I know its only a radiator hose but how about some quality control...not even close!

Pictures below - top hose is original from my car, second hose is the special order "correct stamp" hose, bottom is AutoZone version.

A close up of the GM stamps...really? Also, where's the yellow line and markings?

And to make matters worse...the word "TOP" is stamped upside down on the hose when compared to the original hose.

I purchased online at Wilcox and this is not about them - I know they'll make it right but I paid $40 delivered for one "correct stamped" radiator hose and this is what I got? I stopped by AutoZone tonight - purchased upper and lower hose, new thermostat, housing gasket and rubber lines for transmission cooler - total bill; $38.

I'll gladly pay for quality replacement parts but not this.

Okay, RANT off....no worth getting too excited about

 

I know you say it's not about the vendor you purchased from, and thats big of you, but as in any business we need to take pride in what we peddle or we are just in it for the money. I know in my line of work, I will not push, talk about or sell any product that does not meet the intended standard. There are too many vendors pushing too many parts that knowone really monitors what they sell. It's a shame. I have done a bit of business with this vendor and can say they are among the best to deal with. They will do what it take to satisfy you but it really should not come to this. I feel your pain. Sorry this happened and wish you better luck in the future. I say "luck" because most of the time thats what it is.

 

Just had the same issue happen to me. Bought a heater core purposely from a reputable corvette parts vendor, arrived today and its not right in so many different areas. To make it worse upon opening the box I received a instruction booklet showing its made by Spectra. I could have bought one from my local autozone made by Spectra for nearly half the price I paid for this thing. I worked in parts for Mercedes Benz for nearly 20 years and was spoiled by the ability to order factory parts regardless of age of the car.

 

I could be wrong about this, but I think there are only so many companies manufacturing most of the reproduction parts for our Vettes. In fact, I would bet most of the parts are made by ONE manufacturer. So, doesn't matter whether you buy the stuff from Ecklers, Zip, Corvette America, Volunteer Vette, Willcox, MidAmerica, Keen, Bairs, or Dr. It all comes from the same place. Of course, nobody will tell you this, but I think it true. You can't tell when you get it, cause everyone will package it with their own label. I have bought a bunch of parts over the last few years, and lots of it comes from Corvette America, who knows where they get it.

Just sayin....!

 

I'm not picking on the OP, but I find this post pretty funny.

People are constantly complaining here, about the quality of reproduction parts. I've often read posts from people who swear they'll only use GM parts, either new, used original or NOS. Well the hose the OP received, I think is a "Genuine GM Part".

The 79-82 upper radiator hose is still available from Chevrolet, under it's original part number, 14016075. The hose the OP got, looks exactly like the current GM service replacement hose. The position of the hose is keeping me from getting a good look at the label, but it appears to be the GM parts label on it.

If I'm right, it's GM that made that hose with the upside down "TOP", and the incorrect "correct stamp" on it!

I think there is a repro hose on the market, that's a little better than the current GM one, but it doesn't have the yellow alignment stripe on it either. The hose used on the assembly line, had the yellow stripe, but the GM service ones, never have.

For all the people who have to have GM parts, and think that only the aftermarket is capable of making substandard parts, guess what, GM makes a lot of junk parts too!

This should be a warning to everyone, that just because a part is Genuine GM, or NOS GM, doesn't mean that it's correct, or of good quality! I have a small pile of GM NOS parts that were poorly made, assembled or plated, making them un-usable and un-salable.

 

i have been stung to by many inferior replacement parts and supposedly rebuilt ones.this has taken some of the fun out of the hobby for me and i wish it would not for others.the dayco hoses i bought were pierced with a plastic band at the sealing point of where they surround the radiator neck,a disgrace.to make things worse they had soft spots in the rubber.quality control,not! go gates.