Topic: What exactly does NOS mean?

[priceless]

On other forums I've seen some people refer to NOS as service replacement parts and also, I've seen people refer to NOS as dealer take offs that are defective,,,,LOL...Wow, that floors me...Anyone care to chime in??

[CharlesTurner]

As I wrote on the MCA forums, all Ford parts sold through a Ford dealer are Service Replacement Parts.  Whether or not they are the same as factory line parts, in detail and quality, is a crap-shoot.

Some call "NOS" parts those that are exactly like factory line parts.  Although, the majority of folks selling parts call anything in a Ford box "NOS."  Personally, I don't think it really matters what they're called.  It's up to owners to figure out if they're right or not.

[Sunlitgold68]

You'll find some "NOS" parts made by Ford for use on a vintage mustang that were made as late as the late 90's, perhaps even 10 years ago. Even though I consider these "NOS", they don't have the same charm and look as finding a Ford part in the box from say 1967 or 68 with a yellowed out label to be shipped to a Ford Dealership. I've found that the earlier the "NOS" part the better.

"NOS" does not mean the part is perfect either, some parts will develop shelf and handling wear over the years.

[J_Speegle]

Consider that any (should have written some) NOS parts that is currently in the box is there for a reason - the possible reason that there was something wrong with it. Example - if a part showed up at the assembly line (or the distribution center where they took the parts from the rail cars) guys that have worked their have told us that if the part had damage it was sent to the dealerships to be used as replacement parts.  Second possibility of why the part is still in the box is that someone (let say in the 70-90's) looked at the part and discovering it had damage, shelf wear or another defect was returned  to the shelf to wait for a less picky buyer.

Recall going through dozens of gauge bezels and bumpers in the 70's - 80's just to find one good one of each- handing the service desk back each, one after another, until we found a nice one.

Last example - purchased a NOS alternator case two years ago - real neat with nice 65 dates  stamped on the car. Reason it was still NOS in the box - - it was egged shape (oval) rather than round    Oh well it hangs on the wall

[T Lea]

NOS means whatever seller wants it to mean. I took a box of NOS BF 32s off the shelf last week (not sure who I bought them from) Went to install them in motor and noticed they were used plugs someone put back in boxes. Like Charles said, its up to buyer to discern what is right or wrong.

[ruppstang]

I bought 67-68 NOS back up light gaskets and they were black. Service replacements, Ford did not care about correctness they would work. Won't fly at a MCA show.

[PerkinsRestoration]

Consider that any NOS part that is currently in the box there for a reason - the possible reason that there was something wrong with it. Example - if a part showed up at the assembly line (or the distribution center where they took the parts from the rail cars) guys that have worked their have told us that if the part had damage it was sent to the dealerships to be used as replacement parts.  Second possibility of why the part is still in the box is that someone (let say in the 70-90's) looked at the part and discovering it had damage, shelf wear or another defect was returned  to the shelf to wait for a less picky buyer.



Recall going through dozens of gauge bezels and bumpers in the 70's - 80's just to find one good one of each- handing the service desk back each, one after another, until we found a nice one.

Last example - purchased a NOS alternator case two years ago - real neat with nice 65 dates  stamped on the car. Reason it was still NOS in the box - - it was egged shape (oval) rather than round    Oh well it hangs on the wall
[/quote



 This post is total BS. Real NOS parts that are old enough to be in FoMoCo or Autolite Box's are the same parts as the assembly line parts. Just like assembly line paint, some cars have better paint and better chrome than others. There was no conspiracy to grade the parts for service VS assembly line. It was easier & cheaper to scrap a bad item than re box it. Shelf wear, used or damaged parts put back in original packaging was a result of the dealer not Ford parts division. If you wanted 10 perfect gas tanks with no dents in 1980 you called National and request special handling and they come in paper wrapping in a huge box on a pallet. If you didn't they put a shipping label on the tank on slid it across the shipping dock and it attived at the Dealer beat up. Wasn't a bad part till shipped. The later service parts from the 80's & 90's were just that retooled service parts. If you consider later service parts like tie rods with grease fittings NOS then there is room to complain,but old stock serviced in the same decade as the vehicle are generally assembly line correct. Sometimes better than what came on the car due to better packaging from vender. Example, mufflers! If it's dated correct it's the same part as the assembly line part less the dents. If you wanted Autolite plugs with the star you needed to order before 1968 or you had to ask for special handling or you would get the current stock. Not fair to bad mouth all NOS parts like some like to do. I have no personal agenda influencing my response!
 

 

[priceless]

THANK YOU SO MUCH, BOB PERKINS. I knew if ANYONE knew, it would be you. You've been around this and studied this, that I know of, 30-35 years. And I have consulted you many,many times over the past 23 years, and always felt you were true and honest to me because of your knowledge. I'd like for you to go to the MCA website, and state your reason there too, if you would. I'm tired of being confused or lead the wrong way by some on there that think they know everything,,,,,,SORRY, guys, but, when I think I'm in the right, I will say whats on my mind,,,,AGAIN, Thanks Bob Perkins.

I made a donation to this website recently and will continue to support it, but, sometimes,it doesn't matter if I know that I'm right in what I say,,,,for some reason I get the feeling that these people consider me wrong.

I will not make another comment to this post.

