1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

[Paul L.]

The driver's side exhaust manifold/exhaust pipe doughnut gasket on my 1974 L-48 is going bad and leaking; just poof-poof for now. I know the local GM dealer people pretty well and dropped by last week to see if they would do the job. They don't have the gasket? There are none in Canada and it has to come from the USA? So they ordered one and I'll have the job done next week. (To answer the obvious question I trust them with my car more than the local Midas.)

But the price is $15.00!! Just out of curiousity I priced one at a parts shop and it was $3.00. The latter is a graphite fiber material (made in Mexico) and looks rather flimsy. Can anyone tell me why the GM version is pricier? I note in the various catalogues that some gaskets are metal rather than fiber. Is that the case here and is that a better part? Unfortunately I did not scribble down the part number for reference.

I know this is trivia but I am curious.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

The metal part is much better, but costs $1.65-$2.19 at local parts stores here in Michigan. I know this because I purchased 3 of them a couple of weeks ago. One of the AutoZone stores wanted $5+ but matched the other store that sent me there as it had them in stock.

GM markup is the extra $10 or more.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

The driver's side exhaust manifold/exhaust pipe doughnut gasket on my 1974 L-48 is going bad and leaking; just poof-poof for now. I know the local GM dealer people pretty well and dropped by last week to see if they would do the job. They don't have the gasket? There are none in Canada and it has to come from the USA? So they ordered one and I'll have the job done next week. (To answer the obvious question I trust them with my car more than the local Midas.)

But the price is $15.00!! Just out of curiousity I priced one at a parts shop and it was $3.00. The latter is a graphite fiber material (made in Mexico) and looks rather flimsy. Can anyone tell me why the GM version is pricier? I note in the various catalogues that some gaskets are metal rather than fiber. Is that the case here and is that a better part? Unfortunately I did not scribble down the part number for reference.

I know this is trivia but I am curious.

Paul------


The original packing ("donut gasket") used on your car was GM #6271611 which is a "fiber"-type, "soft" packing. It's still available from GM under that part number and carries a GM list price of $3.77.

The sintered iron-type packing was first used for the 1975 model year but can be used for any earlier application with 2" manifold outlets. The part number is GM #3731062 and it GM lists for $4.51.

Caution: the GM list prices I have shown above are for the USA; Canadian list may be different.

[Paul L.]

Re: 1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

Thanks for the replies. I can only surmise that a shipping cost is built in somewhere.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

Thanks for the replies. I can only surmise that a shipping cost is built in somewhere.

Paul------


...or, additional dealer mark-up. Many dealers use a "list price escalator" program on parts, especially those with a relatively low GM list price. Also, parts installed by GM dealer service departments are usually never discounted.

So, could the "price escalator" program actually change a 4 buck list price part to a 15 buck part? You bet!

[Paul L.]

Re: 1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

Paul------


...or, additional dealer mark-up. Many dealers use a "list price escalator" program on parts, especially those with a relatively low GM list price. Also, parts installed by GM dealer service departments are usually never discounted.

So, could the "price escalator" program actually change a 4 buck list price part to a 15 buck part? You bet!

Interesting. Makes you wonder why anyone would buy GM parts (including me ).

[Terry M.]

Re: 1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

Interesting. Makes you wonder why anyone would buy GM parts (including me ).

Paul,
Some Chevrolet dealers parts departments are happy to offer enthusiasts a discount (sometimes a substantial discount) from list prices. I can't imagine that this does not happen in Canada, but it may be more difficult to establish.

In some cases it takes a car club establishing a relationship with a dealer, and other times an individual can establish a friendship with someone in the parts department. Some people who work at dealerships (in the front of the store or in the back) are car guys -- to others it is just a job. You have to find the former and chat them up. It takes time and effort, but it can be done.

[Pat M.]

Re: 1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

Paul,
Some Chevrolet dealers parts departments are happy to offer enthusiasts a discount (sometimes a substantial discount) from list prices. I can't imagine that this does not happen in Canada, but it may be more difficult to establish.

In some cases it takes a car club establishing a relationship with a dealer, and other times an individual can establish a friendship with someone in the parts department. Some people who work at dealerships (in the front of the store or in the back) are car guys -- to others it is just a job. You have to find the former and chat them up. It takes time and effort, but it can be done.

Good point Terry. I've established just such a friendship with a couple guys in my local Chevy dealer's parts department and they consistently give me pretty good discounts off list price. As you say, it can be done.

[Paul L.]

Re: 1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

Paul,
Some Chevrolet dealers parts departments are happy to offer enthusiasts a discount (sometimes a substantial discount) from list prices. I can't imagine that this does not happen in Canada, but it may be more difficult to establish.

In some cases it takes a car club establishing a relationship with a dealer, and other times an individual can establish a friendship with someone in the parts department. Some people who work at dealerships (in the front of the store or in the back) are car guys -- to others it is just a job. You have to find the former and chat them up. It takes time and effort, but it can be done.

Terry,

This GM dealership is not only competent in the shop but also in the parts department. They treat me well. There are "car people" in both areas. They
respect the care I give to my old rubber bumper car.



As to the Club side, we are pretty well organized and can get discounts. I have been a member for many years.

http://www.capitalcorvetteclub.ca/

[Terry M.]

Re: 1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

Terry,

This GM dealership is not only competent in the shop but also in the parts department. They treat me well. There are "car people" in both areas. They
respect the care I give to my old rubber bumper car.

As to the Club side, we are pretty well organized and can get discounts. I have been a member for many years.

http://www.capitalcorvetteclub.ca/

Then you ought to be able to do better on the price of that gold plated doughnut. Maybe Tim Horton's will give you a better deal?

[Paul L.]

Re: 1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

Then you ought to be able to do better on the price of that gold plated doughnut. Maybe Tim Horton's will give you a better deal?

Timmy's does not give me a discount...although I do have their coffee each morning: decaf, X-large, double cream.

All kidding aside, I will be driving tomorrow. Wow, looks like sun and 80*F! Compared to Honda fart pipes my poot-poot pales by comparison (and N14 pipes and 108db .) That is LOUD! Yes, I read about the dilemma in Finland.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1974 Exhaust Donut Gasket - Gold-Plated?

One of the joys of our recent trip to the Ontario Regional was a stop at Tim Horton's. VERY good coffee -- leaded, black, china