GM Part Numbers
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
John,
From “a been there done that a hundred times” stand point it would be pretty rare for the old assembly manual part number to still be a good number. Most of the screws and other small parts like nuts, bolts, washers and so on were listed in what GM called a “Standard Parts” catalog. This is why in the old parts books you only see a reference group number which is not in the regular parts book. (Example: 08.900 or 08.931) These are standard parts book reference groups.
In the 80’s it was quite common to find some good part numbers still in the books. However, when GM replaced a screw during production with a newer type of screw the old number would also be replaces as a superseded part number. While functionally these parts may be the same, the head may change, the color and other variances may be present.
Basically to cross old AIM part numbers to current part numbers would involve the old parts history books from GM combined with a massive volume of the Parts and Distribution price schedules. The old GM price books listed most of the part number changes in the month they happened. This is a very long and tedious job starting with one year and month price book and then moving upward until you find the part number, then moving backward until you find where it either discontinued or number changed. Then once you find the new part number you may find it is nothing like what the original part once was.
I have the books, and maybe someday we can scan them for quick reference but you have to figure that in most years, GM produced a new price book about four maybe five times a year. UGLY!
Willcox
From “a been there done that a hundred times” stand point it would be pretty rare for the old assembly manual part number to still be a good number. Most of the screws and other small parts like nuts, bolts, washers and so on were listed in what GM called a “Standard Parts” catalog. This is why in the old parts books you only see a reference group number which is not in the regular parts book. (Example: 08.900 or 08.931) These are standard parts book reference groups.
In the 80’s it was quite common to find some good part numbers still in the books. However, when GM replaced a screw during production with a newer type of screw the old number would also be replaces as a superseded part number. While functionally these parts may be the same, the head may change, the color and other variances may be present.
Basically to cross old AIM part numbers to current part numbers would involve the old parts history books from GM combined with a massive volume of the Parts and Distribution price schedules. The old GM price books listed most of the part number changes in the month they happened. This is a very long and tedious job starting with one year and month price book and then moving upward until you find the part number, then moving backward until you find where it either discontinued or number changed. Then once you find the new part number you may find it is nothing like what the original part once was.
I have the books, and maybe someday we can scan them for quick reference but you have to figure that in most years, GM produced a new price book about four maybe five times a year. UGLY!
Willcox
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
GM Corvette Parts and Illustration Catalogue. A new one was issued to GM dealerships every model year. You can find these with the aftermarket providers or ebay, and on CD. I have two; one from 1980 and one from 1982. 82 edition is on CD.
Attempt to find the oldest you can locate containing your model year.
Something to keep in mind: a great many original parts shown in the AIMs were replaced with newer "service replacement" parts as time went by. "Service Replacement" means the new part will function exactly like the old part it replaced, but may look different. The Parts and Illustration Catalogue often lists service replacement parts. No big deal unless you need an original or NOS part for judging purposes.
Attempt to find the oldest you can locate containing your model year.
Something to keep in mind: a great many original parts shown in the AIMs were replaced with newer "service replacement" parts as time went by. "Service Replacement" means the new part will function exactly like the old part it replaced, but may look different. The Parts and Illustration Catalogue often lists service replacement parts. No big deal unless you need an original or NOS part for judging purposes.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,218
Likes: 4,302
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi John,
One of the parts books I use is called 'CORVETTE PARTS BOOK 1953-1972'. It was published by Motorbooks International.
I bought it at Carlisle from a vendor called Crank'en Hope, 412-459-8853. It has a whole lot of what I look for, but not everything.
I'm not sure if this is the same book as Mike just mentioned or not.
Regards,
Alan
One of the parts books I use is called 'CORVETTE PARTS BOOK 1953-1972'. It was published by Motorbooks International.
I bought it at Carlisle from a vendor called Crank'en Hope, 412-459-8853. It has a whole lot of what I look for, but not everything.
I'm not sure if this is the same book as Mike just mentioned or not.
Regards,
Alan
