Which Online Store is Best to Use for 1986 5.0L V8 Parts?

[Thomas_U]

I've finally gotten the engine block rebuilt for my old Chris Craft, and now I need a whole bunch of miscellaneous parts that go on it or near it. I figure there's no point putting semi-rusted junk back on a rebuilt block.

I've checked stores in the Fort Lauderdale area, e.g., West, Bow, Sailorman, etc., but my engine is too old, and they don't stock the parts. So, I've been checking online and have come up with a couple parts stores that seem to be okay, but I don't really know: www.perfprotech.com; www.michiganmotorz.com; www.marineengine.com; and some others.

I hope to be able to do business with only one store that stocks 99% of the parts I will need. Item price is only one factor. Reasonable S&H charges will be important, as well as their customer service poilicy if I bought the wrong size and need to return it.

Does anyone have experience with any of these online parts stores or others? Being new to this site, if there is an old thread on this subject that I'm not aware of, please point me to it. Any other advice/recommendations, will also be appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom
Hollywood, Florida

 

[achris]

Re: Which Online Store is Best to Use for 1986 5.0L V8 Parts?

...I've checked stores in the Fort Lauderdale area, e.g., West, Bow, Sailorman, etc., but my engine is too old, and they don't stock the parts. ...

Most parts for these engines are still available. Just because they don't stock them doesn't mean that will not get them in. Just give them the list of what you need and tell them to order them. Mercury Marine usually supply in a few days... You can use the on-line stores to check the latest part numbers, approximate price and availability....

Chris.......

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Which Online Store is Best to Use for 1986 5.0L V8 Parts?

That also depends on what you need. Engine-specific parts are as close as your Chevy dealer. Marine-specific items are another issue but does not mean they aren't available as pointed out.

 

[menglor]

Re: Which Online Store is Best to Use for 1986 5.0L V8 Parts?

so, I am about to start a rebuild for my project boat , its a Sunray 233 witha small block 350 v8 in it. from 1975.

I spent the last few weeks making a shopping list of what I need for the rebuilts, and in many cases some of the parts have changed numbers 2-3 times.

Since I havent actually purchased any of the parts yet, I dont know how well these 3 company's provide service, only that every time I search for a part there online system says they seem to have it.

so, I am ordered about 500-600 bucks in 2 - 50$ items, and I found that:

90% of my wish list is from http://www.go2marine.com

ebasicpower.com or perfprotech.com seems to have the rest of my parts.


in many cases, I looked up the part that i need from go2marine (prices seem cheap too), and spent about 10-15 minutes on some partnumbers cross matching it with other places.

I found that the iboats store was the most useful for figuring out old part numbers conversion to new numbers.


I will advise you to google every part number and check about 5-10 websites and maybe even chart them on a spreadsheet. its not overly obvious, but some of the parts can be cheaper by up to 10$, and like myself I am making a list of 40 or more items, its impressive to see how much you save going through the different stores.

but remember, you also have to pay for shipping, so find as many of your parts at one place, so make the wish list early on.

 

[achris]

Re: Which Online Store is Best to Use for 1986 5.0L V8 Parts?

... only that every time I search for a part there online system says they seem to have it....

None of the on-line stores have many parts 'in stock'. They will just order parts as required (to fill your order) from Mercury Marine. As Mercury do have most parts on hand, and ship daily, it gives the appearance that these on-line stores have the parts available at all times.... It's all done with smoke and mirrors, but if you get the parts you want, for the price you want, you don't really care how it's done do you....

 

[Don S]

Re: Which Online Store is Best to Use for 1986 5.0L V8 Parts?

If you are looking for after market parts, right here at iboats is the place to go for parts. http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...38099--submit.Search--submit.x.17--submit.y.6

 

[Thomas_U]

Re: Which Online Store is Best to Use for 1986 5.0L V8 Parts?

I want to thank everyone who responded to my question. All responses provided me with valuable information. I especially agree with Menglor that the major hassle with old engine parts is ascertaining the correct part number. But that doesn't end the problem, as usually you get a Mercruiser or AC/Delco part number, but then need to convert it to Sierra or Fram numbers, or whatever brand your local store carries. For example, I spent almost an hour (it seemed) trying to convert the AC spark plug number provided in the engine owner's manual to NGK, which is what local West and Bow stores carry. As I would prefer not to spend the extra money on my old boat to obtain genuine Mercruiser or GM parts in most cases, I will begin by checking Go2Marine.com and IBoats.com as my first choice over the other online stores I first mentioned. If I get stuck, rather than guess, then I will go to the local store and seek the expertise of their parts department personnel to get me the correct part, and just hope their mark-up is not excessive.
Thomas_U
Hollywood, Florida

 

[menglor]

Re: Which Online Store is Best to Use for 1986 5.0L V8 Parts?

honestly.

if your stuck, I am going to say your best bet is to check here. the wealth of information and the people here are usually quite impressive.

some of these guys have these things memorized, if you really get stuck, I would post here.