Well, I've got some more examples of foolish parts shopping (on eBay, of course). Here they are:
item #4563701394
This is a GM big block waterpump of casting #3975928 and GM part #3977630. Some buyer paid $438.00 for it (with other bidders not far behind). This pump was discontinued in 1983. So, what' wrong with this deal for a part discontinued 22 years ago? Well, here's what's wrong:
1) this waterpump was never used on any PRODUCTION engine (regardless of what some folks might think). It was used only on some SERVICE engines and sold seperately in SERVICE. It "arrived on the scene" too late to have been used on any PRODUCTION ZL-1 engines for which it was "destined". So, the piece could not be required by anyone for "originality" or "restoration" reasons;
2) although GM #3977630 was discontinued in 1983, it was replaced by GM #14058915. GM #14058915 is EXACTLY the same waterpump, with the exact same casting number, and the exact same other markings. The pump contained in the box labeled 3977630 is EXACTLY the same as the one contained in the box labeled 14058915. What's the reason for the difference in the part numbers? Well, I think it's because 2 waterpump gaskets were added to the box labeled 14058915; those gaskets were not included with pumps in boxes labeled 3977630. And, the 14058915 is still available from GM for a current LIST price of $153.45 but easily purchased for about $115. So, why pay $438 for one?
item #4563658187
item #4560911303
The above items are each a set of 16 GM #3959182 rocker arms. While GM #3959182 rocker arms were not supplied with nuts and rocker balls, in both of the above items, those parts have been "thrown in". In the first case, the buyer paid $207.50 and in the second case, the buyer paid $308.99 (with other folks "right on his heels"). The GM #3959182 rocker arm was used in PRODUCTION for 1969 L-88/ZL-1 engines and 1970-1971 LS-6 engines. It may also have been used for some or all 1969 L-71 and some or all 1969-71 L-78 engines in Chevelles and Camaros. It's the rocker arm marked "H" and the best rocker arm ever available from GM for big blocks and it is discontinued. So, what's wrong with paying these prices for such an illustrious, discontinued piece?
Well, while it was discontinued, it was replaced by GM #12368082. GM $3959182 was a rocker arm; GM #12368082 is a rocker arm KIT. A box with GM #3959182 contains just a GM #3959182 rocker arm; a box with GM #12368082 contains a GM #3959182 rocker arm + the ball and nut. The rocker arm contained in the KIT, is exactly the same as the one that used to be available as GM #3959182, except that you get the ball and nut, too. You can purchase a GM #12368082 for a GM LIST price of $7.87. Or, if you want a whole set of 16 (as was sold with each of the above eBay items), you can purchase a SET under GM #12368085. The SET carries a GM list price of $91.36 but can be easily purchased for about $70, or less. So, why pay $200-300 for a set?
When will they ever learn?
Now, there are some good deals to be found on eBay if one is a "smart shopper". Some time ago, I decided I wanted to get a spare fuel tank for my 92. I found an NOS GM #14048936 tank and purchased it for $250. GM list price for the 14048936 tank (which is used for ALL 1984-96 Corvettes)? $1,914.34. Yes, you read that correctly, $1,914.34 (but, you can buy one for about $1,500).
I also decided that I'd like to get a spare steering wheel for the 92. That's GM #10201320. I found an NOS example of one of those, too. I paid about $100. GM list price? Well, it's discontinued, but when it was last available it sold for $810.82.
Now, I think that these two buys represent "smart shopping", if I do say so myself.
item #4563701394
This is a GM big block waterpump of casting #3975928 and GM part #3977630. Some buyer paid $438.00 for it (with other bidders not far behind). This pump was discontinued in 1983. So, what' wrong with this deal for a part discontinued 22 years ago? Well, here's what's wrong:
1) this waterpump was never used on any PRODUCTION engine (regardless of what some folks might think). It was used only on some SERVICE engines and sold seperately in SERVICE. It "arrived on the scene" too late to have been used on any PRODUCTION ZL-1 engines for which it was "destined". So, the piece could not be required by anyone for "originality" or "restoration" reasons;
2) although GM #3977630 was discontinued in 1983, it was replaced by GM #14058915. GM #14058915 is EXACTLY the same waterpump, with the exact same casting number, and the exact same other markings. The pump contained in the box labeled 3977630 is EXACTLY the same as the one contained in the box labeled 14058915. What's the reason for the difference in the part numbers? Well, I think it's because 2 waterpump gaskets were added to the box labeled 14058915; those gaskets were not included with pumps in boxes labeled 3977630. And, the 14058915 is still available from GM for a current LIST price of $153.45 but easily purchased for about $115. So, why pay $438 for one?
item #4563658187
item #4560911303
The above items are each a set of 16 GM #3959182 rocker arms. While GM #3959182 rocker arms were not supplied with nuts and rocker balls, in both of the above items, those parts have been "thrown in". In the first case, the buyer paid $207.50 and in the second case, the buyer paid $308.99 (with other folks "right on his heels"). The GM #3959182 rocker arm was used in PRODUCTION for 1969 L-88/ZL-1 engines and 1970-1971 LS-6 engines. It may also have been used for some or all 1969 L-71 and some or all 1969-71 L-78 engines in Chevelles and Camaros. It's the rocker arm marked "H" and the best rocker arm ever available from GM for big blocks and it is discontinued. So, what's wrong with paying these prices for such an illustrious, discontinued piece?
Well, while it was discontinued, it was replaced by GM #12368082. GM $3959182 was a rocker arm; GM #12368082 is a rocker arm KIT. A box with GM #3959182 contains just a GM #3959182 rocker arm; a box with GM #12368082 contains a GM #3959182 rocker arm + the ball and nut. The rocker arm contained in the KIT, is exactly the same as the one that used to be available as GM #3959182, except that you get the ball and nut, too. You can purchase a GM #12368082 for a GM LIST price of $7.87. Or, if you want a whole set of 16 (as was sold with each of the above eBay items), you can purchase a SET under GM #12368085. The SET carries a GM list price of $91.36 but can be easily purchased for about $70, or less. So, why pay $200-300 for a set?
When will they ever learn?
Now, there are some good deals to be found on eBay if one is a "smart shopper". Some time ago, I decided I wanted to get a spare fuel tank for my 92. I found an NOS GM #14048936 tank and purchased it for $250. GM list price for the 14048936 tank (which is used for ALL 1984-96 Corvettes)? $1,914.34. Yes, you read that correctly, $1,914.34 (but, you can buy one for about $1,500).
I also decided that I'd like to get a spare steering wheel for the 92. That's GM #10201320. I found an NOS example of one of those, too. I paid about $100. GM list price? Well, it's discontinued, but when it was last available it sold for $810.82.
Now, I think that these two buys represent "smart shopping", if I do say so myself.
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