I went to an O'Rielly's auto to get some wires for my car.After checking his computer he told me he didn't have them in stock, but they can be ordered. I had to say something to the effect of only 8 million of these motors being made and you ain't got parts. He said sorry. Then I said give me wires for a 74 ford truck w/ a 300 six, betcha got them. Yes. I figured they would all work anyway. They even come with 3 wires having an angle to them at the plug. Work good, still pisses me off though.

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ifyoubegintothinkyou'relosingcontrol...it'salreadygone

I assume your talking about spark plug wires? I know Autolite still makes them, so does Borg-Warner. Try you local Checker/Kragen (don't know what its called in Texas) or Napa. Or, you could get some Accel or MSD cut to length wires. You may not be able to use the boots on 8MM wires, but you dont really need them anyway.

You need to learn to play the parts store game. If they don't have the part for a '63, I would bet they had the part for a '73 or for that matter a '83. The A-body had a production run of 16 years. Basic chassis parts interchange during that whole production run. The good ole \6 had a production run of 29 years. All of the external parts interchange.

The computers only go back so far and the young guys aren't trained to use the books. I regularily buy chassis parts for a '75 Dart and engine parts for a '78 Aspen. Sometimes I do both at the same time. I sure get some werid looks from the counter person. But never a question on what I am doing.

For example:

My '65 Dart has the suspension from a '75 Dart (disk brakes, 8.25 axle, front sway bar, V8 T-bars, 5 leaf springs). The centerlink is from a V8 65 Dart (1" lower drop in the center section). The SuperSix engine from a '78 Aspen, the 4 speed transmission and driveshaft from a '64 Dart. The wiring harness is spliced together from the OE '65 and a '75 Dart. The radiator is HD one for a '76 Aspen with AC. The overflow catch can is from ebay. My front 15x5.5 rims are from a '72 Dodge 1/2 ton. The rear 15x7 rims are from a '77 Cordoba. The 60 amp alternator is for a '75 Dart. The aluminum master cylinder from a '80 Volare. My "dog dish" hub caps are from a '67 Dart and I am told my fully adjustable buckets seats are from a Toyota.

When you're right, you're right. "Lessee, a Duster, now that's a Pontiac, right" <------- quote from pimply faced kid at Idiot Auto Partz.....

D/W

P. S. - Here's what I do on those plug wires: I carefully remove the special boot from the old wires (for the plug tubes), usually a little heat (soak in hot water) and/or some silicone spray helps, then I put them on the new wires. Of course if I see a set with good boots in the junkyard, I get 'em...

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

NAPA has wires with boots, but they had to order a couple different part numbers before they got the right parts.

When I go to the local (deleted) store, I just go on the computer myself, and look up my own parts. If the computer says "check paper catalog", I do that myself also. I have been buying so many parts, when it is busy, i even go in back and pull my own parts, take them to the counter, and check out. Nobody gives me a hard time about it.
I originally posted the name of the parts store, then deleted it. I don't want to get anyone in trouble, since this has to be against corporate policy.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

That's funny, Charlie because I do the same thing at various nameless "part stores". Hell, I think they appreciate it because you're saving them work, and they don't have to deal with you! I've even had people come up and thought I worked there and I waited on them! Freaks them out when I say "oh, you'll have to pay one of them, I don't work here" ...maybe I should just take their money, too!

The time I did working and juggling hats at NAPA learnt me a lot about the parts biz. I challenge you to find anyone at an Idiot Auto Partz, particularly someone younger than 35 who knows how to look something up in a catalog... Hell, if they find it, they don't know how to get it. There are a few old-time part stores out there with knowledgable countermen who have actually worked on cars (besides bolting rims and spoilers and bling-bling on their "tuner"), but they are a dying breed.

D/W

P. S. - A favorite Idiot Auto Partz example... Q: "I need eight RN12YC Champion Plugs, please." Response: "What do they fit?" My response to that: "eight spark plug holes"

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If it ain't broke, fix it!

Ha! I thought that idiot auto parts were only avalible in Argentina most of the time I have to go thru the parts dealer shelfs to find what I'm lookin for. Most of the stores I go knows me and will let me do that. Sometimes, when I go to a new place, they will have the item I have right in front of their moronic pair of eyes and still say "nah, we don't have that" and I actually have to get into a small struggle for getting that piece...

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Juan Ignacio Caino

Please use e-mail button istead of PM'ing. I do log in sometimes but I'll be answering quicker thru e-mail.

I love my localy owned parts store. They're the kind of folk that drive older cars, and work on them themselves. One guy told me to buy the $20 torque wrench instead of the $50 one, because he likes it better than the Snap-on one that someone stole from him. Another guy tells me about his old buddies \6 4spd Dart that pulled wheelies.

DW, that is to funny.

-zorg

p.s. Me: "I need a bumper for an S10." NAPA (Looking in book): "Can I call you back, I have a lot of listings in Ford..."

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yeah, but here in the wheat state, them there good ole' boy counter men would just as soon go to the dentist, as help the lowly old car guy-- they have corporate accounts & the the telephone - who needs walk -up cash carrying customers.. I know the chain stores don't know much -- but I'm not asking for advice-- just get me back to the shed so I can fix my ride!!!!!!!!

It's not the advice. It's the look of recognition on their faces when you're talking about a part - All you'll get at Idiot Auto Partz is a blank stare and glazed over eyes!

Nope, even if they know parts, I wouldn't go to a parts counterman for mechanical advice. What I like is you can throw a part down on the table, and unless it's something really obscure, they can usually walk right in the back and get it, or at least tell you what it fits

I know what you mean about shop and business accounts. But if you find the right part store (not many around any more) develop a good rapport with them and buy a lot of stuff, they usually treat you right.

D/W

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If it ain't broke, fix it!