How NOT to Buy Parts #4

[Joe L.]

Well, here are a few more examples of folks paying too much for parts on eBay:

eBay #8074328546-----F-41 rear shocks winning bid= $430.00

comments: These EXACT same shocks remain available under GM #4940459. They are not exactly correct for 63-70 applications, but they're as close as you can get in a currently available shock. GM LIST price= $80.01/each. A pair could easily be purchased for about $120, though, and you get the boxes, too. So, why pay $430?

eBay #8072166246------GM #3959182 rocker arms (L-88/ZL-1/LS-6); winning bid= $177.50

comments: These EXACT SAME rocker arms can be purchased as a set under GM #12368085. The set includes 16 rocker arms + rocker balls and nuts (which didn't come with the eBay set). Current GM list price is $91.36, but the set can easily be purchased for about $70. So, why pay $177.50?

eBay #8070256980------GM #3966565 and GM #3966566 pillar post weatherstrip. Winning bid= $350.

comments: these are expensive weatherstrip. I've picked up several sets on eBay for bargain-basement prices. $350 is NOT a bargain-basement price, however. These weatherstrips are still available from GM for a current LIST price of, respectively, $167.99 and $160.94. So, the pair would cost $328.93 at LIST price. Once again, easily purchased for about $250. So, why pay $350?

eBay #4637719875-----1969-76 black chrome shifter ball; winning bid= $261.

comments: The original shifter ball was GM #3960608. This one may be that part but we don't know, for sure, since there's, apparently, no GM box that comes with it. In any event, there is a perfect reproduction on the market that can't be told from original. I've compared a known-original GM #3960608 (in the GM box) to a reproduction. Identical. Who knows, since there is no box, maybe this one is a reproduction, too?

eBay #4637493767-----7/16" big block pushrod set GM #3942415 & 3942416 (L-88, ZL-1). Winning bid=$353.99

comments: I see these push rods sell for big $$$$ all the time on eBay. I don't know why, though. For one thing, only L-88/ZL-1 ever originally used them. This partiuclar set of pushrods was used only for 1969, although they can be used for other engines.

For another thing, there are available GM replacements for these pushrods (not too many folks know that, but there are). The part numbers are GM #10134303, exhaust, and 10134304, intake. These pushrods sell for a GM list price of $13.24 and $12.36, respectively. A complete engine set can easily be purchased for about $155. So, how do these pushrods differ from the 3942415 and the 3942416? Well, they're both 7/16" pushrods manufactured of 1010 steel. However, the earlier design uses a swaged down end with a pressed-in button tip. The later design uses non swaged-down ends with a tip insert. The later design is functionally BETTER. Discerning the difference on an assembled engine would be virtually impossible.

For yet ANOTHER thing, there are also BETTER GM pushrods available in 7/16" OD (should someone really feel the need to use 7/16" OD pushrods or to upgrade an L-88/ZL-1). These are identical to the 10134303 and 10134304 except that they're manufactured of 4130 steel. This is MUCH stronger than 1010 steel used for original L-88/ZL-1 pushrods or the 10134303 and 10134304 replacements. So, if you think you need 7/16" pushrods and you want to use GM, why not get the strongest GM pieces available? These pushrods are GM #10134305 and 10134306. The currently GM list for $16.57 and 15.24/each. So, an engine set can be purchased for about $190 from a competitive GM dealer.

Lastly, as far as the retrofit use of 7/16" pushrods to other big blocks, forget it. You can purchase aftermarket 3/8" pushrods manufactured of 4130 steel which are LIGHTER and stronger than the original 7/16" L-88/ZL-1 pushrods. These pushrods are WAY MORE than adequate for ANY street big block (and, a lot of racing big blocks, too).

By the way, I'll repeat that the prices paid for the above items are NOT the fault of the seller. Except in cases of ridiculous reserves/starting prices, the BUYERS are the ones that generate the high prices. Even in the case of ridiculous reserves or high starting prices it still takes a WILLING BUYER to "make it work".

[Donald T.]

Re: How NOT to Buy Parts #4

Good stuff Joe! I've wondered about those F41 shocks, as there's seems to be an endless supply of them on ebay. I've just never bothered to check and see if they were still available.

Don

[Bryan L.]

Re: How NOT to Buy Parts #4

Maybe Jerry Bramlett can add these to his auction listings along with the not really NOS shock washers.

BL

[Steve Antonucci]

Re: How NOT to Buy Parts #4

Joe,

Regarding some of these auctions, there is a new eBay dynamic afoot that
basically gets bidders in a frenzy as soon as they get the sense that any
particular part was ( or could have been )used on an L-88 or ZL-1. If the
seller even mentions "RARE" in the listing, UP-UP-and-AWAY the prices go.

Since my passion is 67-69 big blocks, I get to see this rediculous stuff
all the time. As I am a Camaro owner as well, I have to sit back and
watch the frenzy even more so. Some day someone is going to write a book
about this phenomenon.

Here's one to add: Almost $1,100.00 for a used set of LS-6 valve covers
( clean, but still used ). How can something like this be justified?

And yes, you hit the nail on the head. The bidders are usually at fault for
the crazy prices.

Steve

[Joel Falk]

Re: How NOT to Buy Parts #4

Joe,

Do you know if fronts are still available as well? the same seller was offering F41 front shocks under auction 8074327384. The description to his rears was almost identical and went for even more mad money at $518.00

[Joe L.]

Re: How NOT to Buy Parts #4

Joel------

I did see those, too, but I didn't comment on them since they are a discontinued item and, presumably, worth what the market will bear. That's unlike items that are still available from GM. Those can NEVER be worth more than GM list price. However, while they were an F-41 replacement shock and were used on some later C3 FE-7 applications, they were never originally used on any 63-72 Corvette. They are more similar in configuration to standard shocks than they are to original F-41 shocks.