Thread: Followed Me Home II

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I decided to make a run to the auto parts store to get transmission fluid for the torque converter pre-fill and some water pump gaskets. I decided on O'Reilly's because they seem to have guys that actually wrench some, but just to be sure I carried my pump along. I set it on the counter, all shiny and tell him it's a GM crate engine, so pick any Gen I small block 350 and it'll be good. "OK, like maybe 1995?"
Yep, a 1995 350 Chevy, any model and we'll be good. After far too many key strokes, "That's a 5.7, right?" Well yes, a 350 CI engine equates to a 5.7L, you're good with that. Key strokes continue, "What type pump is that?" With a look that he couldn't have misunderstood I replied, "That would be a water pump." What other choices does it give you? He brought back the single gasket with the two ports, one large and one small and we ended up saying just give me two of those and I'll cut it down.

At home, I went on their website to the "Order Online, Pick Up in Store" and they only have the one with the two ports! The kid was right, but had no idea what he was doing. While he was gone looking I'd asked one of the other guys about a big washer for a steering support joint, and he said, "We used to sell individual nuts, bolts, washers and other stuff, but now all we have is the HELPs blister packs. Some guy at headquarters decided it wasted too much time..... The days of a full service parts store with real parts guys are gone!