what kind of parts

[roskoe]

ok we haev this problem of going to the local auto part store for engine parts . we have a 1976 argosy motorhome with a 454 in it. when i am trying to get parts for it what else should i know. they always ask what body style 1/2ton 3/4 ton or 1ton or if iits for a van chassie (sp) what can i tell them so i get the right parts.

thanks in advance
matt

[thenewkid64]

Matt,

Welcome to the forum!

I run into the same problem with my 76 Argosy MH. Normally if you tell them it is a Chevy, P30 Motorhome chassis they can find it. I sometimes do not tell them it is a Motorhome until they find the Chevrolet P30 section. Some of the computerized parts lists have just P30, othres break it down with Heavy Duty (motorhome) and just P30.

Most of the big retail chain stores like Advanced, AutoZone, Checkers, can help, but more often than you would like you get the Waaaaaaaht??

Napa seems to be better and I can even tell them it is an Argosy Motorhome and they find me the parts.

Now for the gotchas. The parts books are often wrong, or a PO or PO's Mechanic has at some time replaced parts and used the wrong ones. My U Joints were a perfect example. The front one that was in the book at NAPA was right on. The rest of the ones they sold me were the wrong size. When I returned them they said, "we can get you those, but that is not what the book says the manufacturer installed". I doubt tha someone upgraded the U joints on my coach .

If possible it is best to try to take the part with you, that is why I am heading to NAPA today to return a carrier bearing that was the wrong type.

[85MH325]

On my '84 P-30 chassis.

There must have been mid-year changes in many of the early chassis because some of the parts for my '85 Airstream with an '84 P-30 chassis were actually '83 parts. Some are just plain unknown. The steering stabilizer needed to be replaced, so I ordered a Bilstein for the '84 chassis. Didn't fit; had a post on one end instead of two round mounts. Still didn't fit; same stabilizer. Returned it and got another. Returned that one and went to another parts store. Got the one listed and it was the same as the other two. Finally got the right stabilizer, but the hardware was wrong. Fortunately, the parts guy was kind enough to take the hardware out of one and put it with the stabilizer I needed. He said he'd just return the other as defective. THAT's service.

Sometimes the parts quest can be quite an odyssey.

Roger