JY prices fair?

[Moonkilla1]

So a bit of back story. I was at work today and around 11:15 am I did my usual LKQ inventory look up and seen this



So I cashed in a few hours of sick time and was on the highway by 11:30 am to jump on it b4 anyone could touch her.

I get there and the only thing missing is the steering wheel andthe beautiful 3300 untouched and ready for my wrenching.



She only had 100k on her and spider webs all over, no warped dash and the plastic on dash was wasn't even broken. I believe she was garage kept. But time was VERY limited so I had to grab what I went for and book. First thing I did was call Keith to figure out how to get the fuel injectors off.



The car was very high so I had to get in there.

SUCCESS!!


After that I got the coils and that thing they sit on. The rest is here in a pic



This was right next to her as well but wasn't 100% sure on what I could grab in the time I was working with




That motor mount bracket is to replace the piece I have left, someone cut it off before I bought the car I figured it will be better for the car having the whole thing




Well time for check out! I lay my harvest on the counter and all is well because I'm at 34 bucks and the only thing left to add is the injectors. They gotta be 3-4 bucks each at least right? Nope! Those 6 injectors ran the bill up to $132.00 I was shocked!

It's my first time going for injectors so maybe I shouldn't be surprised but to me it seems way to expensive; needless to say, they were left behind.

I don't "need" anything I bought today I just want to collect a few things I see fellow forum members grabbing in there yards.

I'm on the PM train and also don't believe luck comes without preparing and opportunity as Earl Nightingale would say.

Anyway if you guys feel the same about a few items in your yards I would definitely like to hear about it. Just thought I would share.

boy oh boy this whole situation made me want to wear my grandpa knee high socks and walkout with 12 injectors next time as payment for my sorrows lol

[bdiermeier]

I've been noticing the same thing at my local yard on my trips lately, the prices have been outrageous. My most recent trip was for parts for my 2000 Century, I needed a headlight and a driver side window switch. They wanted $30 for the switch, and $50 for the headlight! I could find the headlight NEW online for cheaper than that (It was just the housing, no sockets, bulbs, etc), and the window switch was also only $5 more to buy brand new. Both parts got left, and I'm trying to find a better yard in my area.

[Moonkilla1]

Wow yea bd that's crazy as hell. I would definitely go for the new part in that scenario. I know the China stuff is not friendly with our American cars but things like that are worth just buying new if the yard is overpriced.

They really should consider there prices for cars 1996 and earlier having different prices. I don't want to pay the same thing as the guy pulling from a 2007 BMW. If KBB say our cars are worth 1k don't charge me 13% of its value for a few used parts. Sheesh

[bdiermeier]

They really should consider there prices for cars 1996 and earlier having different prices. I don't want to pay the same thing as the guy pulling from a 2007 BMW. If KBB say our cars are worth 1k don't charge me 13% of its value for a few used parts. Sheesh

I actually never thought about it this way, that's a really good point. I think the issue with that though is once you get into older parts, they might try to raise prices due to them being harder to find. Especially with values increasing on some 1980s cars (Malibus, Monte Carlos, etc), it becomes tough for them to set a "Standard" price based on the year alone.

[SegaGT]

I agree with you about the prices Moonkilla.
They might have done you a favor though with the injectors.
They are a bad design as used in the 3300 prone to shorting out as the coil deteriorates.
They are the Achilles heel of this otherwise reliable engine (well that and the CPS).

You will find 3800 folks use JY injectors all the time for their builds, They can also be professionally cleaned as well.

When the coil deteriorates and changes value (as in our 3300 injectors) there is no rebuilding them.
I also believe in changing injectors as a (tested) set so for all these reasons, I don't think you lost out at all.

On the flip side the MAF sensor you got alone is worth what you paid, the rest was gravy! I got a new defective one once that gave me fits.
The ignition module and coils were also a good score! Having good spares can help you diagnose a problem and buy you time to get a new replacement when needed!

If you don't have an ohm meter, now is the time to get one. A lot of these things (coils, injectors) can be tested and you can get a better feel for the health of your current and spare parts.

[Keiths1976]

See moonkilla I agree with this 100% . I think they rip all of us off . I recall a few years ago parts weren't this high at all . My yard will charges 3.99 a injector I think a core charge is added to that . I understand inflation trust me so a 1972 Chevy c-20 headlight bezel was 45 bucks ?!?!?! . But go on line and get them a lot less . I think we have a problem as our cars age and turn antique they feel to charge more cause the rarity . I told moonkilla few times grab what you think you need those parts you won't see again fuel injectors ,sensors, brackets cause you won't find or hear about the 3300 in a yard in a few years . Today I'm off to the yard today

[turbokinetic]

LKQ is the highest priced JY around. I avoid them if at all possible. Pull-A-Part is much more reasonable.

[Moonkilla1]

I agree with you about the prices Moonkilla.
They might have done you a favor though with the injectors.
They are a bad design as used in the 3300 prone to shorting out as the coil deteriorates.
They are the Achilles heel of this otherwise reliable engine (well that and the CPS).

