What is the hardest to get part?

[James B.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Joe,

Thank you for your reply. I have been looking for a spare for several years now. I have a #238 on my distributor presently without any issues and zero pre-ignition problems, but would like to have a #238 back up. I have read many posts on this issue in regards to the aftermarket replacement vac canisters. I plan on having the car go through flight judging in the very near future, and would like to maximize the points in the engine compartment. Can these be rebuilt? Hopefully the one I have will stay in good working order.

Kind regards,

Jim

[Joe L.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Joe,

Thank you for your reply. I have been looking for a spare for several years now. I have a #238 on my distributor presently without any issues and zero pre-ignition problems, but would like to have a #238 back up. I have read many posts on this issue in regards to the aftermarket replacement vac canisters. I plan on having the car go through flight judging in the very near future, and would like to maximize the points in the engine compartment. Can these be rebuilt? Hopefully the one I have will stay in good working order.

Kind regards,

Jim

Jim------


I know of no way to rebuild these.

There is no aftermarket equivalent that I know of for the GM #1116238. However, there is an aftermarket equivalent for its replacement, the GM #1115357. The '238" and "357" did not have identical specs.

The aftermarket equivalent for the '357' is stamped "B9". A Standard Motor Products VC169 is one way to get one.

[James B.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Joe,

Thanks,

You have provided other options for me to think about.

Jim

[Patrick B.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Dale-----


1967 L-88 breather tube, GM #3883265.

Here are some pictures of what a 67 L-88 road draft tube looks like. I've had this one since the late 70's so I know it's not a repop. I don't think the chrome is original however. I have also observed that the 68-69 L-88 hoods have a dent moulded into the air box to accomodate this road draft tube even thought the cars did not come with them. I doubt that I'll ever get an L-88, so this tube is looking for a worthy home.

[Joe L.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Here are some pictures of what a 67 L-88 road draft tube looks like. I've had this one since the late 70's so I know it's not a repop. I don't think the chrome is original however. I have also observed that the 68-69 L-88 hoods have a dent moulded into the air box to accomodate this road draft tube even thought the cars did not come with them. I doubt that I'll ever get an L-88, so this tube is looking for a worthy home.

Patrick------


The originals from GM were not chromed.

[Michael H.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Here are some pictures of what a 67 L-88 road draft tube looks like. I've had this one since the late 70's so I know it's not a repop. I don't think the chrome is original however. I have also observed that the 68-69 L-88 hoods have a dent moulded into the air box to accomodate this road draft tube even thought the cars did not come with them. I doubt that I'll ever get an L-88, so this tube is looking for a worthy home.

Patrick,

I've had several of these also but yours looks like the tube for passenger car, not Corvette??? The configuration near the bottom is different.

[Patrick B.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Patrick,

I've had several of these also but yours looks like the tube for passenger car, not Corvette??? The configuration near the bottom is different.

What big block passenger car used a road draft tube? This one fits the valve cover fitting, the intake manifold bolt and the rear head bolt. I'm not aware of any other 396-427-454 that used a road draft tube?

[Michael H.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

What big block passenger car used a road draft tube? This one fits the valve cover fitting, the intake manifold bolt and the rear head bolt. I'm not aware of any other 396-427-454 that used a road draft tube?

Patrick,

No production passenger car ever used the road draft tube that you have but it was available in service. It wasn't shown in the regular parts book but was in the HD pages.
As mentioned, there were two somewhat similar tubes. One was unique to Corvette and the other listed as "passenger", which was probably directed toward Chevelle.
The top section was identical for both but the lower 1/3 of the tube was shaped differently for Corvette.

The Corvette tube was part number 3883265 and it was discontinued in Aug of 1971.

The passenger car tube was part number 3879941 and it was still available in about 1980 as that's when I ordered/received two from GM. They looked exactly like the one in your picture.

I've had a few correct Corvette tubes over the years but I think they're back on L88 cars today.

I may have a picture of the Corvette tube. If so, I'll post it.

[Justin B.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

1957 1958 RPO 684 Brake Shoes

[Mark P.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

For me, it was a 56 3 speed transmission with the 394 tailshaft. An original in great shape that only needed minor work. Looked high and low all across the country and finally came across one 50 miles from home. Traded straight across for another incorrect transmission I had. Unbelieveably lucky, from what I was told in the discussion board.

Also, I searched for and found an original oil pan for the 56 in non-shredded shape (still needed work), and a great set of 762 correct dated heads, and a perfect correct set of WCFB carburetors that didn't look like they had been stored in a submarine bilge for 20 years (like many that I have seen). All tough to find items.

Not a C1 part, but my K19 AIR pump bracket for my 66 427 California convertible was a bugger to find, too. Gold plated platinum, I believe. Shoot, all of this stuff is tough to get. I hope to not have to look for these items again...unless I find just the right project car!

Thanks,
Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

For me, it was a 56 3 speed transmission with the 394 tailshaft. An original in great shape that only needed minor work. Looked high and low all across the country and finally came across one 50 miles from home. Traded straight across for another incorrect transmission I had. Unbelieveably lucky, from what I was told in the discussion board.

Also, I searched for and found an original oil pan for the 56 in non-shredded shape (still needed work), and a great set of 762 correct dated heads, and a perfect correct set of WCFB carburetors that didn't look like they had been stored in a submarine bilge for 20 years (like many that I have seen). All tough to find items.

Not a C1 part, but my K19 AIR pump bracket for my 66 427 California convertible was a bugger to find, too. Gold plated platinum, I believe. Shoot, all of this stuff is tough to get. I hope to not have to look for these items again...unless I find just the right project car!

Thanks,
Mark

Mark------


The AIR pump bracket was Corvette-only, only applicable to 427's, only applicable to the 1966-67 model years and only for those Corvettes sold in California. That sort of limited application does not bode well for parts availability.

[Michael H.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

What big block passenger car used a road draft tube? This one fits the valve cover fitting, the intake manifold bolt and the rear head bolt. I'm not aware of any other 396-427-454 that used a road draft tube?

Patrick,

I found a picture of an L88 Corvette road draft tube. (not the pic I was looking for though)
The configuration of the upper section of both the Corvette and passenger tubes look exactly the same but the the section just below the lower bracket that is attached to a clutch housing bolt is configured much differently.
The difference in configuration would have been because of differences in the chassis.
The 3883265 Corvettte tube is on the left. The 3879941 passenger car tube is on the right.

[Richard M.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

How about NOS or good used General Jet Air II W/W tires for a mid-year?
No repops avaliable!

[Patrick B.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

Patrick,

I found a picture of an L88 Corvette road draft tube. (not the pic I was looking for though)
The configuration of the upper section of both the Corvette and passenger tubes look exactly the same but the the section just below the lower bracket that is attached to a clutch housing bolt is configured much differently.
The difference in configuration would have been because of differences in the chassis.
The 3883265 Corvettte tube is on the left. The 3879941 passenger car tube is on the right.

Well, I guess I have a part so rare that I didn't even know it existed. Was there something like an L-88 passenger car?

[Greg L.]

Re: What is the hardest to get part?

The hardest "part" for me to get is Cortez Silver lacquer that looks like it should......