[CharlesTurner]

I've heard that any blem or unusable parts at the assembly plant were thrown in the trash and not re-used for service.  I definitely agree with Bob that most of the parts in the older boxes are usually assembly-line correct.  Most of these parts are gone now, so we have to contend with all the variations of later replacements.  The most notoriously incorrect service parts are usually electrical components and sheet metal.  Wiring colors and details are all over the place on Ford service replacements.  I'm sure Bob would agree that even old red-oxide service replacement sheet metal doesn't always fit and appear as assembly line parts.  Date codes could be different format, old part numbers used on newer versions of tooling, etc...

I'm not sure exactly what you wanted to hear Richie.  We all can learn something from each others experiences.  There's no magic book that tells us everything we need to know.

[PerkinsRestoration]

Well stated Charles. I think we need to also remember that the parts and the workmanship on the cars when new was very good, but not perfect.

[Sunlitgold68]

Just remember that NOS does not mean perfect and the earlier the NOS part was made the better.

[J_Speegle]

This post is total BS. Real NOS parts that are old enough to be in FoMoCo or Autolite Box's are the same parts as the assembly line parts. Just like assembly line paint, some cars have better paint and better chrome than others. There was no conspiracy to grade the parts for service VS assembly line. .............

Never suggested a "conspiracy" only passing on what has been said by people who were there at the time these cars were assembled rather than opinions of those who were not Believe Scott was mostly (if not completely) describing the practice applying mostly - if not completely to sheetmetal parts

Honestly I used the term "any" in my first sentence (could easily go back an edit my post but I will not) when I should have used "some" or even "many". Maybe the wrong of the day to write a post, an error by not proof reading it before I pressed the button to post or some other reason but it was a poor choice of words.  Agreed. It was not my attempt to include all - parts in what I was describing

As for REAL NOS parts - that of course is your definition and that of many though not all of the general hobby as we have seen over the years. Not bashing all NOS  parts - just showing a concern for some that are described as such as almost everyone  has done (including your response) in this tread.

Bottom line (I think) is that there is no universally accepted definition for "NOS parts" unfortunately making this a never ending discussion (on that point) for many years to come unless someone can find a way to get everyone to accept one definition

[PerkinsRestoration]

Never suggested a "conspiracy" only passing on what has been said by people who were there at the time these cars were assembled rather than opinions of those who were not Believe Scott was mostly (if not completely) describing the practice applying mostly - if not completely to sheetmetal parts
]

Jeff, not sure who Scott is but my favorite source is Jim Bienek former plant manager At Ford's National parts depot in Livonia Michigan. Jim is a 35 year Ford man who worked at Dearborn Assy for two years after graduating from Henry Ford Community College before his career in Ford Parts and Service Division. According to Jim the sheet metal from the stamping plant was either sent to the assembly plants unpainted or to the Brownstown Depot (the largest Warehouse in the world at the time) where it was painted, packaged and labeled before it was sent to the various parts depots. All service sheetmetal went thru the Brownstown depot according to Jim.  Service sheetmetal and assy plant sheet metal was stamped at the same facilities , same line, same quality control spot checks, shipped using the same 6X9 shipping racks going to Brownstown or the Assembly plant. The thought of damaged or rejected assy plant sheet metal being sent to Browntown to be later used as service parts is humorous. I met Jim in the late 70's when I picked up 10 gas tanks at National we requested special handling thru my dealer Hornburg Ford. Jim also helped me locate the NOS 69 dated mufflers for my Boss 302. The mufflers were on a ship from a dealer in Hawaii to the San Francisco depot for obsolescence return (to be Scraped). They were sent to me in burlap wrap at no charge! Jim has great knowledge regarding assy line procedure and Ford Parts as his credentials would suggest. Currently we are restoring KK1622 Jim has owned since 1972.

[J_Speegle]

Jeff, not sure who Scott is ..........

The Scott I was referring to (didn't want to name drop) is Scott McNair (also talked to John  Ellis today who recalled similar practices  68-75 when he worked at the distribution spot)  No managers in the group just guys that worked unloading, loading and directing the loads as they came off the rail cars here in Calif from my understanding. Always found Scott to be a straight forward guy with solid information and recall.

[shelbyboss302]

Interesting thread. My best friends Dad worked at Woodstock Ford mega warehouse here in Southern Ontario in the 60's, 70's and part of the 80's. He said that any part that was bent, broke or moderately damaged was automatically scrapped. Before it went into a big scrap bin they had a hole punch stamp tool and the employees had to stamp every part to make sure it would never come back for warranty. He told us that 1000's and 1000's of moldings, trim pieces, panels, trim rings ect went in the bin, some of which had no damage and deemed obsolete. He told us that he bought a new 1970 Maverick and wanted to put a Mustang shaker on it and brought home 5 damaged shaker assembly's to make up a complete one. Some had the spacers cracked, some had the scoop part broken but all had perfect seals but because they were damaged they were heading for the scrap bin. He never did put the scoop on the Maverick and before he passed away he gave me all the damaged assemblies which are still in my basement today. I personally feel that one must educate himself when purchasing NOS parts and ask a lot of questions. There is nothing worse than Motorcraft parts arriving in an Autolite Box! Correct undamaged NOS parts bring a premium price.

                                                     Shelby