You will find 3800 folks use JY injectors all the time for their builds, They can also be professionally cleaned as well.

When the coil deteriorates and changes value (as in our 3300 injectors) there is no rebuilding them.
I also believe in changing injectors as a (tested) set so for all these reasons, I don't think you lost out at all.

On the flip side the MAF sensor you got alone is worth what you paid, the rest was gravy! I got a new defective one once that gave me fits.
The ignition module and coils were also a good score! Having good spares can help you diagnose a problem and buy you time to get a new replacement when needed!

If you don't have an ohm meter, now is the time to get one. A lot of these things (coils, injectors) can be tested and you can get a better feel for the health of your current and spare parts.

I think I just learned my lesson David


Thank you Sega for that valuable information. So In your reply on this thread

http://www.a-body.net/forums/showthr...233#post144233

you mentioned having ACCEL injectors and MSD coils. I was looking for these brands on Rock auto and couldn’t find either brand, could you share a link if available from where you purchased these items? I am also interested on the your spark plug wire, they look sweet and im sure they are top notch for our motors.

I started to put together a preventative maintenance cart with Rock Auto for Rusty a few days ago, have a look, make a suggestions and add things that you would get (anyone can chime in on this). Here is my list so far…




the 4X caliper Repair kits are so that I can try my hand at a reman. The goal is to pick up 2 calipers at the yard repair them, then repair mine and sell.

Any information you can share about your 3300 would be great. (maybe Start a "Everything 3300" thread we can post part numbers, repairs, troubleshooting guides and detailed "how to" guides. just an idea

I was thinking about sending you this through a private msg but then how much would that help the next guy.


Thank you,
Carlos

[CorvairGeek]

The U-Pull-It types can be fantastic, like what I have here in S. Idaho and Gulfport (when I was in MS years ago). The prices are posted and there is no non-sense. The U-Pull-It adventure appeals to the OCD/Gambler/Addict in me looking for a score at pennies on the dollar, otherwise I'll buy new (if available).

I can remember standard JYs (20+ years ago) wanting more for parts than they were new from the dealer. I quit dealing with them back then. Regular type JYs don't want our type of business anyway (IMHO). They sell the big items commercially and everything else is crushed.

[lemons bob]

I've learned to do a little research before buying stuff at the u-pull yards. What I've found is that certain parts on these a-bodies are cheaper new than what you can get them at the junk yards for. The main reason is that they have a generic price for the part for every car, so while a brake caliber for one of our cars for less than $20 at any parts store, you'll pay over $100 for a lot of other cars, so the u-pull it price them at a price that is cheaper for them but way more for us. Injectors I can see being the same thing.

Lately when I go there it is for stuff that you just can't get new, or are expensive and hard to find, like the front sway bar.

[Drop Top Olds]

My only comment is I would still "bite the bullet" on injectors, and get them from the yard only if they are GM. The generic auto parts injectors fit "multiple applications" and may not deliver the correct AF (air-fuel) ratio. I would pay the price and have an injector shop bring them back to spec. There are some websites that list the fuel delivery rate on the injectors for specific part numbers.

David picked up a set of injectors for me on a yarding trip that are off a 2.8 and very very close to the fuel rate of my original injectors. I think they were somewhere around $8-$10 a piece, so $50 to $60 for a set. Then about $110 to have a shop clean them and match the flow rates. It's expensive, but its the best option in my opinion.

[Peoria Man]

...made me want to wear my grandpa knee high socks and walkout with 12 injectors next time as payment for my sorrows lol

Based on what I see, I think most injectors leave the yard in people's pockets. Its obvious when the guy in front of you at the exit has enormous, bulging pockets. Bonus points if there's a big wet spot of gasoline. At one yard, they went through a period of time making people empty their pockets on the way out; must've decided to crack down I suppose.

[Peoria Man]

And what did I learn from this thread? That LKQ has their inventory listed online. I did not know that!! Took a bit of searching but finally I figured out how to find it. Pick-n-Pull's inventory page was easy; this one took a little maneuvering to find the page. Thanks man!

[SexySilhouette]

LKQ just started doing that a while back, adding pics too is a bonus. WHen they first started doing it here in Austin, you'd see Buick Contours, Chrysler Astros, Ford Stratus, ect.

[Century7667]

My only comment is I would still "bite the bullet" on injectors, and get them from the yard only if they are GM. The generic auto parts injectors fit "multiple applications" and may not deliver the correct AF (air-fuel) ratio. I would pay the price and have an injector shop bring them back to spec. There are some websites that list the fuel delivery rate on the injectors for specific part numbers.

David picked up a set of injectors for me on a yarding trip that are off a 2.8 and very very close to the fuel rate of my original injectors. I think they were somewhere around $8-$10 a piece, so $50 to $60 for a set. Then about $110 to have a shop clean them and match the flow rates. It's expensive, but its the best option in my opinion.

I agree completely! This is the way to go. I paid $108 drive out to have my multec-II injectors done this week. Got great results last time around. I may pick up some spares while they are still available.

Ken T.