Hot Rods V belts are obsolete?

But but but the kid at the parts store didn’t know what cups for a wheel cylinder was.

 

ALL of our parts are obsolete

 

Like Anthony I do my best to supply as much information to parts people as I can, I always manage to get what I need.

Threads like this always bring out the people who are far more clever then anyone else and the people bashing parts people who can’t read their mind. Amusing.

 

Would be fine to go to the parts store with a part number IF the parts store had that number in their computer. I often go online and find the part number prior to heading to the store, but that doesn't always work for every parts store. Some (like Autozone) use their own numbering system, and if your car isn't all stock it's impossible to look up parts numbers on some parts.
I can easily find parts for the engine, trans, or rear axle on my '39 Chev as I know what I pulled them out of, but the V belt didn't have an old number on it, so all I could do was default to the old method of measuring OD, and subtracting 2" to get belt length. That info wont get me a part number at Autozone. And I only went there because they're so close I could walk there if I wanted to.

 

They stock those because people buy them.

Nobody is buying v-belts.

 

Our chosen economic system is Capitalism.

If it cannot be sold in large quantities, it will NOT be sold.

That is an inviolable law of Capitalism.

Many of you want something different. Good luck.

The golden rule of this economic system is:

"He who has the Gold makes the rules."

 

Needed something for my daily driver barge.
Kid at my parts store, didn't know who made the Crown Victoria.

 

Yes.
When did Detroit stop using V-belts ?
IIRC, the first Serpentine belt I saw was in the mid 80s.

 

Yes, and I would much rather change a v-belt than a damn serpentine!

 

Parts kids doesn’t need to know what I drive. I give em part numbers.
They give me parts.
It’s a cool deal

 

I do have fun breaking in new counter guys by asking for parts based off donors. One time I did brakes all the way around on my monte Carlo. Went in and asked for front brakes for a 97 monte Carlo and rears for an 02 regal. As I was being rung up the kid said "ah doing brakes on a couple cars today eh?" To which I said "nope
.....same car" lol

 

I can see where it would be very troublesome to answer that question to help him learn something…all the “old guys” everyone raves about weren’t born knowing what they know.

 

My '50 Chevy truck was once featured in an HRM write-up (March 2013) before I owned it because the owner/builder kept shredding and throwing V-belts on a basic CSB 350. So for the article, they threw a $1000 worth of serpentine pulleys and belts at it because nobody could or would line up the V-pulleys.
On another note, the last time I bought a V-belt for something else not so long ago, I got it at a tractor supply store, easy peasy.

 

Yes, it is unrealistic to expect very basic knowledge in the field that someone is employed.

 

Showed the kid at the parts store how to measure a bearing a couple months ago.
Every encounter at the counter is an opportunity to pass on knowledge

 

It is unrealistic to expect someone that makes a less-than-survivable wage to give a crap.

 

A Crown Vic was barely a production car when it was last being made 13 years ago and 80% of those being made were probably in police forces. I am guessing not a lot of people were walking in off the street asking for parts for one even then. To expect a counterman to know what it is now, who was probably in grade school the last time it was being made, is laughable.

 

My local parts store doesn't carry a lot of basic small block Chevy parts I would think all stores would have. The ones I visit in rural northern California do. It's all demographic models. I can order online and have it delivered to store or mail. The people behind the counter, for the most part, do listen and try though

 

Yeah, whatever Felicia.

 

...... and the fact that they don't give a crap might just be part of the reason they make a less-than-survivable wage.
Not always the case, but there surely are some.

 

Everyone should work a week in an auto parts store dealing with today’s public. I’m with Anthony, research and walk in with your manufacturer and part number. Most chain stores you can check their inventory online prior to driving to store. It’s tough to staff any business in today’s world. I go easy on anyone actually working.

 

When I was managing for oreillys. You were basically stuck on a set wage for hiring that would get approved. After 3 years the employees I retained that might have seen a pay increase if $1.50? It was more acceptable to upper management i.e. District and regional management to allow me to hire someone else in at 2 dollars more than it would be to give someone a pay increase over 10 percent. After six years management for the company, I finally got tired of it. Loved the job, people, experience and the company was great. But in the end poor upper management that followed percentages that make sense on paper but no where else drove me away.

 

We should all remember that when they ask for "year, make, model" they are actually performing flawlessly according to the training they have received. Often, the fault lies a lot farther up the tree than the young guy behind the counter. Busting his balls does little to help.......... other than add to your reputation.

 

Common, not just in Automotive.

 

HERE, HERE!!!

 

True that. Run mechanical repair section for a collision shop now and you can't get on those guys because they get butt hurt and leave. Can't find anyone to work. So you either let them do whatever, you get on them and they leave, nothing gets done or I just fire them and I'm stuck doing everything lol.

 

NOOOOOOOO....the HORROR. Standing in line listening to the customers is painful enough.

 

For those still with a local Pop and Mom style store, support them while they are there. My local independent store, in business for about 40 something years, is closing at the end of the month unless a buyer is found, which is doubtful with the price they are asking. It was ran by three brothers since the beginning. One brother recently got down with Alzheimer’s and had to quit, now the other two brothers are closing it. The convenience of having a parts store 3 miles away isn’t lost on me, so easy to jump in the pickup and run over there and get something that I’d otherwise have to drive 20 miles or more to get. I found however I can order bigger parts online like starters and alternators that they don’t have in stock or would have to order themselves. My shopping will change now, items I use like fluids, hardware, filters, even hoses and belts I’ll have to keep a small stockpile to knock down on time and fuel used.

 

One guy can't get a v-belt...and the fountain of discontent about 21st century auto parts retailers, once again floods the micro world of HAMB.

 

Many are having extreme difficulties adapting to the current reality.