Primer On Idler Arms

[Joe L.]

As some of you may know, the idler arm used for 1963-1981 Corvettes was GM #3779184. This piece carried the forging number "3779185" on the arm section. So, when some folks see this number on an NOS idler arm, they salivate at the prospect of acquiring an elusive NOS, original idler arm for their car. The problem is that the Corvette idler arm PART number described above was NOT the only idler arm which used the "3779185" arm forging. Some 1963 Chevrolet series 10 trucks also used an idler arm that used this same component with the same forging number. The finished piece was GM #3817956, though, and the truck part is ABSOLUTELY NOT interchangeable with the Corvette part. Unfortunately, the part numbers for the finished pieces appear nowhere on the idler arm assembly unless the original GM parts tag happens to still be in place. Usually, they're not.

So how does one tell the difference? It's simple. The Corvette idler arm assempbly has a frame bracket section with a single offset. The truck piece has a bracket section with DOUBLE offsets. They can be told apart at a glance.

[Terry F.]

Re: Primer On Idler Arms

There is a truck one like you descibed on ebay being sold as for corvette. Has the double offsett. Interesting, I would have never known that. The auction talks about the number cast into the arm alot. Thanks for the info. Terry

[Tracy C.]

I'll bet a dollar to a dog turd that Joe has

seen this one on eBay as well...

He looks out for us all, even when we aren't asking.

Thanks Joe...
tc

[Joe L.]

Re: Primer On Idler Arms

tracy-----

There's been at least TWO of these things on eBay over the past few weeks and several previous to that. I thought that both of the recent ones had closed, with only one being sold. So, maybe the unsold one has been re-listed.

I really don't think that this is a case of sellers trying to put anything over. I think that they're just "un-educated" on this whole issue. I did e-mail one of them about the error, but he didn't close the auction. I was trying to save him and the buyer some shipping costs, to and fro. But, maybe the buyer won't figure it out until he tries to install it on the car 6 months from now. By then, he'll be "stuck with it". Then, maybe he'll list it on eBay to see if he can coax another neophyte into bidding on it.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

By the way, I purchased one of these bogus Corvette pieces on eBay several months ago. Is that how I learned this lesson? Not at all. I've known this for years. You see, the seller was advertising the idler arm as the Corvette piece but, in the back of the picture were 2 NOS tie rod ends that the seller was "throwing in for free". Those NOS tie rod ends WERE Corvette pieces! Yes, indeed, they were TWO GM #3826596, the 63-82 Corvette left hand thread tie rod ends-------discontinued EONS ago and VERY, VERY difficult to locate. I already had several lifetime's supply, of course, but I couldn't resist the temptation to "****** up" a few more in a deal like this. So, I paid too much for the idler arm, but I got the tie rod ends VERY, VERY cheap [NONE for sale].

[G B.]

Why?

Well Joe, I have to ask.

You've already got "several lifetime's supply", you've made it crystal clear you will not resell them, but you couldn't resist the temptation to "snap them up". Maybe I should just be happy for you, but I wonder why you wouldn't rather see them go on a car.

I do appreciate the information you provide others. It's been a big help to the hobby and to me personally. You must spend an incredible amount of time doing research for others. But you buy rare car parts that you then claim you already have and don't need. You even come on the board to remind us you have them, don't expect to need them, but they're not for sale. Why?

I could be completely missing the big picture. Perhaps you're going to open a local museum or put on a special display at Carlisle. Or maybe you don't sell parts, but you do give them away at some point.

Come to think of it, it's a moot point. All of our Corvette stuff will eventually be "passed on" to others whether we like it or not. I think my wife and daughter have already selected a plot at the landfill for my treasures.

[mike cobine]

Or even worse

My wife has plans to call someone to haul all this junk away, including the car if it is still apart, and will probably pay them $50 or $100 for their trouble. Several "friends" have told me to be very careful not to pass away without notice so they can be first in line to volunteer for "trash duty".

