if they were to want or need it. But it seems that Austin doesn't have a lot of musclecar activity unfortunately.

I will look for the pay-it-forward threads.

[MonzaRacer]

Whoa, wait you have trashed ,worn out way old shocks and dont want to trash them? Are you kidding me? recycler time, old leafs if in good shape should be movable but if worn out or sagging recycle them.
Now driveshafts I always give either to local car clubs if they will take them, or store them properly so they wont rust or call local driveshaft company(talk to truck shops as they are frequenting them most) some will buy popular stuff and some will keep several of specific sizes to sell to people who damage or drop theirs and cant afford new ones.
Used t obe Icould have new shaft done for less than $150, good heavy DOM tubing, new ends and such but that shop was too good and went out.
AC compressors are either recyclers fodder or save for a core. if its locked up its junk or a core. Recycle it.
Come on, why feel bad about recycling worn out or junk parts?

[T_Raven]

I throw worthless stuff in the crush pile at my local salvage yard. When I was in Idaho Falls I took stuff to the steel recycling yard next to the dealership I worked for, they paid $0.03/lb for scrap iron at the time so I'd usually get a few bucks for whatever junk I had.

[Restomod]

Re-read my first post, all this stuff thrown in a already junk car body will bring .10 per pound (here anyway). Aluminum is .60 (+ or - some). I just hauled a 02 Regal GS shell packed full......cleared $200 after fuel..........not bad for 2 hours easy work.

[brans72]

take to scrape yard and get a little $$$ to put back in the car easy as that!

[moreHP]

Do you have a local automotive swap meet at anytime during the year? I guess we are very lucky in socal to have the pomona swap meet several times a year. When I finally have had enough of my spare parts, I load up a truck load and go there to sell. I have had fantastic luck selling off the old parts. I hate throwing stuff out or recycling them because I always feel that somebody somewhere may need the stuff for a restoration or a wreck repair and I would hate to see them go to waste. I like the pay it forward idea, I have had several parts and pieces given to me over the years and would be happy to help somebody the same way.

[billyrb]

I try to sell my stuff on craigslist and appropriately related forums when I can. If it's something that doesn't sell, I usually list it for a few bucks to cover packing materials. But in many cases, I will send to someone for the cost of shipping if it's a vehicle-specific part that isn't produced anywhere. Heavy stuff like frames, springs, etc., if they don't sell will go to the recycler to recoup a few bucks. I don't believe in throwing the parts into a landfill though, especially if they can be sold, given or recycled.