Well, recently I've seen some more examples of rather "imprudent" parts purchases (on eBay, of course, but it could just as well happen anywhere). I thought that I'd present a few and the lessons that could be learned:
1) GM #3796243----PUSH ROD, small block engine
The above-referenced is the part number for the PRODUCTION pushrod originally used on most 1962 through 84 small blocks. It was available in SERVICE until June, 1984 when it was replaced by GM #14095256. The latter part is still available from GM and SERVICES all 1955 to 1995 small blocks. The 3796243 was a "one-piece" design (actually, it was not a one piece push rod, but was made up from 3 pieces; it LOOKED like 1 piece, though). The 14095256 is of the "welded ball" end design. From a functional perspective, the "welded ball" is a better design since the ball is perfectly round and operates with less friction in the rocker arm socket. Nevertheless, this design is not "correct" for 62-84 Corvette engines.
Both of the above-referenced pushrods are case hardened on one end to make them compatible with push-rod guide plates. The end so-hardened is indicated by an approximately 1" wide blue dye stripe.
Although the original style push-rod under GM #3796243 is no longer available since 1984, GM does offer another push rod which is virtually identical in configuration. I don't think that anyone could tell the difference. That pushrod is GM #14044874. It is available as a complete engine set (16) under GM #12495491. In addition to being virtually identical to the 3796243 (if that really matters to anyone), this push rod is functionally better than the 3796243. It is case hardened over its entire length, plus it's thicker wall and, consequently, much stronger (although OD is the same as 3796453).
The above referenced push rod carries a GM list price of $4.81/each or $43.24 for the set. It is quite easy to find a GM parts source that will sell at 25% off list, so make these prices 3.61 and 32.43. Also, aftermarket pushrods which are identical to the old 3796453 are easily available which are far superior to the old GM part in just about every way. Around 100 bucks for a set.
Of course, neither the GM #14044874 or aftermarket have the blue stripe. But, if that's important to you, you can add it with a blue felt marker pen. NO ONE will know the difference.
So, why would someone pay $432 for a set of 16 of GM #3796243? Truly a mystery, but someone did (see eBay #2411326851, if you don't believe me). Our boy "13pack" bid $427, but got "aced out" by another bidder.
2) GM #3927142----VALVE SPRING, small block
The above-referenced valve spring is a SERVICE-only item never used on a PRODUCTION engine. It was primarily designed for use with camshaft GM #3927140 which was a SERVICE-only mechanical camshaft released in 1968 for Z-28 and other small block off-road racing. The camshaft was discontinued years ago, but the 3927142 springs remain available from GM. Current list price is $3.73/each. Given the easy-to-get 25% discount, make this $2.80/each or $44.80 for an engine set.
So, why would someone pay $150 for a set of these springs which are still available from GM? It's a mystery, but someone did (our boy "13pack"). See eBay item #2412997178. In fact, there were only 2 bids---both from "13pack". He, apparently, placed an initial bid of the opening price of $150, then later placed another "protective bid" to make sure that he didn't get "aced out" by someone else.
3) GM #3849818----VALVE, engine exhaust
The above-referenced part number is the part number for the PRODUCTION and SERVICE 1.60" exhaust valves used for SHP small blocks from 1964 through 1980. It is still available from GM for $22.63/each or $181.04 for a set. Of course, once again, a 25%+ discount is easy to get. So, it would be easy to purchase these for about $135 for the set.
So, why would someone pay $140 for the set for these parts which are still available from GM (see eBay #2412999093)? It's a mystery, but someone did (our boy "13 pack"). Same thing, too. He placed an opening bid of, at least, the $140 opening price, then came back later and placed a "protective bid" to keep from being "aced out". It was his good luck that no one else came along and drove the price up or he would have paid, I'll bet, a lot more.
4) GM #3849814----VALVE, engine intake
The above-referenced valve is the PRODUCTION and SERVICE swirl-polished, 2.02" intake valve used for 64-80 SHP small blocks. It is still available from GM for a current list price of $19.27/each or $154.16 for the set. Once again, with 25% off, make this $115.62 for an engine set. So, why would anyone pay $140 for these parts which are still available from GM? It's a mystery, but someone did just that (our boy "13pack"). See eBay #2413000721. Same "protective bid" to ensure he didn't get "aced out" for these extremely rare and valuable parts (which are still available from GM). Good thing that one of those guys that P.T. Barnum used to talk about didn't come along and drive the price up. Or, maybe even a savvy bidder out to have some fun.......