[Joe L.]

Re: Why?

Jerry-----

Well, each of us have to have our little "idiosynchrasies" and obsessions. This parts "thing" is mine (or, ONE of mine). Like I've said before, I want to see to it that some of the NOS parts are preserved AS NOS PARTS. The only way that can happen is if they ARE NOT used on a car. Once they are installed on a car, then they become USED parts. I've taken steps to ensure that the parts will be maintained as NOS parts after my demise. Of course, there's no way to guarantee it in perpetuity, but there's really no way to guarantee ANYTHING in perpetuity.

As far as "hoarding" goes, I don't see it that way. Some folks collect LOTS of things FAR in excess of their "needs". Some folks, for example, collect Corvettes in numbers which are far excess to their "needs", including MULTIPLE copies of the same thing. For instance, there was a fellow at Carlisle this year that owns about 7 (or more) 1953 Corvettes. All 53s are just about the same (just like the multiples of many NOS pieces that I have). So, what does he want with 7? Some might say that he's "depriving" 6 other people of the "joy" of owning a 1953 Corvette. But, I wouldn't say that.

There's not a Corvette that exists that will become inoperable for lack of an NOS piece that I have. There MAY be some that would be BETTER for having such pieces, but there are NONE that will be inoperable. Other alternatives exist to keep them on the road.

[Verle R.]

Re: Why?

Joe,

We suffer from the same thing; "packrat syndrome"

I don't know what my survivors will do with all my "stuff".
Most of it is valuable to me, some would be valuable to you and some of value to no one else.

If I'm not around to tell them the difference there may be some real bargains available.

Keep on collecting Joe and good for ya!

Verle

[Duke W.]

Re: Why?

Joe-

Being as how I an in the process of completing an estate plan (that I wrote myself with everything divided equally to create permanent endowments at the three universities that granted me degrees), I'm curious as to how to plan to preserve the collection.

My successor trustees/executors/personal representatives have instructions to liquidate all my property including any vintage automobiles and their associated new and used parts and documentation. They are also instructed to ensure that all vintage cars and other collectibles are marketed so as to maximize their cash yield that will ultimately be distributed to the beneficiaries.

As a single guy with no direct heirs or other living extended family members (at least that I care to associate with) I thought long and hard about this. I believe your status is similar if not the same as mine.

Duke

[mike cobine]

Estate planning

Somewhere you will name an executor to handle your estate. Now this person will have responsibility to dispose of everything and to handle the financial arrangements. But I would suppose it possible to include that the executor turn over all car parts to another named person as that person would be the "expert" and thus be able to maximize the return.

And that would give a check and balance system in that the car guy could max the prices, but the executor could check up to be sure he didn't just keep them himself.

For the expert, I suggest you get to know a few knowledgable people much younger than you who share your love of the cars and the knoweldge of their worth. And of course, honest.

When it comes to having others take care of things after you are gone, you really need a Boy Scout to keep from being picked clean.

[Craig S.]

Re: Why?

Verle - I have this same pack rat syndrome. My wife threatens to have all my "treasures" hauled off when I am not looking. I had to migrate away from storing room decorations such as steering columns in the living room any longer, she reached her limit. At one point she suggested we just move into the garage and use the house for working on cars. Boy, is she sorry she said that, LOL. Seriously, she puts up with a lot of crap from my vette hobby, she is a gem.......Craig

[Mark Milner]

this should be required reading

for anyone who is thinking about dating, becasue we all know where that leads.

[Joe L.]

Re: Why?

Duke-----

Yes, my personal status is similar to yours. However, although my immediate and extended family is relatively small, we have a fine relationship. A "family trust" will be established for my 1969 and parts collection. The remainder of my assets will, in part, support the maintenence of same.

[Clem Z.]

joe if you work it right you will

run out of breath and money the same day. thats my plan but mrs clem has other plans for me.