I'm in need of some help. I've been trying to track down a fuel pump (59 Belair 283) and the shift modulator(cast iron powerglide). Every parts store says their "puter" doesn't go back that far and didn't know how to cross reference. The start of the hunt started fun, now I'd rather just get kicked in the nuts a couple hundred times.
Your not alone. Try finding parts for a 1962 pontiac tempest. When the parts guy looks at you funny and says "they never made a slant 4"
It's a different world today. YOU need to know what parts fit what, they can't tell you. Unless you know that the part from a 1986 Chevy pickup truck with 2WD and air conditioning can be used, the 16 year old kid can't help you. Oh, and the trim level. Never know, the fuel pump might be different on the Cheyenne... :| At least the major chains have their system online for research. I've got an Advance Auto Parts here, and I can go online and get Manufacturer and Manufacturer's part numbers for stuff... that's not bad. Pete
It shouldn't be that hard to find those parts. Try NAPA online. The guys at the parts counters lie cause they don't know ****....around here anyway.
Find yourself a good parts man and worship the ground he walks on. He'll probably be an ***, but that's what defines a good parts man in my experience, he's burned out from dealing with dumb***es and Johnny Jackholes
Find a GOOD parts store - NAPA - with and experienced parts person. They do have an old thing called a BOOK to look up the older parts in. When you find said person, cultivate a friendship. NAPA can get most of the older hard parts like fuel pumps if they will actually spend the time looking for you. Even STUDEBAKER stuff - IF they will look for it. Fuels pumps and the like didn't change all that much over the years, especially the Chevy pumps.
I did a quick check online with NAPA - they show a fuel pump for a '59 Chevy 283. I didn't see a trans modulator but didn't spend a lot of time looking. They're out there, but as said before, it's a good idea to research & take the cross ref. info or a part # when looking for stuff. Next best is as said above, find yerself a good parts guy to help you out. If the newbie counter kids can't twitter , text or ipod & get an answer they probably won't be much help.
shift modulator for cast iron powerglide(scroll down for part number and price): http://www.autotran.us/pgparts1.html
Food. Take your parts guy food. They will remember you. I get certificates at work for Olive Garden and the like. They get p***ed on to the folks who enrich my life. Like the parts guy. when I walk in I get "Hey Chuck" then wait my turn. I do, however get the extra mile.
If you can find a Federated Auto Parts they too have all the books and can look up anything. Plus they have sweet deals like when you buy enough electrical wire to fill the cabinet you get the cabinet for free. The NAPA in ****ord, DE can blow me.
Thanks everyone for the advice and info! All parts are ordered. All I have to do now is get them and put them on.
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