GM parts

[Jim T.]

Went to my local Chevrolet dealership today to see if a part was still available for my 1996 LT4 engine. Took my 96's service manual and showed the counter parts man that the crankshaft position sensor was to have a new seal installed before re-installation

of the crankshaft position sensor. Told the counter parts man I needed one. He said it was probably not available. He started looking using his computer and found that it was still available and he could have it tomorrow.

Like the counter man, I had doubts that it would be available for an 18 year old Corvette. Part # 10476885 2.383 was ordered at a cost of $4.03.

I have had a very small seepage leak from 1996's LT4 crankshaft position sensor for some time and had always thought the new seal would not be available.

[Joe L.]

Re: GM parts

Went to my local Chevrolet dealership today to see if a part was still available for my 1996 LT4 engine. Took my 96's service manual and showed the counter parts man that the crankshaft position sensor was to have a new seal installed before re-installation

of the crankshaft position sensor. Told the counter parts man I needed one. He said it was probably not available. He started looking using his computer and found that it was still available and he could have it tomorrow.

Like the counter man, I had doubts that it would be available for an 18 year old Corvette. Part # 10476885 2.383 was ordered at a cost of $4.03.

I have had a very small seepage leak from 1996's LT4 crankshaft position sensor for some time and had always thought the new seal would not be available.

Jim------


I'm not surprised, at all, that this seal is available; I'd be surprised if it were not. This seal has extremely wide application and was used on all GM car and truck lines. This is the kind of part that that usually has very long legs with GMSPO. I'll bet it's also available in the aftermarket.

It's the Corvette-unique parts, especially those used for only a few model years, that suffer the dreaded "discontinued" syndrome.

Addendum:
It's also available through AC-Delco dealers under Delco #219-194

[Jim T.]

Re: GM parts

Joe,

I also inquired about ordering a bezel that was still available in only gray and needed a black one. The bezel surrounds the latch release at the top of the seat on my 96. I was going to order the gray one and paint it until I was told how much it cost.
I was told $42.xx.
Thanks for the AC-Delco part #219-194.

[Bill H.]

Re: GM parts

Jim, just happen to have a catalog in front of me, Volunteer Vettes - p/n 4IH05 - $12.00

[Jim T.]

Re: GM parts

Bill $12.00 is more than twice the cost of the seal at my local Chevrolet dealership. Picked up the part today. The part came in a bag of 5, so the dealership has 4 now on the parts shelf. The seal is only an O-Ring and it is not a thick O-Ring. The type of material it is made of I do not know. I know that O-Rings used in air conditioning fittings are special material. I do not know if a standard O-Ring bought at an auto parts store would serve the purpose.

[Bill H.]

Re: GM parts

Jim, that's the bezel, not the seal. Shoulda mentioned that.

[Joe L.]

Re: GM parts

Bill $12.00 is more than twice the cost of the seal at my local Chevrolet dealership. Picked up the part today. The part came in a bag of 5, so the dealership has 4 now on the parts shelf. The seal is only an O-Ring and it is not a thick O-Ring. The type of material it is made of I do not know. I know that O-Rings used in air conditioning fittings are special material. I do not know if a standard O-Ring bought at an auto parts store would serve the purpose.

Jim------


You're lucky. Usually, when a special-order part not normally stocked by the dealership is supplied by GMSPO in package of more than 1, the dealership will want you to purchase the whole package. I've been told (but never confirmed) that requirement is against GM policy but, in any event, most dealerships do it anyway.

[Joe L.]

Re: GM parts

Joe,

I also inquired about ordering a bezel that was still available in only gray and needed a black one. The bezel surrounds the latch release at the top of the seat on my 96. I was going to order the gray one and paint it until I was told how much it cost.
I was told $42.xx.
Thanks for the AC-Delco part #219-194.

Jim------


Here's why: All of the 95-96 seat back latch release bezels are GM-discontinued and have been for quite awhile. However, at some point GMSPO transferred the small remaining stock to VPI, an outside vendor that supplies them until the stock is exhausted. GM dealers can order these parts directly from VPI. VPI usually sets a price considerably above the last GM list price. It's very understandable, though, considering the limited available inventory and their cost to warehouse and inventory-control the parts for what could be a long time. As a matter of fact, the gray version is the only one left and there are only 9 of these remaining.

I do not know if the part available from Corvette vendors is of the same quality as OEM. It may be exactly the same part from the same original manufacturer OR it may not be.

[Jim T.]

Re: GM parts

I again checked on the bezel when I was at my local Chevrolet parts counter today. The high price just did not seem right to me. The price today was $47.xx and the parts manager mentioned a dealer had some gray ones in stock. My broken one has not bother me that much. I usually load/unload the cargo area raising the rear glass.

[Terry M.]

Re: GM parts

I am pretty tight with the parts guys where I buy my parts and I always had to take the whole package, but then they always told me they enjoyed my business -- no matter how small the purchase. I bought the weirdest stuff and they said they always learned something from my purchases. I suppose it doesn't hurt that I usually had a part number for them, but they joked that some day I would find a truck frame waiting for me when I came in. Most of my purchases were back in the days before computers, thus the appreciation for coming with a part number.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: GM parts

I am pretty tight with the parts guys where I buy my parts and I always had to take the whole package, but then they always told me they enjoyed my business -- no matter how small the purchase. I bought the weirdest stuff and they said they always learned something from my purchases. I suppose it doesn't hurt that I usually had a part number for them, but they joked that some day I would find a truck frame waiting for me when I came in. Most of my purchases were back in the days before computers, thus the appreciation for coming with a part number.

I had the same experience with the parts manager in Auburn In. They got a cut of everything they sold & so was happy to see me come in with a big list. He loved that I had part #'S. He even gave me the old parts books when he got new ones & that's why I have parts books from the 80'S.It was nice to get parts in town & not have to order from a repo parts dealer 4 states away & at a lot less money. Ah the good old days.

[Terry M.]

Re: GM parts

I had the same experience with the parts manager in Auburn In. They got a cut of everything they sold & so was happy to see me come in with a big list. He loved that I had part #'S. He even gave me the old parts books when he got new ones & that's why I have parts books from the 80'S.It was nice to get parts in town & not have to order from a repo parts dealer 4 states away & at a lot less money. Ah the good old days.

When they went to computers I got all the old books. I am still, in my spare time, sorting them into 'Keep' and 'get rid of' piles.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: GM parts

When they went to computers I got all the old books. I am still, in my spare time, sorting them into 'Keep' and 'get rid of' piles.

The one I kept is from 1983. Its the parts book for 1953 to 1982 Corvettes. Sold all the others at my auction before I moved to AZ. Coming to Az. this year?

[Terry M.]

Re: GM parts

The one I kept is from 1983. Its the parts book for 1953 to 1982 Corvettes. Sold all the others at my auction before I moved to AZ. Coming to Az. this year?

No AZ this year Ken. That was a 'done it, got the T-shirt' last year. And AZ back to back with FL is too much of too many good things all at once.