Question for Joe Lucia Is GM #14003874 valve cap (retainer) discontinued?

[Mike E.]

The small block valve cap (retainer) originally GM #389693 then discontinued and replaced by GM #14003874 available anymore. I'm coming up blank on GM parts websites?

Perhaps there is a new number?

Thanks!
Mike

[John D.]

Re: Question for Joe Lucia...Is GM #14003874 valve cap (retainer) discontinued?

mike

Just checked the catalog......Part discontinued no longer available...FWIW p/n 14003874 comes up as a IP panel extension for a 1978 G-van

[Edward B.]

Re: Question for Joe Lucia...Is GM #14003874 valve cap (retainer) discontinued?

You mean 3896934 superceeded by 14003974, which I show to still be able from your local GM dealer.

Ed

[Mike E.]

Re: Question for Joe Lucia...Is GM #14003874 valve cap (retainer) discontinued?

You mean 3896934 superceeded by 14003974, which I show to still be able from your local GM dealer.

Ed

Thank you! I got the number from this post and this post.

Must have been a typo.

Mike

[John D.]

Re: Question for Joe Lucia...Is GM #14003874 valve cap (retainer) discontinued?

It's currently in stock at Facility 058- Willow Run, Mi......

[Joe L.]

Re: Question for Joe Lucia...Is GM #14003874 valve cap (retainer) discontinued?

Thank you! I got the number from this post and this post.

Must have been a typo.

Mike

Mike-----


Yup, I blew it on that part number in that old post. The correct number is GM #14003974 and it's still available from GM.

[Duke W.]

Re: Question for Joe Lucia...Is GM #14003874 valve cap (retainer) discontinued?

I bet Sealed Power VSR7021 is a lot less expensive.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: Question for Joe Lucia...Is GM #14003874 valve cap (retainer) discontinued?

I bet Sealed Power VSR7021 is a lot less expensive.

Duke

Duke----


Yes, the VSR 7021 is definitely less expensive. However, the configuration of the GM #14003974 and the VSR 7021 is slightly different so they're definitely not the same part packed under different brands. Furthermore, the GM #14003974 is an OEM part; the VSR 7021 is aftermarket. Are they both of the same quality? I don't know but I doubt it.

[Duke W.]

Re: Question for Joe Lucia...Is GM #14003874 valve cap (retainer) discontinued?

The 14... number crosses to VSR7021 at napaonline.com. My old Corvette parts catalog shows valve retainers as 3729363 for 55-66 (1 3/16" OD, stamped H), 3896934 for '67-'78 (1 13/32" OD, stamped A), which is 7/32" larger OD, and this corresponds to the introduction of the new 3911068 valve spring. 140039074 is listed for '75-'81 with no identifying notes.

GM doesn't actually manufacture any of these small engine parts. They're mostly manufactured by Federal Mogul and Dana Corp. and available, retail, in their own house brands like Sealed Power and Clevite at much lower prices than the same part in a GM box from a dealer.

Are they the same quality? Absolutely, they came from the same plant using the same production processes. F-M and Dana are Tier I automotive suppliers that manufacture both current model and older model parts. Sealed Power and Clevite OE replacement parts are the same thing as what GM sells in a GM box.

"Aftermaket" can have different meanings. F-M and Dana and other manufacturers that manufacture parts for the OEMs to their drawings/specifications usually sell the same parts in their own brands through the "aftermarket". Some "aftermarket" manufacturers that do no sell direct to the OEMs may not necessarily meet Tier I supplier quality standards, and what they manufacture and sell may not be equivalent to OE design and quality.

In any event the OP should exercise extreme due diligence since I suspect there may be catalog errors, and he needs to select a retainer that is correct for the installed valve springs.

Duke

[Joe L.]

Re: Question for Joe Lucia...Is GM #14003874 valve cap (retainer) discontinued?

The 14... number crosses to VSR7021 at napaonline.com. My old Corvette parts catalog shows valve retainers as 3729363 for 55-66 (1 3/16" OD, stamped H), 3896934 for '67-'78 (1 13/32" OD, stamped A), which is 7/32" larger OD, and this corresponds to the introduction of the new 3911068 valve spring. 140039074 is listed for '75-'81 with no identifying notes.

GM doesn't actually manufacture any of these small engine parts. They're mostly manufactured by Federal Mogul and Dana Corp. and available, retail, in their own house brands like Sealed Power and Clevite at much lower prices than the same part in a GM box from a dealer.

Are they the same quality? Absolutely, they came from the same plant using the same production processes. F-M and Dana are Tier I automotive suppliers that manufacture both current model and older model parts. Sealed Power and Clevite OE replacement parts are the same thing as what GM sells in a GM box.

"Aftermaket" can have different meanings. F-M and Dana and other manufacturers that manufacture parts for the OEMs to their drawings/specifications usually sell the same parts in their own brands through the "aftermarket". Some "aftermarket" manufacturers that do no sell direct to the OEMs may not necessarily meet Tier I supplier quality standards, and what they manufacture and sell may not be equivalent to OE design and quality.

In any event the OP should exercise extreme due diligence since I suspect there may be catalog errors, and he needs to select a retainer that is correct for the installed valve springs.

Duke

Duke-----


The GM #14003974 replaced the 3896934 and SERVICES all applications originally using the 3896934. It is used for all small block applications through 1991 except those using a rotator on the exhaust valve.

If the Federal-Mogul/Sealed Power VSR 7021 was the same as the 14003974 then I would expect either part to appear absolutely identical. However, as I mentioned, they are not identical.