A couple years ago I purchased a copy of a GM parts catalog from April, 1981 on CD. I bought it for reference on part numbers for my 69 SS but it is missing many parts that were discontinued by that time.

In your opinion, what is the best resource for finding genuine parts numbers? Are there earlier catalogs available?

Thanks!

Yep, there's the old paper catalogs available, usually found on ebay or swap meets. The are dated, so go for the earliest if there's more than 1 choice. They can be a little hard to work with until you get used to the GM system.

There's the same catalogs on CD now too, I have one at home. Got IT on ebay pretty cheap.

One other little secret I use is the Motors (and others) Flat Rate and Crash Estimating Guides. They also have original part numbers, are a little easier to sift through. They don't have every little trinket, but most of those are probably not available anyway. Both types of books provide the shop/estimator the part number so they could call and get pricing and availability.

Sometimes some of the smaller resto parts places will use the GM part number as thier stocking number, it's another trick I use. Once you get a part number, you need to run it through GM parts to see if the part has been discontinued, updated and replaced, or is still available under that number. That part I can do for you if you give me the part number(s). I only have so much time, and don't have the old books at my fingertips here at work anyway, but I can let the 'puter do some work for me.

go to:

www.gmpartsdirect.com

I got this disc for $20 lots of info on part #s and pictureshttp://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEVROLET-NOVA-CHEVELLE-1969-69-1970-70-1972-72_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6755QQihZ003QQitemZ1 30076708212QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230086902013&rd=1,1

this guy is selling one, seems like a super nice guy too ;)

That looks like a good resource. Good luck.

I have used GM Parts Direct to order new parts. Problem is they are only useful for current parts and don't provide a good resource for researching original part numbers.

The cover had a mis-print. They spelled Catalog wrong http://bestsmileys.com/wink/3.gif