1) GM #3796243----PUSH ROD, small block engine
The above-referenced is the part number for the PRODUCTION pushrod originally used on most 1962 through 84 small blocks. It was available in SERVICE until June, 1984 when it was replaced by GM #14095256. The latter part is still available from GM and SERVICES all 1955 to 1995 small blocks. The 3796243 was a "one-piece" design (actually, it was not a one piece push rod, but was made up from 3 pieces; it LOOKED like 1 piece, though). The 14095256 is of the "welded ball" end design. From a functional perspective, the "welded ball" is a better design since the ball is perfectly round and operates with less friction in the rocker arm socket. Nevertheless, this design is not "correct" for 62-84 Corvette engines.
Both of the above-referenced pushrods are case hardened on one end to make them compatible with push-rod guide plates. The end so-hardened is indicated by an approximately 1" wide blue dye stripe.
Although the original style push-rod under GM #3796243 is no longer available since 1984, GM does offer another push rod which is virtually identical in configuration. I don't think that anyone could tell the difference. That pushrod is GM #14044874. It is available as a complete engine set (16) under GM #12495491. In addition to being virtually identical to the 3796243 (if that really matters to anyone), this push rod is functionally better than the 3796243. It is case hardened over its entire length, plus it's thicker wall and, consequently, much stronger (although OD is the same as 3796453).
The above referenced push rod carries a GM list price of $4.81/each or $43.24 for the set. It is quite easy to find a GM parts source that will sell at 25% off list, so make these prices 3.61 and 32.43. Also, aftermarket pushrods which are identical to the old 3796453 are easily available which are far superior to the old GM part in just about every way. Around 100 bucks for a set.
Of course, neither the GM #14044874 or aftermarket have the blue stripe. But, if that's important to you, you can add it with a blue felt marker pen. NO ONE will know the difference.
So, why would someone pay $432 for a set of 16 of GM #3796243? Truly a mystery, but someone did (see eBay #2411326851, if you don't believe me). Our boy "13pack" bid $427, but got "aced out" by another bidder.
2) GM #3927142----VALVE SPRING, small block
The above-referenced valve spring is a SERVICE-only item never used on a PRODUCTION engine. It was primarily designed for use with camshaft GM #3927140 which was a SERVICE-only mechanical camshaft released in 1968 for Z-28 and other small block off-road racing. The camshaft was discontinued years ago, but the 3927142 springs remain available from GM. Current list price is $3.73/each. Given the easy-to-get 25% discount, make this $2.80/each or $44.80 for an engine set.
So, why would someone pay $150 for a set of these springs which are still available from GM? It's a mystery, but someone did (our boy "13pack"). See eBay item #2412997178. In fact, there were only 2 bids---both from "13pack". He, apparently, placed an initial bid of the opening price of $150, then later placed another "protective bid" to make sure that he didn't get "aced out" by someone else.
3) GM #3849818----VALVE, engine exhaust
The above-referenced part number is the part number for the PRODUCTION and SERVICE 1.60" exhaust valves used for SHP small blocks from 1964 through 1980. It is still available from GM for $22.63/each or $181.04 for a set. Of course, once again, a 25%+ discount is easy to get. So, it would be easy to purchase these for about $135 for the set.
So, why would someone pay $140 for the set for these parts which are still available from GM (see eBay #2412999093)? It's a mystery, but someone did (our boy "13 pack"). Same thing, too. He placed an opening bid of, at least, the $140 opening price, then came back later and placed a "protective bid" to keep from being "aced out". It was his good luck that no one else came along and drove the price up or he would have paid, I'll bet, a lot more.
4) GM #3849814----VALVE, engine intake
The above-referenced valve is the PRODUCTION and SERVICE swirl-polished, 2.02" intake valve used for 64-80 SHP small blocks. It is still available from GM for a current list price of $19.27/each or $154.16 for the set. Once again, with 25% off, make this $115.62 for an engine set. So, why would anyone pay $140 for these parts which are still available from GM? It's a mystery, but someone did just that (our boy "13pack"). See eBay #2413000721. Same "protective bid" to ensure he didn't get "aced out" for these extremely rare and valuable parts (which are still available from GM). Good thing that one of those guys that P.T. Barnum used to talk about didn't come along and drive the price up. Or, maybe even a savvy bidder out to have some fun.......
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