GM Parts Books Round 2

[Norm C.]

Saw the recent posts about GM Parts Books and how reliable they are/aren't depending on their effective date, compared to the year of Vette in question. I gotta believe there are many out there who have various copies of those books but not sure how to rely on them. Could the "experts" who know about these books help us who aren't. The following questions are related to the "Corvette" only books as opposed to the "Chevrolet" books

1. What is the difference between the "Parts & Accessories" books from the "Parts & Illustration" book and the "Body & Chassis" book? What is the difference from the 14A and B?

2. It appears that the most accurate original part numbers will come from a book dated at the end of the same year as the Vett in quesion. Does that mean subsequent year books will list new part numbers if changed?

3. Is the P&A book the only one of the three that lists a part number index in the back? (My 72 P&A book has a part # index, but the 1982 Parts & Illustraion does not.)

4. When the part book part # differs from the NCRS TI/JM's, which is the correct source... or more specifically how does NCRS handle the differences?

5. Lastly are the many CD versions offered out there a better source than the original GM books? OR..What other sources are considered more accurate?

Obviously GM didn't create these books for enthusiasts or NCRS, but we're the ones left who value them. Thanks in advance from a Joe Lucia wannabe!!

[William C.]

Re: GM Parts Books Round 2

Parts is parts description and part number, listed by GM parts group. Illustrations, are a set of drawings illustratiing various aspects of the car with a key showing the part name and the parts group where it can be found.

Changes occur during a year, so generally the most accurate book for your car is nof from that year, but keep in mind not all parts are serviced, and if a part changed two or more times during the year. the service system may not catch them all.

Index is part of the P7A book, not the illustration section.

The NCRS judging guides are not dependent on parts books, although they may be useful at times to track changes. The parts books are not infallable. (nor the Judging guides( although the judging guides are reviewed and corrected on an ongoing basis). Remember the purpose of a part in the GM parts system is to keep i vehicle on the road, not to creata an "as deliver" concours result.

I have no comment on the last question as I am not familiar with the options.

[Terry M.]

Your question #4

I can not speak for all the TIM&JGs, but the early C3 books only give a part number when that number appears on the part -- and example would be the alternator or carburetor number. More often they will give a CASTING number when that number appears on the part, but only rarely (some would say almost never) is the CASTING number the same as the PART number.

[Mike E.]

Re: Your question #4

In addition, there is the Standard Parts Catalog (P&A 24) which lists bolts, retainers, rivets, washers, clips, etc.
Plus, a Radio parts book (P&A 5B) was put out regularly.
AND, a book that I've not seen often is "Identification Part Number to Chevrolet Part Number" (also identified as P&A 24). For example, if you look up 3782870 (casting number for 62-66 327 block) it will ID that as Chevrolet part number 3857615 and identify it as a block. That publication has ID numbers for Carter parts, Anco, Bendix, AC, Borg and Beck, Bostrom, etc., etc. parts that were used on GM applications.

[Gary C.]

Re: Parts Change Tracking

There also was an annual parts no. change history published. Which shows the original part no. and the supercede part no. and date. Not sure of the publication no. Gary....

[William C.]

Parts History Catalog 87B *NM*

[Terry M.]

Re: Parts Change Tracking

Thos Parts History books are sometimes more frequent than once a year. In the C3 era they were generally published twice a year.