C2:67 P/S Hoses, Yes they are available

[Gerard F.]

Was looking to replace my repro power steering hoses on my 67 with OEM GM hoses. So I brought the pages from the 67 AIM to a local GM dealer and had them look up the part numbers.

Yes, they are available, one from here, one from there, as the computer talked to the operator. The price, $270 plus tax, and that was with a discount since I'm such a good customer. Such a deal! I chuckled and restrained myself from laughing on the floor.

So, I bought a set of repros on ebay from a well known vendor, $53 delivered.

I think I'll take the points off for the repros, probably the same for the GM replacements.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Joe L.]

Re: C2:67 P/S Hoses, Yes they are available

Jerry------

As you've found, the power steering hoses for 63-82 Corvettes are still mostly available from GM. The exceptions are the control valve-to-pump hose for 65-74 big blocks and the control valve-to-pump hose for all 80-82 models.

As you've also found, they're VERY expensive. A complete car-set of the hoses purchased individually (they're not available as a set) carries a total GM list price of $317.65. So, it looks like your dealer offers you about a 15% discount.

I've compared the GM hoses to aftermarket. I really can't SEE much difference other than some difference in the configuration of the crimps. GM does not make these hoses and, as far as I know, never did. These are manufactured for them by some outside manufacturer. Once-upon-a-time, I was told that it was Gates Rubber, but I've never confirmed that. I haven't found any decipherable manufacturer's ID on them, either.

The thing that's always bothered me, though, is why the aftermarket hoses are so cheap, even for top-name brands, and the GM hoses so expensive? I expect some difference, but not this much. So, it's always made me wonder if there might be some real difference between GM and aftermarket. Like I say, though, you sure can't SEE much difference.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2:67 P/S Hoses, Yes they are available

Jerry------

As you've found, the power steering hoses for 63-82 Corvettes are still mostly available from GM. The exceptions are the control valve-to-pump hose for 65-74 big blocks and the control valve-to-pump hose for all 80-82 models.

As you've also found, they're VERY expensive. A complete car-set of the hoses purchased individually (they're not available as a set) carries a total GM list price of $317.65. So, it looks like your dealer offers you about a 15% discount.

I've compared the GM hoses to aftermarket. I really can't SEE much difference other than some difference in the configuration of the crimps. GM does not make these hoses and, as far as I know, never did. These are manufactured for them by some outside manufacturer. Once-upon-a-time, I was told that it was Gates Rubber, but I've never confirmed that. I haven't found any decipherable manufacturer's ID on them, either.

The thing that's always bothered me, though, is why the aftermarket hoses are so cheap, even for top-name brands, and the GM hoses so expensive? I expect some difference, but not this much. So, it's always made me wonder if there might be some real difference between GM and aftermarket. Like I say, though, you sure can't SEE much difference.

[Richard M.]

Re: C2:67 P/S Hoses, Yes they are available

Joe,
Is it possible that GM charges so much because it's considered a hig risk safety item because part of the steering system? Maybe their legal department gets so involved that their is a margin for legal services? Maybe the repros aren't bound by the same issues???
I recall 20 years ago when the C1 worm and sector gears reproductions were never available as someone said that because it was steering(high liability risk), that licensing and legal issues made it too costly to repro them. Today there are repros, and they aren't cheap either.

A few months ago I bought GM spark plug shield from my dealer. I almost fell over when looked at my invoice when I got home. I bought about 20 items and didn't look close at the counter. It was $25.35(35.58 list) each for the 3817657, and $10.13(14.21 list) each for the 3917664. Are these high risk parts!

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: C2:67 P/S Hoses, Yes they are available

Joe,
Is it possible that GM charges so much because it's considered a hig risk safety item because part of the steering system? Maybe their legal department gets so involved that their is a margin for legal services? Maybe the repros aren't bound by the same issues???
I recall 20 years ago when the C1 worm and sector gears reproductions were never available as someone said that because it was steering(high liability risk), that licensing and legal issues made it too costly to repro them. Today there are repros, and they aren't cheap either.

A few months ago I bought GM spark plug shield from my dealer. I almost fell over when looked at my invoice when I got home. I bought about 20 items and didn't look close at the counter. It was $25.35(35.58 list) each for the 3817657, and $10.13(14.21 list) each for the 3917664. Are these high risk parts!

Rich

[Joe L.]

Re: C2:67 P/S Hoses, Yes they are available

Rich------

I'll bet you're not the first one to get "bit" by the price of the GM #3817657 shield. "Way-back-when" the price of the 2 different shields used for the left rear/right front and the right rear/left front were the same. That pricing "relationship" changed many years ago and there was a "reason" for it. I'll explain this situation (as best I can) in another new thread that I'll start when I get around to it.

[Joe L.]

Re: C2:67 P/S Hoses, Yes they are available

Rich------

I'll bet you're not the first one to get "bit" by the price of the GM #3817657 shield. "Way-back-when" the price of the 2 different shields used for the left rear/right front and the right rear/left front were the same. That pricing "relationship" changed many years ago and there was a "reason" for it. I'll explain this situation (as best I can) in another new thread that I'll start when I get around to it.

[Richard M.]

Re: C2:67 P/S Hoses, Yes they are available

Joe, Please drop me an email when you write it up. I check here often but don't want to miss this one. Feel free to use the link to the photos when you get around to it. It's:

Interesting differences in the 2 part #'s. The 664 is bright cad, where the 657 is a dull almost zinc like finish, whic also have the rib all the way down the curve vs the 664 which doesn't. The 664 also has a "U" in a circle and the letter "R" underneath(RH shield). Hmmmm, maybe those are repros resold by GM?????

Thanks,
Rich
ps Now I'm not going to sleep until I know why.:-)

[Richard M.]

Re: C2:67 P/S Hoses, Yes they are available

Joe, Please drop me an email when you write it up. I check here often but don't want to miss this one. Feel free to use the link to the photos when you get around to it. It's:

Interesting differences in the 2 part #'s. The 664 is bright cad, where the 657 is a dull almost zinc like finish, whic also have the rib all the way down the curve vs the 664 which doesn't. The 664 also has a "U" in a circle and the letter "R" underneath(RH shield). Hmmmm, maybe those are repros resold by GM?????

Thanks,
Rich
ps Now I'm not going to sleep until I know why.:-)