Too "old school" for the auto parts stores?

I went to three local auto parts stores this moring, Auto Zone, O' Rielly and Advance Auto...Looking for three simple 1973 SBC parts;
1. mechanical fuel pump
2. timing cover gasket set
3. intake manifold gasket set where the rubber seals have the ***s to fit into the holes on the block.

One store had NONE of these parts and said they don't make timing cover gaskets anymore for the 1973 motor as it was too old...! The second store only had one part in stock and their computer did not even list the fuel pump. The third store had 2 out of three but had to transfer the timing cover gasket set from another store.

Am I too old school?

 

not at all

 

the O'Reillys where i work part time has all of that in stock

 

Should have just went online at NAPA .com,got your part no.s and went to NAPA. The 3 stores you mentioned mostly sell bling for newer cars.

 

I'll put the popcorn on...

 

Maybe they only stock the A movers....and face it, no one drives a 73 chevy any more.

 

HAHA you said '73.
My O reilly has been very good to me though. They do carry alot of common stuff like that. They had wheel cylinders for my 61 galaxie in stock.

 

73 SBC? Who made them, Studebaker? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

 

Look it up online and order it from O'reilly's. They'll take your order over the phone. You don't pay till you pick it up.

 

I save a lot of aggravation by going on line and getting part numbers that I need,then taking them to the store.They can just put the numbers in their computer and find out the status of the parts.

 

I try to fine the part number first before I go shopping locally. Then when they ask what the part is for I tell them it is for the space shuttle. If I mention an old Ford, Dodge or Chevy by year they seem to have problems but no problem for the space shuttle parts.

 

You have to understand that with a computer data base for parts the program needs year make and model to access the data base.Some don't go back to 73 in some models.Its not always the counter person't problem.The old way with paper "cats" is just about dead.Sad story but true.Try on line first and then get a number sometimes works.No sense in beating a dead horse that what parts guy's are up against in a big parts chain.

T

 

even better, try to get a thermostat gasket at auto zone or advance... the computer only comes up with thermostat SEAL for the new GM's. I said it's the same gasket from 1955 through the 90's and showed him the $6 Mr Gasket one that was in their speed goodies section. still swore it didn't exist, the later seal was what I needed and I didn't know what I really needed.
Most times they still won't find it even with the part #.
I try to stick with my regular parts place and not put myself through the torture on sunday afternoons.

 

There's the answer of the day.

If you get online 1st, it'll tell you if you local store has it in stock too.

 

2 auto zone stories--1st I ask for a timing set for a 78 sbc 305 had to go the whole 9 yards--auto or man trans--2 or 4 wd--2 or 4 bbl-you get the idea----counter boy was gone about 10 min &finally came back with only the chain Next time same store diff counter BOY tried to get a fuel pump for same trk --after the usual time at the counter he pulled an elect pump up on the screen & told me thats all they had because it was too old

 

Go to a real auto parts store,,NAPA. HRP

 

It ain't you....you just gotta remember that the counter jockeys have never (99% that is) have never worked on anything but their Honduh and have never seen a manual fuel pump.....and couldn't tell you on a bet what years the SBC were made.....

 

Yeah, but did you get laughed at?

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=717477

 

These days....it hit or miss at the chain supply store.
I hate it when "It's not in the computer."

Anyone remember the days when you walked in for an old part and the ol' boy behind the counter took off down a back aisle and came back with your part.
His head full of knowledge was the computer!

 

You gotta be smarter than a Micky D's dropout, is that really so difficult?

 

I think the sbc stuff is being phased out of the inventory of some of these stores... The auto zones around here are pretty bad about it. I've had trouble finding gaskets, starter, water necks... All basic stuff. I can kind of understand if I went in and asked about a .010 under sized main bearing set, but why is an intake gasket for the edelbrock intake they have on the shelf a special order item? 40 years old or not these engines must be at least 20% of their inquiries in some places...

 

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/s...ickup+RWD&vi=1029978&year=1973&make=Chevrolet

I'm not sure what the number for the ones with th tabs are.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/s...ickup+RWD&vi=1029978&year=1973&make=Chevrolet

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/s...ickup+RWD&vi=1029978&year=1973&make=Chevrolet

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...n-P-U-2WD/Timing-Cover-Gasket/_/N-ip3psZaliz8

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/pa...on-P-U-2WD/Valve-Cover-Gasket/_/N-ip3psZaliz0

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1973-Chevrolet-C10-1-2-ton-P-U-2WD/Fuel-Pump/_/N-ip3psZ8vcz2

Sometimes you have to do your homework.

I will agree that it may depend on what the store manager or purchaser sees as parts that move on a regular basis. Still, Autozone, Napa or O'Reilly's should be able to have any part you need out of the warehouse on the next truck. Here locally there is a Napa truck delivering to the Napa stores every night. The mom and pop I deal with can have the parts in a few hours if they don't have them in stock.

 

that would be a tough one to find anywhere!

 

You need to start driving stuff that's more popular than a SBC....

 

I was able to get both intake and exhaust gaskets for '55 Hemi 331 heads from my O'Reilly. They had to order them, but I got 'em the same day. I did have to go down and talk inperson with somebody I knew, since the young ***** on the phone was no help.

 

Time to throw out my 400 SBC and steal the motor from my wifes Kia...

 

1. mechanical fuel pump - Lester #40987
2. timing cover gasket set - Felpro # tcs45121
3. intake manifold gasket set where the rubber seals have the ***s to fit into the holes on the block. Felpro # ms90314-2

Talk about old school.... I REMEMBER these #'s from when I worked auto parts, 30 years ago.... just don't ask me my wedding anniversary.... getting old stinks.

 

You have to know that these kids that work there cant read your mind and are only doing what they are taught. I always go online and research the part numbers for back up so things go smooth when I get there. Dont expect some 22 year old girl to know all about car parts or for that matter even really care.

 

Yep, but I bet you a dollar to a doughnut that she can link your bluetooth system without breaking a sweat.

 

The problem is that you live in the city, there's a higher concentration of *****s there. You have to remember that most of the retards that work at the parts store for $.67 an hour didn't graduate the 4th grade and can't even read a computer screen let alone one of those old school "book" things.

If it wasn't for the human race, I'd have faith in the human race.