Guys,
Many of us who buy used parts would like to first know what a fair price for that part is, and/or what other guys are charging and what junk yards are charging for that part so we, the used part buyer, have a decent idea of what a good deal, steal and bad deal is. For example I looked through the classifieds to get an idea of what an 84 disc brake 3.73 posi rear sells for, so I knew if $200 was fair, high or low, this way I wasn't getting taken. I didn't find info there or anywhere else to indicate what kind of deal I was getting. My only conclusion was that it costs about $200+ to buy 3.73 gears and the gear change kit from Summit or Jegs. Then there is the installation labor, so I figured that $200 wasn't too bad, though the rear does need new calipers.
I suggest that a new section be created, or the vendor/parts section be modified to give us used parts buyers this knowledge and empowerment. I could forsee this index be set up in major section listings by basic groups, then alphabetically and then by specific part variaition in a vertical format. Then going horizontally from left to right, the viewer would be able to lookup or post information about that particular item, such as GM price listing, availability, junk yard price a section guys like me would chime in (just bought 10 bolt 84 disc brake posi 3.73 gears $200), then continue with a column of part interchangabiltiy ( 82-85 calipers interchange only) , followed by a typical inherent problem section ( calipers not prone to be adjusted correctly) followed by a section that gives the typical solution to the repair.
By having such a parts price and interchangabitilty type section, it would greatly reduce the amount of research time it takes to read posts, usually which are not related to the information you are looking for anyway, and empower us all better with this quick reference chart.
I just steered clear of buying L69 heads at the junk yard for $125 because a few members said they were common, gave the part number to look for when searching for them on other vehicles, one member said that they interchanged with Caprice's and he wouldn't pay more than $25 for the pair, while another member said he had a set given to him.
This is the type of quick reference information that I look for. This section would also help the same questions from being asked over and over. A final column of this spread sheet, could be thread post links for the researcher to do more thorough followup investigation at.
Not being familiar with the creation of web pages, I have no idea how complex what I am suggesting can be accomplished, but I am surprised that this forum and the Vette forum that I belong to have not begun to compile this type of user index.
Just food for thought. Please post your suggestions and comments so that maybe the powers that be will take notice of a "need" that us grass roots, low buck, do-it-yourselfers have.
Knowledge is power, and I need ... more...p.o.w.e.r....Scotty!
Be cool!
"TEACH"

 

I totaly agree.

 

Is this not what our Aftermarket Review boards and the SEARCH feature are for?!?!

 

IROCZ,
I thought the aftermarket review board was for new aftermarket parts, not used parts prices. I have never visited that board, but does it list the part numbers of the original factory parts people are inquiring about, does it mention common inherent problems with factory parts, does it list the intechangability of parts from one vehicle to another and the years and types of vehicles they can be found on, does it allow the user to have an idea of repair solutions to the inherent problems found with the factory parts, if there is a better fix? I don't know if it does or doesn't, because I thought the aftermarket parts review board was just for aftermarket parts which is why I don't visit it. I want to use the most desiralble factory parts to build a cheap, but stocking looking highly optioned out, desirable f-body.
Also, I have used the search feature, and maybe I am not using it correctly, but sorted through tons of posts when looking for L69 head info. The search gave me every post that had the word head in the post, even in the signature. It was a big waste of time. The spread sheet chart I propose would be soooo much more easy to use and could have a link to the best posts on the topic as well as allow the user to add to the best posts threads, rather than contunually having the same topic mulled over and over because of the chronological order which they are posted. Why read 20 seperate discussions on the same topic you have to mull through them to determine which ones are worth reading, when you could just read a main thread and add to it regardless of the time of year it was discussed.
Maybe I'm in left feild on this one, but it takes too long to get to the dugout from way out their.
Be cool!
"TEACH"

 

87,

U can find any info like that on the Tech Board (which deals with all internal engine stuff and whatever), TPI (L98, LB9), TBI (CFI, L03) and Carburetor, (obviously for the carbureted engines). Just ask. Maybe I don't get this, I don't know??

When u do a search, click the thing that searchs the topics instead of the posts for what you are looking for. It works better. Be cool too!!